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New bill creates additional gambling addiction safeguards in Maine
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.
Maine is looking to launch legal online casinos within the next year, and lawmakers are preparing for the industry's debut by introducing a bill that would create more safeguards for Maine residents who may struggle with gambling addictions. If passed, the bill – LD 2080 – would prohibit the use of credit cards with legal online sportsbooks and, likely, online casinos once they go live.
Proposal would prohibit use of credit cards for online gambling
Introduced by Rep. Marc Malon, LD 2080 would prohibit online gambling platforms in Maine from accepting credit cards as payment methods. While the state still awaits the launch of real money online casino operators, it does feature two online sportsbooks in DraftKings and Caesars.
Interestingly, DraftKings Sportsbook already does not accept credit cards. This proposal would create an industry-wide ban as a way to limit problem gambling in Maine.
In a statement, Malon showed overarching support for the legal Maine sports betting industry, emphasizing how it creates jobs and significant revenue to the state. But, he added, with the sports betting market continuing to grow and with the addition of legal casino games online in the near future, lawmakers "must prioritize measures" to balance the regulated gambling landscape's economic benefits with guardrails to protect Maine residents from gambling addiction and falling into debt.
Malon's proposed bill, he said, "strikes that balance."
Why Maine lawmakers want to ban credit card payments
The announcement about the proposed bill mentioned research that showed allowing credit card payments for online gambling contributes to higher wagering amounts. That, in turn, leads to an increased rate of compulsive gambling and greater financial consequences because individuals can more easily accumulate debt with credit cards.
If lawmakers approve the credit card ban, Maine would join seven other states – including neighboring New Hampshire and Massachusetts – that banned the payment method for online gambling. Once Maine online casinos launch, they'll compete with other neighboring states like NJ online casinos.
The state's Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee will review LD 2080 shortly and likely add an amendment to ensure that it includes language to include banning credit cards with online casinos, which became legal earlier this year and could launch later in 2026.
