Maine Sweepstakes Casino Ban Officially Takes Effect

Bettors in Maine saw their gaming options reduced on July 14, as the new Maine sweepstakes casino ban has officially taken effect. Now they’ve got a wait ahead of them for iGaming to arrive in the Pine Tree State.

Maine Legislative Document 2007, which Gov. Janet Mills signed in April, officially enacted a sweepstakes casino ban in Maine. The legislation was set to take effect 90 days after the end of the legislative session, which occurred on April 15. The new law leaves Maine sweepstakes casino players unable to use their accounts, with any unused Gold Coin or Sweepstakes Coins forfeited.

In practice, social casinos were already exiting Maine before the ban took place. Once Mills signed the legislation, Maine sweepstakes casino operators began issuing warnings to their users. Any site still operating in Maine after July 14 would have faced a fine of at least $10,000.

However, the legislation leaves Maine bettors without any form of iGaming for the time being. Maine legalized real-money iGaming in January via LD 1164, but it’s a lengthy process for it to come online.

Why Has the Maine Sweepstakes Casino Ban Taken Effect Now?

During her time in office, Mills has gradually come around to supporting legalized betting in Maine. Her position has been to listen to the four Wabanaki Tribes of Maine, who control all forms of gambling in the state. That led her to approve sports betting in 2023, and it led her to reconsider iGaming in January.

When Mills allowed LD 1164 to become law, she did so only after consulting the tribes. Unlike in most states, Maine law does not automatically permit Native American tribes to operate gaming facilities on their land. Because of a 1980 settlement, the tribes must ask the state for permission, and the state has veto power.

That led to the existing arrangements in Maine, where online sports betting and iGaming are available through the tribes’ partnerships with betting partners. With iGaming legal in July, Mills and Maine legislators wanted to help the tribes by making the Maine sweepstakes casino ban effective at the same time.

When Will iGaming Become Available in Maine?

Currently, Maine will legally permit iGaming on July 29. When it will come online is another question. Since LD 1164 became law, the Oxford Casino has sued to block its implementation. Under the terms of the law, only the Wabanaki tribes can legally offer iGaming in Maine. The Oxford Casino, owned by Churchill Downs, has argued that represents unfair treatment under the law.

That case is still pending, and requests for an injunction have been denied. However, with only two iGaming operators in Maine, there’s little reason for either Caesars or DraftKings to rush its operations. Caesars has begun the process of getting iGaming established in Maine, but DraftKings has made no announcement.

What Options Do Bettors Have Following the Maine Sweepstakes Casino Ban?

Until iGaming comes online in Maine, bettors can play sweepstakes casino games in neighboring New Hampshire. For legal iGaming, the closest state offering real-money options is Massachusetts.

Most likely, the Maine sweepstakes casino ban will lock players out of all forms of gambling besides sports betting until the end of the year. If the Oxford Casino case is decided in favor of the state, iGaming will likely go live in Maine by January 2027.