DraftKings Dominates First Sports Betting Month In Maine

The first month of sports betting is in the books for Maine, and DraftKings was the dominating operator. Maine sports betting went live in November, and combined local bettors wagered $37,605,088.02 at DraftKings and Caesars Sportsbook. The Maine sports betting market has started off on a strong note.

DraftKings Dominates Maine Market

According to the sports wagering reports released by the Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU), $30,547,738.33 was wagered at DraftKings. Caesars Sportsbook reported the remaining $7,057,349.69. This places DK as the clear sportsbook market leader in the Pine Tree State.

With betting going live on Nov. 3, operators had 27 days of action available to bettors. The two sportsbooks saw a combined $4,641,496.72 in adjusted gross revenue in those 27 days. With Maine taxing sportsbooks at a 10% rate, the state saw $464,151.27 in taxes for November.

Sports Betting Revenue In Maine: A Triumph

It was a long-fought journey to have sports betting live in Maine. Lawmakers pushed a sports betting bill through both legislative chambers in 2020 but the bill was vetoed by Gov. Janet Mills. More than three years later, a new sports betting measure finally advances with the governor’s approval. Now bettors have access to odds.

Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings gained market access by partnering with local tribes. Caesars was the first operator to gain market access in Maine, partnering with the Penobscot Nation, the Houston Band of Maliseet Indians, and the Mi’kmaq Nation. DraftKings secured a deal with the Passamaquoddy Tribe to gain market access.

Bettors were anticipating the market, with the first day of action reaching $778,735.78 in handle. DraftKings was the more dominant operator from the onset, claiming $664,923.65 of all wagers on day one, 85.3% of the total market.

The Maine market is only expected to continue to grow. The NFL season is heading toward its playoffs, and the NBA, NHL, and college basketball seasons are all in full swing. There are more betting options available for locals for the next few months. This is especially true with the NCAAB March Madness Tournament on the horizon.

With Maine already off to such a good start out the gate, there is no telling what heights the new market can reach.