Maine is home to 2 commercial casinos where slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, and craps are enjoyed by fans of casino gambling. Unfortunately, this range of casino offerings doesn’t extend to Maine’s tribal casinos due to a previous settlement that excluded them from the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. As the state’s tribes lobby to get their justice, Maine anticipates the arrival of legal sports betting in time for the 2020 football season.
Maine Legal Gambling History
Since 1950, Maine has enjoyed horse racing at the state’s two tracks – Hollywood Race Track and Scarborough Downs. The law allows for pari-mutuel betting.
The state lottery came to Maine in 1974. Since the time of its conception, the lottery has expanded to include scratch-off tickets, multi-state Powerball, and Mega Millions.
During the time of the Indian Regulatory Gaming Act of 1988, the state’s two recognized tribes were authorized to offer high stakes bingo rather quickly. But unfortunately, due to an Act that predates the IGRA (called the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act), the 2 tribes are excluded from the IGRA and aren’t authorized to offer the full range of casino gaming. The tribes are still lobbying for the right to do so.
A statewide referendum in 2010 expanded casino gambling in the state. This law approved 2 land-based (non-tribal) casinos in Maine. The state’s 2 land-based casinos are Oxford County Casino and Hollywood Casino. Players can enjoy slots, poker, table games, track betting, and more.
In 2017, Maine passed a law to make daily fantasy sports legal. Maine became the 15th state to do so.
Maine Gambling Legal Status
Casino gambling is legal in Maine. This includes slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat. The state’s 2 casinos are Hollywood Casino and Oxford County Casino.
Track betting is legal at Maine’s 2 racecourses, Scarborough Downs and Hollywood Casino and Race Track.
Social gambling laws in Maine permit social poker games to take place as long as the host isn’t profiting.
The Maine state lottery offers scratch-offs, Powerball and Mega Millions.
Charitable gaming is legal in the state of Maine and tribal casinos offer “high stakes” bingo games. This allows for the prizes to be of “unlimited value”.
Daily fantasy sports are legal and Maine where FanDuel and DraftKings are active.
The legal age to gamble at casinos in Maine is 21 years old. For track betting and the state lottery, players need to be at least 18 years of age.
Maine Land-Based Casinos
The two land-based casinos in Maine are Hollywood Casino and Race Track and Oxford County Casino.
Gaming at Maine casinos includes:
- Slots
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Bacarrat
- Mini Baccarat
- Craps
- Poker
- Three Card Poker
- Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em
- Mississippi Stud
- Spanish 21
- Let It Ride
- Big 6 Wheel
- Video Poker
- Video Keno
Maine Legal Daily Fantasy Sports and Sports Betting
Maine’s governor declined to act on a 2019 sports betting bill, deciding to table it until 2020. It is rumored that sports betting in Maine will be legal and ready to play in time for kickoff of 2020 football season.
In 2017, Maine passed a law that made daily fantasy sports legal. Players in Maine have access to the full range of offerings from FanDuel and DraftKings.
Maine Legal Gambling FAQ’s
What forms of gambling are currently legal in the state of Maine?
The following is legal in Maine:
- Casino gambling – slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and more.
- Track betting and off-track betting.
- Social poker.
- Daily fantasy sports.
- State lottery including scratch-offs, Powerball, and Mega Millions.
- Charitable gaming such as bingo and raffles, including high-stakes bingo at tribal casinos.
