Maine iGaming Bill Held Over by Gov. Janet Mills, Veto Likely
Maine’s iGaming liberalization odds remain long despite state lawmakers passing online casino legislation
- Gov. Janet Mills opposes additional gambling, including iGaming
- The iGaming bill Mills received would give online casino rights to state tribes
Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) has opted not to act on numerous bills the Legislature sent to her desk during their 2025 session, with one being an iGaming statute.
Last month, the Maine State Legislature approved Legislative Document 1164.
An Act to Create Economic Opportunity for the Wabanaki Nations Through Internet Gaming, the bill seeks to provide Maine’s four federally recognized tribes — the Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot — with the exclusive rights to operate online casino games. The tribes already possess the exclusive rights to online sports betting through legislation passed in 2022.
The iGaming bill, however, faces much opposition, including from Penn Entertainment and Churchill Downs, which respectively operate Maine’s two brick-and-mortar casinos, Hollywood Casino Bangor and Oxford Casino Hotel. Mills’ administration also testified against LB1164, and the governor has said in the past that she opposes additional gambling.
The Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980 significantly impacts the four tribes’ sovereign powers and benefits compared to federally recognized tribes in most other states. Specifically, the state act restricts the tribes’ ability to benefit from certain federal policies, including the Indian Regulatory Gaming Act (IRGA), which allows most federally recognized tribes to conduct Class I and II gaming on their sovereign lands.
Mills’ Inaction
Mills’ office received the tribal iGaming bill on June 25, the same day the State Legislature adjourned.
Typically, the governor has 10 days upon receipt of a bill to sign or veto the measure. When the State Legislature is in session, if the governor doesn’t sign or veto a bill on her desk within 10 days, the statute becomes law. However, if the State Legislature has adjourned for the year, the bill doesn’t become law. This is referred to as a “pocket veto,” the Maine State Legislature’s “Path of Legislation” webpage explains.
Mills’ office on Tuesday said that the governor won’t be acting on roughly 60 bills, with one being the Maine iGaming measure. While the governor’s administration explained the legislation is being held back until the State Legislature reconvenes, the action, or inaction, is essentially a veto, government observers say.
Supporters of the iGaming statute said online casinos would have generated almost $19 million a year for the four tribes and their online gaming partners. That would have created more than $3.5 million in new annual state tax revenue.
Backers of the expanded gambling measure also claim that a legal, regulated online casino framework would provide consumer protections for the many players in Maine who are currently utilizing offshore, unregulated casino websites or controversial online sweepstakes platforms.
Anti-iGaming Entities
Churchill Downs and the landlord of Hollywood Bangor, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI), are part of the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG). The lobbying group contends that iGaming threatens brick-and-mortar casinos and the many jobs and critical tax revenue they produce.
NAAiG also believes that only in-person gaming can provide effective safeguards to prevent underage gambling, limit excessive play, and address problem gambling. The organization claims that iGaming results in increased gambling addiction, job losses, and tax revenue declines.
https://www.casino.org/news/maine-igaming-bill-held-over-by-gov-janet-mills-veto-likely/