Maine Betting Sites — Legal Situation and Future Opportunities

If you’ve been keeping up with the regularly contested laws surrounding sports betting in the state of Maine, you might be a little confused about what is and isn’t legal. That’s why we’re happy to say that on this page, you’ll find everything you need to know about the best betting sites Maine residents can choose from.

We’re even happier to announce that Maine has officially passed legal sports betting for players in the state, however players will find that there are currently no licensed Maine betting sites available. This is subject to change soon enough, so be sure to read on about current and future laws, alternative betting options, and more about legal Maine sports betting.

Legal Betting Options for Maine Players

If you’re a resident of Maine or have spent much time in the state before, you’ll know that there are some great betting options in Maine. These aren’t the most numerous in the USA, however players will be glad to know that there are casinos, there is one poker room, there is a state lottery, and horse racing. There is no Maine online sports betting yet.

Closest State to Maine with Legal Sports Betting

If you’re eager to jump into placing sports bets and can’t wait for Maine to introduce official options, please don’t fret. Players will be able to place sports bets in any number of nearby states which provide legal sports betting, and thankfully for you there are plenty of great options available for players to choose from.

Though there is no current Maine online sports betting provided to bet in the state, several close states also provide online sports betting options. In the table below, we’ve provided players with some of the best nearest and most popular states in the world for placing sports bets on a great range of sporting varieties.

The Best Betting Sites in Maine — Big Plans for the Future

It may come as some surprise that after a long battle with legislation and against some strictly prohibitive laws, players can expect to find new options in the world of sports betting in Maine shortly. Lawmakers have already taken steps to introducing legal Maine betting sites for sports wagers, however there is a long way to go.

It’s essential for players to have access to and exclusively play with legal Maine betting sites. The state is making a big effort to ensure that there are established licensing agencies and extensive regulation surrounding sports betting, which will provide players with age verification services, fair payouts, and assistance for those with problem gambling.

When Maine finally does introduce comprehensive licensing and specific betting options, players can expect big things. You’ll be able to place bets at the best betting sites Maine has to offer on the most prevalent major betting leagues like NFL, NBA and MLB, plus local teams and potentially college sports.

Current Gambling Laws in Maine

As we’ve mentioned above, Maine has already taken some major steps to introducing legalised sports betting in the state. In 2022, the Governor of Maine, Janet Mills, signed an official bill allowing sports betting to come into Maine law for the first time. This was a landmark decision for the state, with many getting excited to play already.

While there is a guarantee that there will in fact be the introduction of legal Maine betting sites, players can’t expect to find them any time soon. In fact, it’s looking like players may not see Maine sports betting until 2024.

Rest assured, when sportsbooks are legalized, we’ll fill you in on the best betting sites Maine bettors can make their wagers at.

As players can see in the table above, there are several betting varieties which are already legal and available in the state. Players are allowed to place casino bets in the state, though the options are somewhat limited, as there are currently only two casinos in Maine.

There is also one poker room available in the state, and players are able to place racetrack bets on horse races. In addition to this, players are allowed to bet on Daily Fantasy Sports, which is a fantastic option. There are currently no online casino betting options, nor any legal sports betting sites Maine.

Gambling is supposed to be fun. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, free advice and support is available. the National Council on Problem Gambling is here to help.

History of Sports Betting and Gambling in the State of Maine

Players who are interested in getting some insight into the history of sports betting in Maine will find an overview in the following sections. It’s no secret that Maine is something of a late adopter of sports betting. There are a number of factors in sports and casino gambling which have contributed to the gradual introduction of sports betting.

Maine introduced slot machines at horse tracks for the first time in 2003, which led to Bangor featuring the only casino at the time. This later extended to the Oxford casino in 2010. Law was eventually further amended in 2011 to provide players with legal table games at Bangor.

More recently there have been drastic developments in Maine law to introduce sports betting, both with land-based casinos and online betting sites. This means that players can expect gaming websites in Maine sooner rather than later, however there are estimates that this wont arrive until 2024.

Further in the history of Maine sports betting and casino gaming law, the state has historically provided recognition of four recognized tribes. This means that these tribes are allowed to legally conduct bingo betting games with unlimited values, though they don’t have the same gaming rights other states do.

The Future of Online Sports Betting in Maine?

While we can’t claim to know the future, there are a few things that are looking more and more likely for the future of sports betting in Maine. For one, there are some things which are effectively confirmed to be happening, and as sports betting has been officially legalised in the state, it’s now just a matter of time until there will be sportsbooks and online betting sites Maine.

For now, players simply have to wait. There has been no word on any official launch date for sports betting in Maine. However, one thing that players can be sure about is that there has been an estimate of early 2024 for the first sportsbooks in the state. If you’re itching to start betting right away, visit our page on legal sports betting states.

Frequently Asked Questions

Players who are interested in placing bets in the state of Maine will be well-familiarised with the specific legalities and options for doing so after reading this page. However, for those readers who aren’t quite certain yet, we’ve provided the following list of answers to frequently asked questions to make it easy for you to get started.

⚖️ Are online gambling and online sports betting legal in Maine?

There have been recent developments in the state of Maine to provide the Mailseet, Passamaquoddy and Peonbscot Tribes in Maine with exclusive licenses for sports betting at retail sites and online. This means that there are some legal sports betting options in Maine, though they are limited. The legal situation in Maine may change, so stay tuned.

🛡️ What is the legal gambling age in Maine?

The legal age for gambling in Maine is similar to other states. The general rule is that the minimum age for casino betting is 21 and up in the state of Maine, however players can place bets at age 18 and up on the likes of lotteries, bingo, and pari-mutuels. Check out our section on laws to learn more.

🚨 Is playing at offshore casinos legal?

Whether or not a betting site is legal generally depends on the location of play and whether or not it is licensed in that location. This means that while you will be able to access these sites, they are not legal if they are not licensed in your region, so they can’t be considered safe. We suggest checking out our list of licensed and legal sitesinstead.

🔎 Can I play at a Maine online sportsbook if I am not in the state?

As mentioned above, you cannot place a bet on a site from outside of its licensed locations. This means that in order to place a bet you will need to bet on sites licensed within your location of play, so you won’t be able to bet on a Maine sportsbook from a different space. If you're planning a trip to a different state, don't miss out! Our list of the closest states that allow online sports betting might be helpful.