Maine inched closer to legalizing online casino gaming, however a major barrier stays.
- LD 1164 requires an 18% tax on online casino gaming operators.
- Gov. Janet Mills could ban the expense, likely ending Maine's chances of legislating iGaming this year.
- The proposition took a winding political road to reach the unique appropriations table.
The state's Senate, accepting the House, positioned approved LD 1164, an iGaming costs, on the "unique appropriations table" Wednesday. The proposal is one of 100 expenses headed to Gov. Janet Mills' desk, the Maine Morning Star reported. Mills has 10 days to sign and enact the iGaming procedure.
However, Mills might veto the bill, and the legislature, which already adjourned, would likely not override it this year. While she hasn't spoken openly about the legislation, Mills hasn't preferred other video gaming initiatives. She shot down 2 sports betting efforts before reaching a compromise to permit legal sportsbooks to run in 2022.
There is already kept in mind opposition to the proposition. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services and the Gambling Control Board Chair testified against the expense, providing issues about issue gaming and economic impacts to in-person casinos. In a state where DraftKings and Caesars run online sports wagering through tribal partnerships, FanDuel, Fanatics, and BetMGM also argued versus the law.
Creating 'economic chance'
LD 1164 is "an act to create financial opportunity for the Wabanaki Nations through internet gaming." Four licenses would go to the Passamaquoddy Tribe, Penobscot Nation, Mi'kmaq Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. The tribes would then partner with iGaming operators.
DraftKings and Caesars both operate online casinos in other U.S. jurisdictions, making them likely candidates to benefit right away from legal iGaming in Maine.
Online gambling establishment business would pay the state an 18% tax rate on their changed gaming revenue. That would generate an approximated $1.8 million in Year 1 and $3.6 million in financial year 2026-2027, according to a financial note added to the expense.
Maine's online sports wagering operators produced over $93.7 million in earnings from more than $835 million in bets given that 2023. The Pine Tree State filled its coffers with over $9 million from the 10% tax rate on sportsbooks.
Windy roadway
Getting LD 1164 to Mills' desk wasn't easy. The House committee killed the bill in April, but it was resurrected during June's unique session, when it was amended to increase the tax rate from 16% to 18%.
After passing your home, the Senate pressed it through without a bulk vote, leaving the House to enact it. Sen. Peggy Rotundo motioned to place the step on the special appropriations table, stalling it while lawmakers were still writing the state spending plan.
Rotundo avoided voting on passing the proposal, leaving it to stop working by one vote, before keeping it alive by voting against a movement to turn down the bill. After Rotundo eliminated it from the unique appropriations table, the Senate finally passed it and moved it along.
