Quick Legal Status
| Field | Status |
|---|---|
| State | Maine |
| Online Casino Games (iGaming) | Not Legal — LD 1164 (tribal iGaming bill) tabled April 2025 |
| Online Sports Betting | Legal — launched October 17, 2023 |
| Online Poker | Not Legal — falls under iGaming prohibition |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | Legal — DraftKings, FanDuel operate (18+) |
| State Lottery | Yes — Maine State Lottery; mainelottery.com |
| Minimum Gambling Age | 21 casino / sports betting · 18 lottery / DFS |
| Regulatory Body | Maine Gambling Control Unit (maine.gov/dps/mgcu/) |
| Last Legal Update | 2023 — Online sports betting launched October 17, 2023 |
Legal Overview
Maine is a state in transition when it comes to gambling. After years of limited gaming options, the Pine Tree State launched legal online sports betting in October 2023 — giving residents a regulated option for wagering on games. However, online casino gaming (iGaming) remains unlicensed, and a 2025 effort to change that failed in the legislature.
Maine’s gambling history is modest compared to most US states. It has two commercial casinos — Hollywood Casino Bangor and Oxford Casino Hotel — both relatively small. Maine’s four federally recognized tribal nations — the Penobscot Indian Nation, Passamaquoddy Tribe, Maliseet Tribe, and Micmac Tribe — have gaming rights under federal law, though their operations are limited compared to tribal casinos in larger gaming states.
Sports betting in Maine came after years of legislative effort. Governor Janet Mills signed LD 585 into law in May 2022, creating a tribal-centric licensing framework. The state launched retail and online sports betting on October 17, 2023, with DraftKings and Caesars as the primary operators, partnering with the four tribes. For Maine residents who want to play online casino games, no licensed in-state option exists as of 2026. The iGaming bill that would have changed that (LD 1164, 2025) stalled in committee.
What’s Legal in Maine
- Online sports betting: Legal since October 17, 2023. DraftKings and Caesars are the primary licensed operators, partnering with Maine’s four federally recognized tribal nations. Tax rate: 10% on gross gaming revenue. Minimum age: 21.
- Land-based casino gaming: Two commercial casinos — Hollywood Casino Bangor and Oxford Casino Hotel. Both regulated by the Maine Gambling Control Unit.
- Tribal gaming: The Penobscot Indian Nation and Passamaquoddy Tribe operate limited tribal gaming under federal IGRA and Maine-tribal compacts. These are not full commercial casino operations comparable to the two commercial facilities.
- State lottery: Maine State Lottery operates draw games (Powerball, Mega Millions, Lucky for Life), scratch tickets, and Keno to Go.
- Daily Fantasy Sports: Legal; DraftKings and FanDuel operate in Maine. Minimum age: 18 (operator-enforced).
- Harness racing / pari-mutuel: Legal; pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing is permitted.
What’s Not Legal in Maine
- Online casino gaming (iGaming): Not legal. No licensed online casino platforms. LD 1164 (2025) — a tribal iGaming bill proposing a 16% tax rate and tribal-exclusive licensing — was tabled in committee in April 2025 after facing opposition from commercial casino stakeholders.
- Online poker: Not legal as a standalone product; falls under the iGaming prohibition.
Key Legislation
| Year | Law / Event | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Hollywood Casino Bangor opens | First gaming facility in Maine; Penn Entertainment racino |
| 2010 | Voter referendum approves Oxford Casino | Oxford Casino authorized by statewide vote |
| 2012 | Oxford Casino opens | Second commercial casino in Maine (Churchill Downs Inc.) |
| May 2022 | LD 585 signed | Governor Mills signs sports betting legalization; tribal-centric licensing framework |
| October 17, 2023 | Online sports betting launches | DraftKings and Caesars launch statewide via tribal partnerships |
| April 2025 | LD 1164 tabled | Tribal iGaming bill stalls in Joint Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee |
| 2026 | iGaming — no legislation | Online casino gaming remains unlicensed |
Regulatory Structure
Maine’s gambling industry is regulated primarily by the Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU), a division of the Maine Department of Public Safety. The MGCU licenses and regulates commercial casinos, sports betting operators, charitable gaming, and gaming devices. It also administers Maine’s statewide self-exclusion program.
| Authority | Jurisdiction | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU) | Commercial casinos; sports betting; charitable gaming; self-exclusion | maine.gov/dps/mgcu/ |
| Maine State Lottery | State lottery products | mainelottery.com |
Maine Casinos
Maine has two commercial casinos, both modest in scale compared to destination resort casinos in other states.
Hollywood Casino Bangor
Located in Bangor, Hollywood Casino Bangor is a racino — combining casino gaming with harness horse racing. Penn Entertainment developed it and it opened as Maine’s first slots facility in 2005, with table games added in 2012. It holds approximately 700 slot machines, 14 table games, and Maine’s only poker room.
Oxford Casino Hotel
Located in Oxford, Oxford Casino was approved by Maine voters in 2010 and opened in June 2012. Churchill Downs Inc. purchased it in 2013. It features approximately 1,000 slots, 28 table games, a 107-room hotel, and three restaurants.
Tribal Gaming
Maine’s four federally recognized tribal nations — the Penobscot Indian Nation, Passamaquoddy Tribe, Maliseet Tribe (Houlton Band), and Micmac Tribe (Aroostook Band) — have gaming rights under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). Tribal gaming in Maine is limited in scope. The Penobscot Nation operates high-stakes bingo at Indian Island; the Passamaquoddy Tribe operates gaming at Pleasant Point. These are not full commercial casino facilities.
Licensed Online Sports Betting in Maine
Sports betting launched in Maine on October 17, 2023, under a tribal-centric licensing model. The four tribes each partnered with established sportsbook operators to bring legal mobile wagering to the state.
| Tribe | Sportsbook Partner |
|---|---|
| Penobscot Indian Nation | Caesars |
| Maliseet Tribe (Houlton Band) | Caesars |
| Micmac Tribe (Aroostook Band) | Caesars |
| Passamaquoddy Tribe | DraftKings |
DraftKings and Caesars are currently the primary legal sportsbooks available to Maine residents. The minimum age for sports betting is 21.
Offshore Online Casinos for Maine Players
Maine residents who want to play online casino games — slots, blackjack, live dealer tables — have no licensed in-state option. Many Maine players access offshore online casinos in the meantime.
Players in Maine may access offshore online casinos, though these operate outside state regulation. MobileCasinoParty reviews several platforms that accept Maine players, but we strongly recommend using state-licensed platforms where available.
Important: The following operators are not licensed by any US state gaming authority. They operate offshore under international jurisdictions. Offshore casinos are not subject to the same consumer protections as state-licensed operators. Players accept additional risk when using unregulated platforms.
MobileCasinoParty earns commissions from casino referrals through affiliate partnerships. This does not affect our ratings or reviews. Read our full Terms of Use for details.
- Bovada accepts Maine players. Bovada is licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. Read our full Bovada review for details on bonuses, game selection, and payout performance.
- Wild Casino accepts Maine players. Wild Casino is licensed by the Panama Gaming Commission. Read our full Wild Casino review.
- Ignition Casino accepts Maine players. Ignition is licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. Read our full Ignition Casino review.
- Cafe Casino accepts Maine players. Cafe Casino is licensed by the Curacao Gaming Authority. Read our full Cafe Casino review.
- Slots.LV accepts Maine players. Slots.LV is licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. Read our full Slots.LV review.
For a full explanation of how we evaluate offshore platforms, see our casino review process.
Responsible Gambling in Maine
The Maine Gambling Control Unit administers a statewide voluntary self-exclusion program covering licensed casinos and sports betting operators in Maine.
| Resource | Contact |
|---|---|
| Maine 211 (gambling referrals) | Call or text 211 |
| NCPG National Helpline | 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738) |
| NCPG Text | 800GAM |
| Gamblers Anonymous | gamblersanonymous.org |
| Maine self-exclusion (MGCU) | maine.gov/dps/mgcu/ |
- Responsible Gambling Policy — Support resources and helplines
- National Council on Problem Gambling — NCPG national resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is online gambling legal in Maine?
Online sports betting is legal in Maine, launching October 17, 2023. DraftKings and Caesars are the primary licensed operators. Online casino gaming (iGaming) is not legal — no licensed online casino platforms exist in Maine as of 2026. A tribal iGaming bill (LD 1164) stalled in the 2025 legislative session.
Is sports betting legal in Maine?
Yes. Maine launched online and retail sports betting on October 17, 2023. It operates under a tribal-centric model with DraftKings and Caesars as the primary mobile operators. The minimum age is 21.
How many casinos does Maine have?
Maine has two commercial casinos: Hollywood Casino Bangor and Oxford Casino Hotel. Maine’s tribal nations also operate limited gaming under federal law, but these are not full commercial casino facilities.
What tribes operate casinos in Maine?
Maine has four federally recognized tribal nations: the Penobscot Indian Nation, Passamaquoddy Tribe, Maliseet Tribe (Houlton Band), and Micmac Tribe (Aroostook Band). All four partnered with licensed sportsbooks for Maine’s sports betting launch.
Will Maine legalize online casinos?
Maine’s path to legalizing online casinos is uncertain. A 2025 bill (LD 1164) that would have given tribes exclusive rights to operate online casino platforms was tabled in committee. Maine could revisit the issue in future sessions, but no timeline is established.
What is Maine’s gambling helpline?
Maine does not have a dedicated state-branded gambling helpline. Residents can call or text 211 for referrals to problem gambling services. The national NCPG helpline is 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738), available 24/7.
