Maine Sports Betting – Legislation, Launch Dates and Promo Codes

 Maine Sports Betting: Legislation and Launch Dates. Promo Codes

Maine is also known for being Vacationland. On the state license plate, it says so. Its small towns, beaches harbors, islands, burgeoning food scene, and beautiful scenery make it an excellent vacation spot. What could be better than that? Maine is considering legalizing online betting. Maine only has 2 retail casinos so gambling is not an issue. However, a few policy updates regarding sports betting could change this.

While sports betting isn’t yet legalized in Maine, the legislature is making efforts to make it legal. For the second year in succession, legislation legalizing sports betting was passed by either one or both of the state legislature chambers. But opposition from Governor and other legislative priorities has prevented these bills from becoming law. Despite current struggles, industry observers believe that Maine sports betting will soon become a reality, possibly as soon 2022.

For more information on Maine's legislative journey, tethering is so crucial, an overview about the existing state casino industry, which casinos will move to Maine when gambling becomes legal, what's taking place in neighboring States, and much more, read on.

Maine sports betting

Unexpectedly, in 2019, the Maine legislature passed a bill to legalize betting on sports. It was just one year since PASPA was struck down and states were able to legalize it. While the topic was discussed briefly during the session most observers assumed that they would continue to focus on it in 2020. Nope. Nope.

If a bill is passed by the legislature and not signed by the governor within a set time period, typically 10 days, it becomes law in most states. Maine law states that if the legislature passes a bill just before adjournment ends, the governor can hold it over until the start of the next legislative session. In 2019, this was the case, so sports betting was stuck in limbo over six months.

Governor Mills was able to exercise her veto power at the start of the 2020 legislative sessions. This was because she believed that Maine citizens did not want to expand their gambling options. The legislature disagreed with her decision and voted against Mills' veto. The Senate was able do it, but the House failed to do it. Thus, legal sports betting was declared unconstitutional for the year.

Sports betting legislation in 2021: Legislative Progress

Fast forward to 2021 when the legislature decided to try sports betting again in Maine. LD 1352, which was introduced and passed twice by the House, was also adopted. The Senate passed it twice, but an amendment was made to include a requirement for tethering. Louis Luchini, the original sponsor of this bill, was adamantly against tethering. He opposed the amendment even though it meant that he would be opposing his own bill. The tethering requirement prevailed after intense debate. Maine's revenue-generating bills must be sent to the "AppropriationsTable" for one final vote before they can go to the Governor. LD 1532 was passed by the House and Senate, but not voted upon or served to the Governor. This is where things get complicated. However, the House and Senate both passed the sports gambling bill. Unfortunately, the legislature adjourned just before the bill was sent to Governor. So, sports betting is dead in Maine for the time being. Betting For a Living - 3 Excuses to Stop Paying Bills With Online Sportsbooks