Maine Governor Janet Mills is facing a pivotal decision that could shape the state’s gambling landscape as lawmakers begin a new legislative session.
The session activates a three-day window for Mills to act on approximately 60 bills that have remained unsigned since last summer.
Among them is LD 1164, a proposal that would legalize online casino gaming through exclusive agreements with the Wabanaki tribes.
Once the clock starts, Mills can veto the legislation or allow it to become law without her signature.
A bill shaped by past resistance and compromise
LD 1164 passed during a special legislative session after initially being tabled in the Senate.
It survived placement on the Special Appropriations Table, where many bills fail to advance.
The legislation would grant the four Wabanaki tribes exclusive rights to offer online blackjack, poker and slot-style games.
The state would collect an 18 percent tax on online casino revenue under the proposal.
Regulatory and economic concerns surface
The Maine Gambling Control Board has urged Mills to veto the bill, citing concerns about fairness and economic impact.
MGCB Chairman Steven Silver warned that excluding the state’s two existing casinos could lead to job losses and reduced tax revenue.
“Granting the tribes a monopoly and cutting out the casinos… is going to have adverse tax consequences,” Silver said.
The board estimates that up to 200 casino jobs could be lost if online gambling is legalized without broader participation.
Public opinion and national pressure
A recent poll conducted by Lake Research Partners found that 64 percent of Maine residents oppose legalizing online casinos.
The survey also showed that 51 percent of voters would be less likely to support a lawmaker who backed iGaming.
National organizations opposing online casinos argue that legalization increases addiction risks and places gambling on personal devices.
“If Maine allows iGaming to become law, the state will stand out as an outlier,” said Jason Gumer of the National Association Against iGaming.
As Mills deliberates, her decision is expected to resonate beyond Maine, influencing similar debates nationwide.
