Releasing Maine Sports Betting Rules is Next Step to Launch

• Official expect Maine sports betting to launch between spring 2023 and winter 2024.
• The next steps for launching Maine sportsbooks include rule adoption and approval, licensing approval, and AG approval.

AUGUSTA, Maine – The Maine Gambling Control Unit could release Maine sports betting rules by the end of the year. This is per Executive Director, Milt Champion.

The process to launch sportsbooks in Maine is moving forward, despite expectations on a full year from legalization to launch. This still falls well within the normal range, evident from Kansas’ launch on sports betting in a few months compared to Maryland ongoing, near-two year launch.

Still, Maine must set regulations, undergo public comments, and have the AG’s office review the industry.

Champion explained that the time spent reviewing legal Maine sports betting is looking for “anything that we’re missing that other states are doing”.

Because they are building an entire industry from scratch, the gambling control unit is taking it step by step.

“We’re not trying to put this off. We just want to do it right,” said Champion. “I’m looking basically at a window between April 2023 to January 2024, just to be on the safe side of things.”

However, some of the most important regulations are already locked in with the passing of Maine sports betting bill LD 585.

Maine Sports Betting Regulations

• No betting on in-state college teams and events.
• Tribal operators will have full control of mobile betting.
• 10 land-based gaming establishments will host sportsbooks.
• Sportsbooks must buy a license, that lasts four years.
• Bettors must be 21 or older to place bets in Maine.

The focus of what will be coming out soon will be the partnerships.

“We’re looking at maybe having the applications available here shortly,” said Champion. “So the companies can start working on their applications, get them in.”

The tribal casinos will partner with a sports betting operator. But, there aren’t any restrictions on how many operators can enter the market. In a perfect world, the Micmac, Maliseet, Penobscot, and Passamaquoddy tribes will partner with four different sportsbooks.

However, all could pair with DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, or any other one sportsbook. However, this is an unlikely circumstance.

Maine officials expect to tax roughly $4-6 million from legal sports betting in Maine. At a below-average 10% tax rate, Maine sportsbooks won’t have to send much off to the state government.

News tags: Maine | Milt Champion