A standoff over digital gambling is taking shape in Augusta, with lawmakers returning to face two proposals that could reshape where and how Mainers gamble online.
Tribal iGaming Bill Triggers Regulatory Pushback
At the heart of the debate is LD 1164, a bill that would legalize online casino gaming—but only for the four tribes of the Wabanaki Nations. The bill mirrors Maine’s model for online sports betting, where tribes license operations to major sportsbooks like DraftKings and Caesars. Now it’s on Governor Janet Mills’ desk, and regulators are urging her to kill it.
On December 17, the Maine Gambling Control Board sent a pointed letter asking the governor to veto the bill. Their key concern: the proposal cuts out the state’s two commercial casinos—Oxford Casino and Hollywood Casino—from the online market altogether.
Board Chair Steven J. Silver, speaking for the full board, called the tribal-only structure a “monopoly” that would hurt consumers and cost casino workers their jobs. “Any qualified operator should have the ability to obtain an iGaming license,” Silver wrote. “Cutting out Oxford and Hollywood Casinos entirely… is ill-advised.”
Economic Fallout? Casinos Warn of Job Losses
The most immediate concern for regulators is jobs. Together, Oxford and Hollywood employ close to 1,000 Mainers. Testimony presented to the Gambling Control Board claimed that up to 120 jobs at Oxford Casino alone could be eliminated if the bill becomes law. Hollywood Casino also expects layoffs, though the exact number remains unclear.
Silver emphasized the risk in his letter: “We cannot afford to put 100–200 Mainers out of work.”
Gambling Addiction on the Rise
The board also flagged a spike in problem gambling. Since the launch of online sports betting, self-exclusion requests have jumped from 133 in 2022 to 498—a 275% rise. Regulators worry that making casino games like blackjack and roulette accessible by smartphone could accelerate that trend.
The Clock Is Ticking
Governor Mills didn’t act on LD 1164 before the last session ended. That means she has just three days to make a decision once the Legislature reconvenes on January 7. She can sign the bill, veto it, or let it pass without her signature.
If it goes through, Maine would join seven other states that allow iGaming. The tribes could each partner with one operator, offering digital versions of casino games. The bill would tax revenues at 16%, with funds earmarked for addiction services, veteran housing, and emergency housing relief. State analysts predict $3.6 million in new tax revenue by fiscal year 2026–2027.
Sweepstake Casinos Also Under the Microscope
LD 1164 isn’t the only gambling bill on the docket. Lawmakers are also set to review LD 2007 on January 14—a measure that would ban online sweepstakes casinos that use dual-currency models. The bill proposes steep fines, up to $100,000, for violators. Regulators have already warned Mainers against using these sites, labeling them illegal under current state law.
What It Means for Players
If LD 1164 becomes law, online slots, poker, and table games could soon be just a few taps away—but only through tribal-affiliated platforms. That means players would likely be funneled to national brands like DraftKings or Caesars, rather than homegrown operators tied to existing brick-and-mortar casinos.
The Gambling Control Board sees that as a raw deal for both casino workers and consumers. Whether Governor Mills agrees remains to be seen—but she won’t have long to decide.
