Maine Gambling Control Unit announces new proposed sports betting rules
AUGUSTA — Maine Gambling Control Unit held a press conference Wednesday morning releasing proposed rules for sports betting in the state.
Even as the unit continues to finalize the laws for sports wagering, members of the organization say this is an exciting time to be a sports fan in Maine.
“I’m very interested to going live and getting everything done,” said Kyle Bourget, the state’s sports wagering inspector.
Governor Mills and Maine lawmakers signed off on LD-585 in early 2022 before being signed into law in August, effectively legalizing sports betting in the state.
The Maine Gambling Control Unit has been working to put a set of rules in place since, referencing states like Colorado, Massachusetts and Ohio about how they enforce their sports gambling regulations.
“We have looked at six to eight other states on a word-by-word, paragraph-by-paragraph, page-by-page, side-by-side review, all certainly with the understanding that each state may have variations and/or have areas of deeper concern,” said Milton Champion, director of the Gambling Control Unit.
The 55-page rulebook outlines a variety of topics, including the procedures on how sportsbooks can partner with the Maine casinos, having Mainers stay in the state to gamble, and how people can place their bets at kiosks.
Champion is certain that the addition of sports wagering will bring lots of revenue to vacationland.
“Our gambling control unit has gone from annual state revenues of $53 million from two casinos in 2016 to $64 in 2022 from two casinos, fantasy contests, advanced-depositing wagering and charitable gaming, and will be adding another $3.8 to $6.9 million from sports wagering,” said Champion.
In a statement from Penn Entertainment, who runs Hollywood Casino Bangor, Vice President of Public Affairs & Government Relations Jeff Morris said, “We look forward to reviewing the just released proposed rules and continuing to work with the Maine Gambling Control Board towards the launch of retail sports betting in the state.”
Based on the responses the Gambling Control Unit receives during this process, Champion expects this to be rolled out as early as April of 2023 and as late as January of 2024.
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