Maine House of Representatives supports tribal online casino proposal
The Maine House of Representatives has voted in favour of the state’s four Wabanaki tribes being granted exclusive rights to operate online casino gaming, expanding their current offering beyond sports betting.
The vote passed 85-59 in favour on Thursday; however, the bill will need to pass the Senate to become law.
Bill LD 1164 was submitted by Representative Ambureen Rana and proposed that the Penobscot Nation, Passamaquoddy Tribe, Maliseet Nation, and Mi’kmaq Nation offer online casino games like slots, poker, blackjack, and roulette.
According to the Maine Gambling Control Unit, sports wagering generated nearly US$700,000 for the state in January 2025 through a 10% tax on revenue.
The new bill will allocate 16% of online gaming revenue to the state, directed towards gambling addiction programs, substance use disorder services, and veterans’ homes, among other programs.
Passamaquoddy Chief William Nicholas told Spectrum News that the bill was “an ideal opportunity to raise tribal and state governmental revenue for the benefit of all Mainers.”
Tribal representatives argue that the expansion is crucial for economic self-sufficiency. Representative Brian Reynolds, Tribal Administrator for the Wabanaki tribe, said “We know how to do this the right way, and we are asking for a chance to build.”
However, the bill requires additional votes to become law and faces significant opposition. Maine’s two commercial casinos, Hollywood Casino in Bangor and Oxford Casino, object to the bill, arguing the new arrangement would bypass voter approval and threaten brick-and-mortar operations.
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Charlotte Capewell brings her passion for storytelling and expertise in writing, researching, and the gambling industry to every article she writes. Her specialties include the US gambling industry, regulator legislation, igaming, and more.
