Maine to legalise online casinos via tribal agreements
Maine will become the eighth state to legalise real-money online casinos after Governor Janet Mills allowed an authorisation bill to pass into law, granting the state’s four federally recognised tribes the exclusive right to partner with a single third-party operator to offer online casino games. The decision reflects broader issues of regulation, tribal authority, and state revenue, and comes as other states consider similar steps.
Governor Janet Mills’ role
Governor Janet Mills cautiously approved the bill, citing concerns over gambling addiction and public health but stressing regulation over prohibition. Passed in June 2025, LD 1164 grants Maine’s four federally recognised tribes exclusive rights to offer online casino gaming through third‑party partnerships. Mills stated that the Maine Gambling Control Unit would establish rules to ensure responsible oversight and economic benefits for tribes. Unlike most states that allow multiple operators, Maine’s approach is limited to tribal partnerships, making it more like Delaware or Rhode Island than New Jersey’s open model.
Mills wrote in her announcement, “I considered this bill carefully, and while I have concerns about the impacts of gambling on public health, I believe that this new form of gambling should be regulated. I am confident that Maine’s Gambling Control Unit will develop responsible rules and standards to hold providers of this new form of gambling accountable while ensuring that Maine’s tribes benefit from its operations.”
Maine’s tribal gaming framework
Maine’s new online casino law gives exclusive rights to the state’s four federally recognised tribes, each permitted to partner with a single operator to offer games. While the framework strengthens tribal control and sets a tightly limited structure, no launch date has been confirmed, as rulemaking, technical setup, and regulatory processes are still pending. The new law excludes the Gambling Control Board from overseeing iGaming, raising concerns about gaps in regulation. Critics argue this arrangement may conflict with Maine law and reduce consumer protections.
In Maine’s iGaming market, one tribe has partnered with Caesars while another has aligned with DraftKings. These early agreements reflect the tribal-exclusive framework of the new law and set the stage for how online casino operations will be structured in the state.
Maine’s two commercial casinos, Oxford and Hollywood, have raised concerns that being excluded from online casino operations could reduce competition and affect jobs. The Gambling Control Board has also cautioned that the tribal-exclusive model may limit consumer choice and weaken its regulatory authority.
However earlier, a new poll shows 64 percent of Maine voters oppose legalising online casinos, with nearly half strongly against. Only 16 percent support iGaming, and over half say they’d be less likely to back candidates favouring expansion.
iGaming landscape in US
In the US, only seven states have legalised real-money online casinos, and four of them operate competitive markets. States with exclusive models restrict choice but make regulation simpler, while competitive markets increase revenue potential but often lead to political disputes.
Ohio, Massachusetts, and Illinois continue to debate iGaming legalisation but have not reached an agreement. Efforts stall due to political opposition, disagreements within the industry, and concerns about social impacts.
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