Maine Online Casinos Likely Won’t Open Until 2027

^{Maine’s regulated online casinos will probably launch in early 2027, not this year. Here’s what still has to happen, and what you can play in the meantime. (Image: George Sanker/Alamy)}

If you’d been hoping that Maine online casinos would launch this year, you're out of luck.

While there is no official launch date just yet, it's been confirmed by Milton Champion, executive director of the state’s Gambling Control Unit, that early 2027 is now the most likely date when online casinos will open in The Pine Tree State. 

Although Maine legalized online casinos last January, Champion told Gambling Insider that the province still needs to complete a legal review when asked when exactly bettors in Maine can access private iCasinos. 

“Depends on the time taken with regard to the legality review.”

“In my experience, the first quarter of 2027 is more practical,” he said.

Where Maine’s Online Casino Rollout Stands

Maine’s law gives its four Wabanaki Nations exclusive rights to offer online casinos through commercial partners.

The job now sits with the Gambling Control Unit, and it still has to finish its rules before anyone can be licensed.

The latest version of those rules runs 15 chapters, covering everything from licensing to advertising.

The date the rules take effect has not been announced.

Public comments on the rules close at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 30.

No public hearing is planned for this round, according to the state’s rulemaking notice.

What happens next depends on what comes in before that deadline:

• Comments close on Oct. 30.
• If no substantive changes are made, the final rules go to the Attorney General’s office for a legal review of up to 120 days.
• If substantive changes are made, there’s a fourth comment round first, and the legal review starts after that.

Separately, the unit still needs to hire six staff members, arrange iGaming training and get a licensing portal online.

Tribes, their commercial partners and vendors can fill out application forms now, but the unit won’t accept submissions until it posts a start date.

A Court Case Adds a Second Risk

The rules aren’t the only open question.

Churchill Downs, the parent company of Oxford Casino, sued the state in January over the tribal exclusivity.

The Wabanaki Nations have since moved to join the case to defend their rights, and a judge granted their request in April.

Both sides have asked the judge to decide the case without a trial, and a ruling is pending.

The law stands for now, but the outcome could still affect how and when the market opens.

Who Is Lining Up to Launch

Operators aren’t waiting around for the paperwork.

Caesars expanded its partnerships with the Penobscot Nation, the Mi’kmaq Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians in June.

It plans to launch Caesars Palace Online Casino, Caesars Sportsbook & Casino and Horseshoe Online Casino once regulators give the go-ahead.

The Passamaquoddy Tribe hasn’t named an online casino partner yet, though it currently works with DraftKings on sports betting.

What to Expect When It Does Launch

As the rules are still proposed, some details could yet change. However, as things are currently written, here’s what players can expect from Maine's new iGaming market.

• Eligibility and location: You’ll need to be 21 or older and physically in Maine. Your location gets checked before your first bet and again during longer sessions, and VPNs are blocked.
• Deposits: No credit cards, and no credit from the operator.
• Limits and exclusion: Operators must let you set limits on how much you wager, deposit and how long you play. You can also join a statewide self-exclusion list for one, three or five years, or for life.
• Account information: You can see your play history, spending, games played and net wins or losses, with real-time updates while you play.
• Complaints: Operators must respond within 48 hours and resolve complaints within 10 business days. You can then appeal to the Gambling Control Unit’s director.

What Maine Players Can Do in the Meantime

• Visit in person: Oxford Casino Hotel and Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway are the state’s two commercial casinos. See our guide to land-based casinos in Maine.
• Bet on sports online: DraftKings and Caesars already operate through the tribes for players 21 and over. Compare US sportsbooks to see the best deals in your state.
• Play for free: Social casinos let you play slots and table games with no real money.

What to Watch Next

• The Oct. 30 comment deadline.
• Whether a fourth comment round gets announced.
• The start and outcome of the Attorney General’s review.
• Developments in the Churchill Downs case.
• When the licensing portal opens.