Maine is on the verge of embracing legalized sports betting in the upcoming month of November, according to confirmation from the Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU).
The MGCU has disclosed that the final rules' draft is currently in progress, aiming for an official launch window between November 5 and 9. Concurrently, the state's Attorney General is actively reviewing essential guidelines for the betting sector.
Milt Champion, the Executive Director of MGCU, has stated that once the Attorney General provides approval, the regulations will progress to the Secretary of State's office. Following a standard processing period of three to five business days, the approved rules will be accessible on the Secretary's official site, marking the commencement of live sports betting.
The Next Steps
After receiving regulatory approval, the MGCU plans to grant operational licenses to eligible participants.
While casinos and off-track betting venues will accept in-person bets, the online sports betting sphere comes with a distinctive twist. This digital realm will be exclusively overseen by Maine's four federally recognized Native American tribes, empowering them to collaborate with mobile betting entities.
Caesars and BetMGM are at the forefront of this movement, proudly declaring partnerships with these tribes, showcasing their preparedness to engage once the betting landscape comes to life.
The journey for sports betting began when Governor Janet Mills signed the bill in September 2023, effective as of August 2 of the same year. The legislation grants each tribe the privilege to select their partner, potentially resulting in licensing for the Penobscot Nation, Passamaquoddy tribes at Indian Township and Pleasant Point, Houlton Band of Maliseets, and Mi’kmaq. With exclusive control over the digital betting landscape, this presents a lucrative opportunity for Maine's Native American tribes.
However, on the flip side, major players DraftKings and FanDuel have chosen not to participate in the Maine market.
Source: https://stargambling.net/