Governor Janet Mills signaled in January 2026 that she would not block legislation authorizing online casino gaming in Maine. While the measure paves the way for the state to permit residents to participate in casino-style wagering online, perhaps as soon as 2026, there is still no timetable for when online casino games will launch in Maine.
This guide details the latest updates and what users can expect from the Maine online casino industry, including which regulator will oversee gambling and which casinos could begin operating in the state.
Maine online casinos: When will Maine have online casinos?
LD 1164 was one of many bills held by Gov. Janet Mills for consideration in January. LD 1164 is set to become law 90 days after the state House session ends. The session concluded on April 17.
With Gov. Janet Mills allowing LD 1164 to pass, online casinos under the control of the Wabanaki Nations could have launched as legal operators in Maine in July 2026, making it the eighth state to authorize regulated iGaming.
Even though the official launch date has passed, Maine online casinos will need additional time, with officials hoping to go live in either late 2026 or by early 2027. Until then, regulators will finalize official rules for the online casino industry before awarding licenses to operators, with up to four Maine online casino platforms earning the right to set up shop.
Maine online casinos information
Minimum gambling age
21+
Regulatory authority
Maine Gambling Control Unit
Current gambling law status
Land-based, online sports betting
Status of online casino Maine legalization
Legal, awaiting final regulations and launch
Potential real-money casino operators
DraftKings Casino, BetMGM Casino, FanDuel Casino, Golden Nugget Casino
Brick-and-mortar casinos
Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway Bangor, Oxford Casino Hotel & Sportsbook
Are online casinos legal in Maine right now?
While LD 1164 legalized Maine online casinos, they didn't go live in the state in July. Rather, they might go live by the end of 2026 or early 2027. Before awarding up to four Maine online casino licenses, state regulators need to finalize rules and bylaws for the industry and then review and vet any interested iGaming operators.
This is all to ensure that any licensed entity abides by strict regulations that protect online casino users. That includes security measures to verify ages and identities, as well as protections for personal and financial information.
Latest Maine online gambling news
The countdown is on for the launch of Maine online casinos, which officials hope will go live by early 2027. Here's a glimpse into how the state got here:
June 2026
The Gambling Control Unit held a meeting on June 16 at Hollywood Casino in Bangor, Maine.
Caesars confirmed that it will be part of Maine's online casino market.
April 2026
Maine Governor Janet Mills signed a bill on April 6 that bans sweepstakes casinos from operating in the state. It establishes four civil penalties against any actions related to unlawful conduct. Bill 2007 states that the ban "impacts online games or contests that use a dual-currency system of payment and that simulate casino-style gaming. Violators of the bill can face fines of $10,000 to $100,000. In addition, the bill says that if anyone is found to operate or promote an online sweepstakes game that also holds a license with the Gambling Control Unit or Gambling Control Board, the licensing entity will be revoked.
A bill approved by a Maine legislative committee would bar sports bettors from using credit cards to make deposits. However, the door remains open for iGaming. Democratic State Rep. Marc Malon sponsored the bill. "Since coming online, sports betting has become a pervasive part of American culture," said Malon. "Although it has been economically successful, we want to make sure that we establish reasonable safeguards so that Mainers can participate without falling prey to addiction ..." full story.
March 2026
Legislation banning the operation of websites offering casino-style games based on sweepstakes has been approved by a Maine legislative committee ... full story.
February 2026
The operator of one of Maine's commercial physical gaming establishments is trying to convince a federal court to vacate the law on constitutional grounds ... read more.
With Maine online casinos expected to launch within the year, a new bill provides more safeguards for state residents who may struggle with gambling addiction ... full report.
January 2026
Churchill Downs, owner of the land-based Oxford Casino, filed suit against Maine Gambling Control Unit director Milt Champion over legislation that legalized Maine online casinos with exclusivity for the state's tribes. Churchill noted that the state legislature "blessed a race-based monopoly" for iGaming in the state, with LD 1164 delivering a "gut-wrenching blow" to Maine businesses, including land-based casinos. The suit says that Maine should give everyone a chance to offer legal online casinos in Maine "without regard to race or citizenship."
Milt Champion, executive director of the Maine Gambling Control Unit, told the Veterans and Legal Affairs committee that he would put together a staff for the online casino rulemaking process once the new law goes into effect, likely in late 2026 or early 2027. He emphasized a belief that turning around the industry's rules and regulations could be "relatively quick," setting up the launch of Maine online casinos by the beginning of 2027.
Speaking at the ICR Conference in Orlando, Rush Street Interactive President Kyle Sauers indicated that the Maine online casino industry "would fit really, really well for us and one where we could see a lot of success, potentially partnering with a tribe." Owner of online casinos BetRivers and PlaySugarHouse, Rush Street believes that the success of BetRivers specifically makes it a prime partner in Maine. Rush Street currently offers online casino gaming in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Delaware.
Legislative Document 1164, which legalizes Maine online casinos, is enacted into law after Gov. Janet Mills allowed it to pass without her signature.
July 2025
Gov. Janet Mills announced that she was tabling 61 bills for the remainder of the year, including LD 1164 to legalize online casinos in Maine, creating fear that Mills would veto the bill once she returned for the 2026 session in January.
June 2025
The House and Senate sign off on LD 1164, advancing the bill to the desk of Gov. Janet Mills for approval and official legalization of Maine online casinos.
The Department of Public Safety's Gambling Control Unit sends out a letter calling sweepstakes casinos and social casinos illicit iGaming
March 2025
Lawmakers introduced LD 1164 to legalize online casinos in Maine and referred it to the Veterans and Legal Affairs committee.
2024
April: The state House of Representatives pulls the plug on LD 1777, ending all hopes of Maine legalizing online casinos in 2024. The House initially voted against passage, but the Senate revived the proposal with a vote to request reconsideration. However, the House again rejected the bill by a five-vote margin.
January: Lawmakers consider proposed legislation, LD 1777, that would authorize Maine online casino gaming under the exclusivity of tribes in the state. The bill faces opposition from Maine's two land-based casinos, while Gov. Janet Mills said she would veto any proposal that would authorize state-regulated online casinos.
2023
November: Legal online sports betting goes live in Maine with two operators, DraftKings Sportsbook and Caesars Sportsbook.
What Maine's online casino law actually sets up
According to the bill that was enacted into law, each of the four state's Wabanaki Nations tribes can partner with commercial operators to offer Maine online casino platforms. That includes the Penobscot Nation, Passamaquoddy Tribe, Mi'kmaq Nation and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians.
Each licensee will be taxed at an 18% tax rate that officials project could generate around $100 million in annual revenue. The Maine Gambling Control Unit would oversee the industry, with members appointed by the governor.
As for what kind of casino games online users can expect, incoming mobile casinos in Maine should offer an array of formats, including popular games such as:
Slots
Blackjack
Craps
Roulette
Baccarat
Live dealer games
Game shows
Who regulates online gambling in Maine?
The Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU) was created in 2004, operating within the Department of Public Safety, in preparation for the first land-based casino, Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway Bangor, to open in fall 2005.
While the Maine Gambling Control Board oversees and regulates operations of land-based slot machines and table games in casinos, the MGCU is responsible for licensing and rules for mobile sports betting in the state, which will likely carry over to Maine online casinos.
As such, the MGCU will finalize Maine online casino regulations, including requirements for operators to offer secure payment methods, firewalls, geolocation technology, responsible gambling tools, and age and user verification measures to ensure that all Maine online casino users have their personal and financial information protected from potential fraudulent activity while promoting responsible gambling.
What to expect once Maine online casinos go live
When Maine online casino operators do go live, eligible users can expect to encounter several key features that are typically required by state regulators.
Signing up with Maine online casinos
For starters, when signing up and creating an account, each customer will need to provide a few pieces of personal information, including their full name, mailing address, phone number and Social Security number. Each Maine online casino uses this info to confirm users' identity and eligibility to play at the top online casinos.
By law, eligible customers must be at least 21 years old and otherwise eligible while also located within state lines.
Geolocation technology used by casino apps
To confirm player locations, casino apps use geolocation technology. That means users on mobile apps will need to share location services with the Maine online casino of their choice, while desktop players will be required to install geolocation software, which takes only a few minutes and is provided via pop-up notifications by operators.
Connecting preferred payment methods for deposits and withdrawals
Once approved, customers can connect their preferred payment methods, such as debit cards, online banking and digital wallet options like PayPal and Venmo, to make real-money deposits and begin exploring casino games with the best odds, as some online casinos offer better odds than others for some games.
Users should be sure to review which payment methods are accepted by their favorite Maine online casinos, as they can vary.
Popular deposit methods include:
Online banking transfer
Debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.)
PayPal
Venmo
Apple Pay
Responsible gambling tools
Users should also become familiar with the array of responsible gambling tools operators are required to offer their customers to help them stay within their financial means and keep Maine online casinos a form of entertainment rather than a reliable source of income.
Among the typical offerings are some variations of the following, which users can find within the responsible gaming section of their favorite Maine online casinos:
Deposit limits: Set limits on how much is deposited into an account on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
Loss limits: Set daily, weekly or monthly limits on how much is lost playing online casino games.
Wager limits: Set limits on how much is bet each day, week or month.
Time limits: Limit how much time, from one to 23 hours, is spent playing at Maine online casinos each day.
Cooling-off periods: Also called "time-outs," cooling-off periods allow users to temporarily suspend their accounts for a preset period of time that varies by operator. Customers cannot deposit or make wagers during this time and must wait out the preset period before returning to gameplay.
Self-exclusion: All licensed online casinos in Maine should allow users to place themselves on a self-exclusion list, which customers can access via their accounts. Like time-outs, customers must wait out the predetermined timeframe and then apply for reinstatement.
Reality checks: Most online casinos let users turn on alerts that appear as pop-up notifications to let players know how long they've been gambling.
Account transaction history: Customers can go into their accounts and see the history of their gambling activity, including how much they've deposited, wagered, and lost. This tool could provide insight into potential trends that may indicate if a gambling problem is looming.
Possible online casinos coming to Maine
The law allows for each of Maine's four Wabanaki Nations tribes to partner with an online casino operator. While nothing is set in stone about which platforms will open up shop in the state, there are a few brands that could look to expand into Maine, and particularly well-established online casinos, including:
DraftKings Casino: One of two companies with a sportsbook in Maine, DraftKings is already partnered with the Passamaquoddy Tribe, giving DraftKings Casino a clear path into the state. Along with quality online casino games in its arsenal, DraftKings Casino users also enjoy a shared wallet that connects their daily fantasy sports and sports betting accounts. Read more about the operator in the DraftKings Casino review.
BetMGM Casino: Another brand that is considered an industry leader, BetMGM Casino brings not only a name synonymous with legalized gambling but also one of the deepest libraries of online casino games in the industry, particularly shining in the slots department with more than 2,000 titles. Find more information by reading the review of the BetMGM Casino app.
FanDuel Casino: Like DraftKings, FanDuel Casino has surged to the top of the list of leading online casinos with a shared wallet that connects to DFS and sports betting accounts and a number of casino games online that players won't find anywhere else. Learn all there is to know about the operator in the review of the FanDuel Casino app.
Golden Nugget Casino: While sharing many of the same games as many of the top online casinos, Golden Nugget stands out with live dealer titles, offering players a number of ways to play blackjack, roulette, baccarat and more with a live host who interacts with players and brings the atmosphere of in-person casino gambling to the comfort of your own home. Find more information in the review of the Golden Nugget casino online.
Interested Mainers could look at to see what the iGaming market looks like in these states for a preview of what it could look like in Maine when it goes live.
Casinos in Maine that you can visit in person
While Maine online casinos have yet to launch, and eligible gamblers can enjoy online sportsbooks, that is not all that the state has to offer, thanks to two land-based casinos in Maine, both of which provide access to plenty of popular slots and table games.
Land-based casinos in Maine
Casino
Location
Hours
Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway Bangor
500 Main St, Bangor, ME 04401
8 a.m.-2 a.m.
Oxford Casino Hotel & Sportsbook
777 Casino Way, Oxford, ME 04270
Open 24 hours
Responsible gaming resources in Maine
Maine is in a state of legal gambling expansion after launching online sports betting in the fall of 2023 and soon adding online casinos. Of course, many are concerned that such growth could lead to higher rates of problem gambling. Fortunately, Maine does not lack in support, offering residents a number of resources and help for those who suffer from a gambling addiction.
Bettors must be 21 years or older and otherwise eligible to register and place wagers at online casinos when Maine launches its market. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please seek free assistance from trained professionals such as the Problem Gambling Help Network.
Currently, no. Legal online casinos are not yet live in Maine, meaning any platform offering casino-style games is operating illegally and is unregulated by Maine regulators.
Will Maine legalize online casinos in the future?
Gov. Janet Mills allowed LD 1164 to pass in January 2026, effectively legalizing Maine online casinos. However, there is still plenty of work to be done before operators launch, such as finalizing rules and regulations for the Maine online casino industry.
This is to ensure that all Maine online casinos protect the personal and financial information of their users through age and identity verification, location verification, and various security and firewall measures to provide security against potential fraudulent activity.
When will Maine online casinos launch?
Officials hope that Maine online casinos will launch by early 2027.
Who will run Maine online casinos?
The Maine Gambling Control Unit will oversee and regulate Maine online casinos.
Who regulates online gambling in Maine?
All legal online gambling activities are regulated by the Maine Gambling Control Unit.
What is the legal gambling age in Maine?
Individuals can legally gamble at casinos and sportsbooks in Maine if they are at least 21 years old and otherwise eligible.
What gambling apps are legal in Maine?
As it stands, Maine features DraftKings Sportsbook and Caesars Sportsbook. With up to four online casino licenses available in the state, it's likely those two brands will fill half of the field, while the other two slots could be taken by some of the other top online casinos in the country, including BetMGM Casino, FanDuel Casino and Golden Nugget Casino.
Is online gambling taxable in Maine?
Yes. All gambling winnings must be reported on federal and Maine state income tax returns, regardless of the amount. Winnings are considered taxable income by the IRS and should be reported as "other income."
Can I use BetMGM in Maine?
Currently, BetMGM Casino is not licensed and operational in the state. But with up to four Maine online casino licenses available, the BetMGM Casino app could make an effort to expand its brand into the state.
Is DraftKings available in Maine?
Yes. Eligible gamblers in Maine can currently bet with DraftKings Sportsbook, which is licensed and regulated in the state. DraftKings Casino could likely join the Maine online casino market once the industry goes live, thanks to a preexisting partnership with the Passamaquoddy Tribe.
Our editorial team's selections for "the best online casinos in Maine" are based on independent editorial analysis, not on operator payments. We evaluate licensed operators across criteria, including bonus value and transparency, wagering requirements, payout reliability, customer support, and responsible gaming practices. Rankings reflect our team's opinion at the time of review and may be updated periodically.
