Lawmakers began debating an online gaming bill this week, but its future remains uncertain
Lawmakers in the Maine House and Senate reintroduced gambling legislation on February 29 that would change the proposed iGaming tax for operators partnering with state tribes. Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs voted 7-1 to change the tax from 10% to 16% and amend LD1777. Five committee members weren’t present for the vote and have until March 4 to weigh in.
The committee tabled the bill on January 29 so interested parties could assemble to examine the Maine online casino bill. The outcome of those talks saw Maine tribes agree that the Maine Gambling Control Unit (GCU) is the most suitable agency to control the new sites proposed.
Stakeholders also agreed to omit any wording in LD1777 regarding the existing online sports betting market. This means everything will remain the same for the four sites already partnered with the two retail casinos in the state.
State Representative Laura D. Supica explained that lawmakers can still change the bill she proposed in 2023 as it advances in the legislative procedure.
For example, the suggested iGaming tax rate is now higher than the 10% paid by sports betting providers DraftKings Sportsbook and Caesars Sportsbook since online wagering launched on November 3, 2023.
The remaining opposition to the bill is mainly associated with tribes being the only groups capable of acquiring an online gaming license under LD1777. Challengers say the state’s retail casinos should also be eligible to purchase iGaming licenses.
The two retail casinos operating in Maine are the Hollywood Casino Hotel and Raceway Bangor and the Oxford Casino Hotel, owned and operated by Churchill Downs Incorporated.
