Now that legal Maine iGaming has been approved, here’s what to expect from future operators, launch timelines, and tax revenues.
Photo By – Reuters Connect. Cyclists take a selfie as a sailing yacht passes Portland Breakwater Lighthouse, also known as Bug Light, on the eve of a celebration marking the 150th anniversary of the lighthouse in Portland, Maine, U.S. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Maine will become the eighth state to legalize real-money online casino gaming. Here’s everything you need to know about legal iGaming in the Pine Tree State.
How many online casinos will go live in Maine?
Four real-money iCasinos are set to launch in the state. Maine’s four federally recognized tribes can each partner with one third-party operator. All four tribes are expected to secure deals.
Which iCasinos will launch?
DraftKings and Caesars are the two iCasinos most likely to go live. They already offer mobile sports betting in Maine via partnerships with gaming tribes, giving them a big edge for two of the licenses.
The other two spots are much more difficult to determine. FanDuel, BetMGM, and Fanatics are three of the largest online casino gaming operators by revenue, but they testified against the bill due to the limited number of licenses. Still, their market-leading status will undoubtedly be attractive to potential tribal partners.
Other major iCasino brands, including bet365, BetRivers, and Hollywood, could also be among the leading contenders for a license.
When will online casinos go live?
Likely in the second half of the year. The bill will technically pass into law in January. It now goes through the ensuing launch process, which will take at least several months.
How will iCasinos be taxed?
Maine iCasinos will pay a tax of 18% of their adjusted gross gaming revenues, one of the lower rates among the eight legal iGaming states. This comparatively low tax rate will also likely spark interest from all major iGaming operators.
NEW: Maine will become the 8th state to legalize real money online casino gaming after Gov. Janet Mills announced today she would let the bill pass into law; legislation gives exclusive rights to state gaming tribes; regulators, commerical gaming interests opposed bill
— Ryan Butler (@ButlerBets) January 8, 2026
Maine’s online casino gaming players will have to pay year-end taxes on their winnings, as they would any other gambling form.
How much could Maine generate in iGaming taxes?
Connecticut generated roughly $81 million in iGaming taxes in 2024. Projecting against Maine’s smaller population, and with the same 18% tax rate, the state could expect to generate more than $30 million in annual online casino gaming taxes in the coming years.
What games will be live?
Blackjack, poker, dice, craps, roulette, and baccarat are explicitly permitted in the bill.
Worth noting: Maine’s real money online casino gaming legalization bill explicitly mentions poker among the permitted games
— Ryan Butler (@ButlerBets) January 9, 2026
“Card games, dice games, or other games of chance” approved by the Maine Gambling Control Unit director are also allowed.
How did Maine pass the iGaming law?
The bill passed the Maine legislature with bipartisan support last year, but Gov. Janet Mills took no action. She had until Jan. 9, 2026 to either sign the bill, veto it, or let it pass into law without her signature. She took the third option, allowing Mainers the chance to use real-money online casinos.
What did Mills say about the iGaming bill?
In a statement announcing her decision, Mills wrote:
“I considered this bill carefully, and while I have concerns about the impacts of gambling on public health, I believe that this new form of gambling should be regulated, and I am confident that Maine’s Gambling Control Unit will develop responsible rules and standards to hold providers of this new form of gambling accountable while ensuring that Maine’s tribes benefit from its operations.”
What groups supported it?
The legislation was vocally backed by the state’s gaming tribes, which will have exclusive rights to offer iGaming in the state. DraftKings also testified in support of the bill.
What groups opposed?
The state’s two brick-and-mortar commercial casinos, Oxford Casino operated by Churchill Downs and Hollywood Casino in Bangor (PENN Entertainment), were shut out from iCasino opportunities and, not surprisingly, opposed the bill. So, too, did the Maine Gambling Control Board (whose members were appointed by Mills), which opposed the bill’s regulatory structure as well as the potential harm to the two commercial casinos.
The National Association Against iGaming also campaigned against the bill. The group ran a poll in December that showed that most Mainers opposed iGaming legalization.
Which states have iGaming?
Of the eight legal iGaming states, only New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia have fully competitive online casino gaming markets with five or more operators. Maine will join Connecticut (DraftKings and FanDuel), Rhode Island (Bally Bet), and Delaware (BetRivers) among the four states with a low cap.