Generally, Maine takes a positive and liberal stance towards gambling, many forms of which have been legal in the Pine Tree State for decades. Residents enjoy a wide variety of betting options, including within first-rate casinos, horse racing, poker and state-run lotteries. Unfortunately, online casino and sports betting have not yet followed suit, despite a flurry of activity in the state legislature. Perhaps the striking down of PASPA in 2018 and the introduction of legal Daily Fantasy gameplay in 2017 will lead to the legalization of Maine sports betting as some of its neighbors have.

Gambling Laws in Maine

Gambling laws in Maine differ slightly from those of other states. For example, casinos are welcome — and Maine’s venues are resort-like in their amenities and size — but after the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act, local tribes run high-stakes bingo rooms rather than sanctioned casinos. Despite efforts by lawmakers, no online gambling has yet been legalized to complement on-site options. Several new bills were introduced to this effect in 2019, but so far, only one, LD 553, has managed to stay afloat in the Maine legislature. Daily Fantasy was, however, introduced in 2017, which is a positive sign for Maine’s online betting future.

Most Popular Sports in Maine

Boasting no professional sports franchise teams of their own in-state, Mainers prefer to look regionally for their sports viewing fun, usually following teams based in Boston. However, that does not mean the state lacks in its own options for playing and supporting local sports. College sports, in particular, including football and basketball are quite popular.

Here are the most popular sports and resulting betting markets in Maine:

Football – Maine Black Bears

Based in University of Maine’s Orono campus, the Black Bears football team has a storied past. The team played their first season in 1892. Since then, they have won over fans near and far by playing in the Division I-AA/FCS Playoffs eight times and winning thirteen conference championships. Notable players include Justin Strzelczyk, who went on to play nine seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Basketball – Maine Black Bears

One of University of Maine’s other major teams, Black Bears men’s basketball has been around almost as long as their football counterparts. Formed in 1904, the team now plays in the American East Conference and is coached by Richard Barron.

Hockey – Maine Mariners

A very competitive division of hockey to say the least, the Maine Mariners play just below the NHL in the country’s ECHL Eastern Conference. With long-standing affiliations to the giant clubs of the NHL, New York Rangers, this is one of the most established and well-supported sporting professional outfits in the entire state. Keep up with there action at your favorite online bookie now!

Basketball – Maine Mariners

Representing the University of Maine is the Maine Black Bears basketball team. This squad have gone from strength to strength in recent years. There open and attacking brand of basketball has caught the attention of NBA scouts and put this team firmly in the spotlight of the sports experts and commentators. You can catch them playing most weekends down at the campus stadium under the watchful guidance of coach Amy Vachon.

Local History of Sports Betting

Sports betting has been strictly prohibited in Maine, despite many efforts to legalize and regulate it. Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling against PASPA in 2018, Maine lawmakers have introduced many bills to address sports betting specifically. LD 1348, LD 1515 and LD 1571 are recently proposed bills having to do with sports betting, which were all unfortunately not passed by May 2019. One bill remains on the table: LD 553, “An Act to Ensure Proper Oversight of Sports Betting in the State” and could finally bring about the legalization that many Mainers have been waiting for.

Legal Online Sports Betting Age in Maine

Since sports betting has not yet been legalized in Maine, we cannot say for certain what the legal age will be when the time comes. The regulation will likely follow the state’s other age limits, such as for consumption of alcohol and marijuana, which are legal starting at 21 years of age.

• Sports Betting Age
  There is currently no age, as there is no legal sports gambling in Maine.
• Alcohol Age
  The legal drinking age is 21 in Maine.
• Weed Age
  You can legally smoke marijuana in Maine if you are 21 years of age.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal Outside of the State?

Some of Maine’s New England neighbors have already made major headway in legalizing sports betting, on and offline. Rhode Island was the first in the region to offer betting at a casino, shortly after last year’s PASPA ruling. More than two-thirds of New England also offer Daily Fantasy, including Vermont, New Hampshire and Delaware. Delaware, in particular, is a leader in the push to legalize sports betting in the United States.

Taxes on Your Winnings: Do You Have to Pay Anything?

Until sports betting is officially legalized in Maine, which could come sooner rather than later, we cannot know for certain what the state will decide in terms of taxation of winnings. But it is likely to follow trends in the U.S. and Europe, where many countries implement 5% duty on winnings. Many lawmakers address tax revenue, and its possibility of funding state projects, within their proposals for legalized sports betting and other forms of gambling. It remains to be seen what the legislature will decide, but Main Revenue Services may provide further information when the time comes.

Upcoming Regulation Changes in Maine Sports Betting Law

Maine lawmakers clearly have sports betting on their minds since the PASPA judgement in 2018. In January 2019 alone, seven different bills regarding sports betting were proposed in Maine’s legislature. Those included LD 1348, an act to authorize sports wagering, and LD 1571, which took a more focused approach to allow Native tribes the exclusive rights to managing sports betting in the state. Unfortunately neither bill has progressed, but LD 553 remains and could mean the legalization and regulation of sports betting in Maine is just around the corner.

Sports Betting Guides for Nearby States

• Delaware
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• New Hampshire