Legal sports betting is coming to The Pine Tree State. The House and Senate have just approved the LD 553 bill regulating sports betting on June 19th.
It only took two days for the bill to pass, which is not surprising considering it is very straightforward. LD 553 only consists of one sentence, which is “The bill proposes to ensure proper oversight of sports betting.“
The bill has been sent over to Governor Janet Mills, whose signature will pass it into law. However, the governor has decided not to sign the bill and to give it further review until the legislature returns in January 2020. Then, she will have the possibility to sign it into law again.
Land-based sportsbooks
The bill will allow the state’s land-based gaming facilities to apply for sports betting licenses. Afterward, once those licenses are approved, they will open up sportsbooks at their venues.
Venues include the Hollywood Casino and Bangor Raceway, the Oxford Casino and Scarborough Downs Racetrack.
The state’s four tribal casinos will also have the opportunity to apply for a sports betting license, as well as the four off-track betting locations.
Mobile and online sports betting
Mobile sports betting operators will have the possibility to apply for a license in Maine without having to partner up with a brick and mortar establishment. Senator Louis Luchini, who proposed the bill, believes that this will create a free market for Maine online sports betting.
We can probably expect Boston-based Draftkings to be among the first to introduce an online sportsbook in the state. Although the location is not an issue, other operators might jump in on the opportunity to be involved in Maine online sports betting.
What is more, you can use the DraftKings Promo code.
Conclusion
The rules for sports betting in Maine will be similar to those in other states. Only individuals aged 21 or older and physically located in the state will be able to place bets on professional and most collegiate sports. Moreover, betting on college and university events involving Maine will be prohibited.
This makes Maine the third New England state to regulate sports betting, after Rhode Island and New Hampshire.
