- The Maine Gambling Control Board asked Governor Janet Mills to veto an approved iGaming bill in the state.
- Bill LD 1164 was approved by the House and Senate back in June, but now awaits a Governor's signature to become law.
- Governor Mills has until Saturday, Jan. 10 to make a decision on the bill.
AUGUSTA, Maine – A unique circumstance in the Pine Tree State sees the Maine Gambling Control Board urging Governor Janet Mills to veto an approved iGaming bill. The board sent a letter on Dec. 17, asking her to veto a bill that would make Maine the eighth state in the country with legal online blackjack and other forms of iGaming.
Bill LD 1164 would allow each of the four state tribes to partner with operators to offer iGaming, which includes online blackjack and other casino games. The state expects to earn $3.6 million in iGaming tax revenue for fiscal year 2026-2027 with a 16% tax rate.
Why Is The Maine Gambling Control Board Requesting A Veto?
In the Maine Gambling Control Board’s letter to Governor Mills, they highlighted four main reasons why she should veto LD 1164. Those four reasons are as listed below.
According to Title 8, Chapter 31 § 1003 of Maine State Law, the Gambling Control Board vests the power to “Regulate, supervise and exercise general control over the ownership and operation of slot machines and table games, the distribution of slot machines and table games and slot machine facilities and casinos.”
Since LD 1164 switches the hands of this power, the board believes it violates Maine law. They also emphasize that the presence of mobile blackjack will lead to job loss at the Oxford and Hollywood casinos in the state.
In terms of addiction concerns, research conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health states that iGaming is 10x more addictive than other forms of gambling. Another concern shows that the bill fails to replenish the expected decrease in tax revenue generated by land-based casinos, which is used to fund education and many other worthy causes in the state.
Because of all of these reasons, the board unanimously voted 5-0 to send a letter requesting the iGaming bill to be vetoed when legislature returns. Governor Mills elected not to take action on the bill prior to last legislative session, so she will have three days to make a decision, beginning on Wednesday, January 7.