Is Online Gambling Legal in Maine?
Online gambling covers a wide range of gaming types including casino games, Maine sports betting, horse racing, lottery, and more. Find more information on the legal status of each type of online gambling below.
Sports Betting in Maine
Online sports betting was recently legalized in Maine, opening the door to apps and online sportsbooks in the state. As of June 2023, betting has not yet gone live and it looks like bettors will have to wait until late in the NFL season or possibly even after the season for sportsbooks to launch.
Casinos in Maine
Maine online casino gambling is not legal and it is unclear when that might change. Casino games like roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and more are illegal to play online in the state of Maine.
Horse Racing in Maine
Betting on horse races is fully legal and there are online options available to Maine residents. Bettors can bet on races in-person at racetracks in the state, at brick-and-mortar casinos, or online via various horse-racing-specific apps and sites.
Maine Lottery
Although the lottery is legal in Maine and there is a state lottery, there is no online play option. This reflects the historically strict Maine gambling laws when it comes to online play.
Poker in Maine
Online poker, like other casino games, is illegal in Maine. Players may be able to access some cash games legally via global poker sites.
A History Of Gambling in Maine
Maine gambling laws mean that there are very few casinos in Maine and limited options for bettors. Still, a lot of progress towards less strict gaming laws has been made in the Pine Tree State in the past decades.
In 1950, Scarborough Downs opened as the first racetrack in the state, offering legal betting opportunities. In 1974, Maine was late to the party in establishing a state lottery, but it did join neighboring states in this trend and the lottery remains legal and operable today.
In 1988, a law was passed in Maine that allowed for casinos to launch on tribal reservations. Unfortunately, this law has been changed and casinos are not legal on tribal land in Maine. In 2005, a huge leap forward was made when the state gave the legal go-ahead for retail casinos in Maine Oxford Casino and Hollywood Casino in Bangor, ME are currently operating today. These two casinos currently offer the only legal casino gambling in Maine.
Bills were introduced in 2020 and 2021 to legalize Maine casinos online, but the bills failed to advance through the legislative process.
Online Casino Games Expected To Launch in ME
If and when Maine casinos online come to fruition, you can expect to see the following games:
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Online Slots Slot machines are central to the casino experience, and online slots are a very popular option in areas where legal online gambling exists. Slot machines are simple and easy to play, and online slots are infinitely customizable for fun, exciting new slot games. -
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Online Poker Online casino gambling sites that are live in other states offer online poker as one of their primary games. Both video poker and games with dealers are available online, with plenty of options for tournaments and fun ways to play. Expect poker to be among the top games on the best Maine online casinos if online betting goes live in the state. -
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Lottery There is already a state lottery that is legal in Maine, but if online casinos are launched, we could see additional lottery options become available with plenty of ways to play online. Other states have online lottery options that allow gamblers to play from the comfort of their home whenever they are feeling lucky. -
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Online Roulette Roulette is a classic casino gaming staple that can be found in online casino gambling and retail casinos alike. Plenty of variations to the game exist and one nice thing about online casinos is that such variations can all exist on one platform. -
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Online Blackjack Blackjack is generally the most popular casino game, so you can bet on it being available if online casinos go live in Maine. Blackjack is infinitely customizable, with tons of options to tweak the game. You'll probably find multiple different blackjack games on the best Maine online casino sites. -
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Live Dealer Games Online casino gaming can never quite replicate the experience of visiting a casino in person, but certain features such as live dealer games can help. A lot of online gamers will be happy with video poker games, slots, and more, but some people want to feel like they are really in on the action and that's why online casinos tend to offer a selection of live dealer games.
Retail Casinos in Maine
Retail casinos have been up and running in Maine since 2005. That year, Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway opened in Bangor, ME. Seven years later, another retail casino called Oxford Casino joined the party.
With Maine being a relatively small state geographically, these two casinos are immensely popular among the state's residents, many of who regularly travel for weekend trips and short vacations to play some games.
This casino, which is owned by Penn National Gaming, includes a 152-room hotel onsite and two restaurants, Epic Buffet and Take 2. The casino is situated centrally in Bangor, ME, just one mile from the Bangor Municipal Golf Course and nearby to the historical home of author Stephen King. Hollywood Casino is home to Maine's online live poker room. The room has four tables and offers Omaha and Texas Hold'em games.
Oxford Casino is owned and operated by Churchill Downs Inc. The casino features 27,000 square feet of gaming space, as well as a four-story hotel with 107 rooms. It was originally owned by Black Bear Development, but was sold to Churchill Downs Inc for $160 million in 2013.
Can I Gamble Online in Maine?
Some online gambling in Maine is legal, but casinos in Maine are yet to be legalized online. Bettors can wager on horse racing online, as well as play daily fantasy sports via apps like DraftKings or FanDuel. While the lottery is available to play in person, there are no online lottery options legalized yet in Maine. Some global online poker sites are legal, though this is more of a legal loophole than a form of gambling that was legalized in Maine.
Maine Online Casino Laws
Bills were introduced in both 2020 and 2021 that would have legalized Maine online casino gambling, but neither bill managed to gain much headway. Both bills either failed to move forward in the legislative process or were vetoed by the governor. It is unclear when the next bill to attempt to legalize online casinos in Maine will be introduced.
Sweepstakes Casinos in Maine
Sweepstakes casinos are a way of playing your favorite online casino games for free, with the chance to win prizes that include real cash. Sweepstakes games use virtual coins or tokens to allow you to play casino games. You may be randomly awarded or given bonuses in the form of other tokens that can be redeemed for cash prizes. Online sweepstakes casinos are legal in 49 states (all but Washington).
Social Casinos in Maine
The terms social casino and sweepstakes casino are sometimes used interchangeably, and the difference between the two is not always clear. With both options, you won't need to pay any money to play online casino games, and there will be a chance of winning tokens that can be redeemed for cash prizes. Social casino sites are sometimes intertwined with social networking and include a user profile and options to interact with other players.
When Will Online Casinos be Legal in Maine?
It looks like we will have to wait until at least 2024 to see additional legislative efforts to legalize online casinos in Maine. Proponents of online casino gaming note the massive tax revenue that could be generated by the industry, and this has intrigued some bipartisan support from lawmakers in the past.
It is also worth noting that Barstool owner PENN National Gaming also owns and operated Hollywood Casino Bangor. Barstool is one of the leading online gambling platforms in the country, so there is certainly a noteworthy party interested in getting legal casino games going in Maine already with a strong foothold in the state.
Who Would Regulate Maine Online Casinos?
If Maine casinos online were legalized, it is likely that the Maine Gambling Control Board would be responsible for oversight and regulation. Meanwhile, the Maine State Lottery may be responsible for regulating online lottery gaming. The legal age for gambling in Maine is currently 21, and that is unlikely to change.
Can I Visit Offshore Online Casinos?
If you find a site online that allows players from Maine to gamble money on casino games, it is from an offshore site. These sites are unregulated and they are not licensed by the state. We don't recommend using offshore gambling sites because they could have shady practices and lack integrity. Putting your hard-earned money in the hands of sites like this is not a great idea.
Responsible Gambling in Maine
It is always important to play responsibly, and if you or anyone you know is struggling with problem gambling, there are plenty of resources available. The Maine Council on Problem Gambling is one of the top resources for people in the Pine Tree State.
If you're having an emergency, you can contact 1-800-GAMBLER for live support 24/7. Make sure to only bet money that you can afford to lose, and to set and adhere to responsible limits for yourself.
Casinos and Online Casinos in Maine
Are There Casinos in Maine?
There are currently only in-person options for casino gambling in Maine. The two Maine casinos that are currently operable are Hollywood Casino in Bangor, ME, and Oxford Casino. There are no Maine online casino options as of June, 2023.
What is the Largest Casino in Maine?
Oxford Casino Hotel has 28 table games and 970 slot machines, which is the most of either in the state. Hollywood Casino Bangor offers more hotel rooms than Oxford.
Do Maine Casinos Have Hotels?
Yes, both Oxford Casino Hotel and Hollywood Casino Bangor feature hotels onsite. Oxford features 107 rooms while Hollywood has 152 rooms.
Are Online Casinos Legal in Maine?
No, Maine online casinos are currently illegal, and it could stay that way for some time. There has been legislation introduced by lawmakers in the past to get Maine casinos online, but nothing has passed yet.
What Maine Casinos Will Get an Online License?
It is not currently clear when exactly we will see Maine online casino options. The absolute earliest we could see a law passed to legalize online casinos in Maine would be 2024, but that is not particularly likely. We will have to see what lawmakers decide about the future of Maine gambling laws.
Will I Need to be a Maine Resident to Gamble Online?
It is not clear yet what the laws that legalize online casino games in Maine will require of people to play. It is possible that anyone over 21 who is physically within Maine state lines will be able to download a casino app, set up an account, and play online.
Is Any Kind of Online Gambling Legal in Maine?
You can currently bet on horse racing in Maine, and a law was just passed to legalize online sports betting in the state, so we will see that go live soon. The lottery is currently only available in person and no casino games can be played online in the state.
What Type of Lottery Games are Legal in Maine?
The Maine state lottery offers several fun and exciting ways to play, although none of the options are available online. There is Powerball, Mega Millions, Lucky For Life, and a large array of scratch ticket options.
Will I Need to Pay Taxes on my Gambling Winnings?
It's too early to say what the tax laws will be regarding winnings made when gambling online in Maine. Currently, gambling winnings that constitute taxable income are taxed in Maine at a rate of 7.15%. That could extend to online gambling winnings or there could be a separate law passed for taxes on online winnings.
Casinos in Maine FAQ
Author
Adam Wernham has over eight years of professional copywriting experience. Growing up in the Bay Area, Adam developed strong ties to local teams including the Giants, Warriors, and 49ers. His passion for sports and writing make him a strong voice on all things sports betting and a great asset to the BetMaine staff.