Legal Sports Betting in Maine
Maine joined the ranks of states with legalized sports betting on May 2, 2022. Read more here to get connected to the best Maine sportsbooks, and get updates on Maine sports betting laws.
Sportsbook | Available in Maine |
FanDuel | β |
DraftKings | Yes |
Caesars | Yes |
FoxBet | β |
BetRivers | β |
BetMGM | β |
PointsBet | β |
Unibet | β |
Donβt forget to check out the legal sports betting situation across the United States.
Maine Sports Betting – Recent Updates
- January 23, 2024 – Maine sports betting, launched in November 2023, might face a potential halt in November 2024 due to unresolved licensing issues.
- January 10, 2024 – Maine legislators advocate for iGaming legalization in 2024, complementing the existing online sports betting market that started in 2023.
- November 3, 2023 – First online sports bets in Maine taken by Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings at 9:00 a.m. ET.
- July 19, 2023 – Maine Gambling Control Unit plans to issue temporary licenses and start legal sports betting in November 2023.
- January 13, 2023 – Maineβs sports betting rules are released; launch may happen between April 2023 and January 2024.
Top 5 Maine Sportsbooks
Even with the opening up of locally licensed spΓ²rtsbooks, the best ones will still tend to be licensed offshore. This is because they avoid the heavy tax burden that Maine imposes. Here are the top 5 sportsbooks that we recommend for bettors in Maine.
Bovada
Bovadaβs name is worth a lot. As the most known and trusted online sportsbook in the country, they do a lot to protect its name. If you are looking for a sportsbook in Maine with a trusted name, Bovada is a great choice.
BetOnline
BetOnline has extensive sports betting markets, and they are the kind that is most important to bettors in Maines. Because there is a lack of professional sports teams in Maine, having varied sports betting markets is especially important.
Sportsbetting.ag
Sportsbetting.ag specializes in having a great banking system. They accept a large amount of deposit and withdrawal options and will process these very quickly.
MyBookie
MyBookie will match your initial deposit dollar for dollar. This 100% match on your first deposit makes it one of the most generous welcome bonuses. It is worth up to $1,000.
XBet
We recommend XBet to mobile bettors. Their website design team is truly extraordinary, and you can tell they have put resources into making their website a smooth experience.
Four Reasons to Bet on These Maine Online Betting Sites
We take our time in choosing the best sportsbooks for bettors in Maine. Here are some of the main things we look for when choosing which ones to recommend to our readers.
Available to Maine Bettors
We always make sure that bettors in Maine can safely, easily, and legally access the sportsbooks we recommend here. This is an integral part of the due diligence of our Maine sportsbook reviews.
Welcome Bonus
A big welcome bonus is an important way to get started off on the right foot. This can really make all the difference in your bottom line, so we recommend sportsbooks that have big, juice initial deposit bonuses.
Helpful Customer Service
Customer service can come in many forms, and it is important to us that it does. This is because each and every user will have different needs and preferences, so we make sure that you can access customer service in the way that suits you best.
Fair Odds
We are wary of sportsbooks that offer odds that are too good to be true. They are almost always not true. We look for sportsbooks that are neither too sharp nor too generous to be sustainable.
Casinos in Maine
There are only two casinos in Maine, and only one of them offers poker and horse racing. In order to play at these retail casinos, you may have to travel a lot. But bettors in Maine can sign up at the betting sites we recommend on this page. The sportsbooks also double as casinos.
Here is the full list of casinos in Maine:
- Oxford Casino and Hotel
- Hollywood Casino, Hotel, and Raceway
Maine Sports Betting Timeline
2023
After initial uncertainties hinted at a possible delay to 2024, the Maine Gambling Control Unit set November as the launch month of legal sports betting. Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings, partnering with the Passamaquoddy Tribe, made history by accepting the state’s first legal online sports wagers on November 3.
2022
Governor Janet Mills signed a bill in May, effective July 31, granting specific state tribes the right to offer statewide mobile sports betting. This followed the Senate’s approval of the bill, emphasizing tribal control over mobile wagering and allowing in-person betting at casinos.
2021
A bill that would grant mobile sports betting privileges to the stateβs Tribes passed both the House and the Senate. However, it was not a priority in the Appropriations Table and did not move past that.
2020
Early in the year, Governor Mills vetoed the sports betting bill that was passed last year. There was a strong attempt to override the veto. They needed 94 votes, and gained 85, thus failing to override the governorβs veto.
2019
In the final stretch of the legislative session, Maine passed a sports betting bill. This bill would authorize sports betting at 11 locales. Online operators would not need to partner with retail locations.
Governor Mills neither signed nor vetoed the bill, and will be able to make the final decision in the early days of 2020.
Maine Sports Betting Resources
Explore the following resources to gain a deeper understanding of sports betting in Maine:
- Maine Gambling Control Unit: The regulatory authority overseeing gambling activities in the state.
- Maine Sports Betting Bill (HP 428 – LD 585): The legislative framework that legalized sports betting in Maine.
- Maine Council on Problem Gambling: Offers resources and support for promoting responsible gambling practices.
- Maine Self-Exclusion Program: Enables individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from all gambling activities.