Maine poll reveals major opposition against online casinos
The bill to legalise online casino gambling in the US state of Maine is facing an uncertain future after a new poll showed strong public opposition and state regulators formally urged the governor to block the proposal. The decision is due before 10 January 2026.
A survey commissioned by the National Association Against iGaming and conducted by Lake Research found that 64 percent of Maine voters oppose legalising online casinos, with nearly half saying they are strongly against the idea.
Only 16 percent of respondents said they support iGaming, while more than half indicated they would be less likely to vote for a political candidate who backs online casino expansion. Opposition was found across party lines, showing a constrained public appetite for the measure.
LD 1164 to legalise online gaming
The bill, known as LD 1164, has already been approved by Maine lawmakers. If enacted, it would allow the state’s four Wabanaki Nations tribes to offer online casino games through partnerships with third-party operators.
The proposed games include blackjack, poker, roulette, and baccarat. Under the legislation, the tribes would be granted exclusive control over internet casino gambling, while Maine’s two commercial casinos, Oxford Casino and Hollywood Casino, would be excluded from the online market.
Supporters argue the bill would strengthen tribal sovereignty and create new revenue streams for the Wabanaki Nations. State projections estimate the measure could generate about $3.6 million in tax revenue by the 2026–27 financial year, with funds earmarked for problem gambling programmes, substance misuse services, and housing initiatives.
Survey echoes regulator’s warning
However, the proposal has drawn strong opposition from regulators and parts of the gaming industry. The Maine Gambling Control Board, which oversees land-based casinos and electronic gaming in the state, voted unanimously to urge Governor Janet Mills (as depicted in the featured image) to veto the bill. In a letter to the governor, the board warned that granting exclusive online casino rights to tribal partnerships could create a monopoly and undermine competition.
Regulators also cautioned that excluding commercial casinos from the online market may cause job losses, estimating that nearly 1,000 employees at Maine’s two casinos could be affected. The board raised additional concerns about consumer protection, arguing that online casinos, which are accessible at all hours, could increase the risk of gambling-related harm if not carefully regulated.
The board also pointed to major regulatory confusion. Under LD 1164, online casino oversight would fall under a different authority than land-based gaming, creating parallel regulatory systems. Officials cited difficulties experienced during the rollout of sports betting as evidence of the risks posed by divided oversight.
Decision before 10 January
Governor Janet Mills now holds the final decision. She has until 10 January 2026 to either sign the bill, veto it, or allow it to become law without her signature. The governor is widely expected to issue a veto, though the legislature could attempt to override such a move with a two-thirds majority in both chambers.
If the bill were to take effect, Maine would become the eighth US state to legalise online casino gambling. Currently, only seven states allow iGaming, and no new state has adopted such legislation since 2023.
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