LD 1164 Becomes Law Without Governor's Signature
Governor Janet Mills allowed Legislative Document 1164 to become law without her signature, granting the Wabanaki Nations exclusive rights to operate online gaming titles in Maine. The move makes Maine the eighth state in the US with legal online gaming, joining New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode Island.
By allowing the bill to become law without signing it, Governor Mills signaled cautious support for the measure while maintaining some political distance from the expansion of gaming in the state. The approach is not uncommon for contentious legislation, and it means the law takes effect without a formal gubernatorial endorsement.
How the Law Works
LD 1164 authorizes each of the four Wabanaki Nations to partner with one licensed online gaming platform. This structure limits the market to a maximum of four operators, creating a controlled expansion that prioritizes tribal sovereignty while capping the total number of licensed platforms.
Each license carries an annual cost of $50,000. Operations can begin 90 days after the legislative session ends, placing the likely launch window in late 2026 or early 2027 depending on the session calendar and the pace of regulatory implementation.
The legislation builds on LD 585, enacted in 2022, which authorized tribal online sports wagering in Maine. Together, the two laws establish a comprehensive framework for tribal-operated online gaming in the state.
Legal Challenge
The law has already drawn opposition. Oxford Casino Hotel, a commercial gaming facility in the state, has filed a federal lawsuit challenging LD 1164 as a "race-based monopoly." The suit argues that granting exclusive online gaming rights to tribal nations violates the Equal Protection Clause by discriminating against non-tribal operators.
Legal experts are divided on the lawsuit's prospects. Federal law has historically recognized tribal gaming sovereignty under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), and courts have generally upheld state-tribal gaming compacts. However, the exclusive nature of LD 1164's framework could present novel legal questions about the boundaries of tribal gaming preferences.
Significance for the Sweepstakes Industry
Maine's legalization of regulated online gaming carries indirect but important implications for the sweepstakes casino sector. As more states create legal pathways for iGaming, the argument that sweepstakes casinos fill an unmet consumer demand weakens. Regulated alternatives give legislators less reason to tolerate the legal ambiguity surrounding the sweepstakes model.
This dynamic has played out in other states. Connecticut's legalization of iGaming in 2021 was followed by enforcement actions against sweepstakes platforms. New Jersey, which has had legal legal iGaming since 2013, was among the states that banned sweepstakes casinos in 2025.
What to Watch
The federal lawsuit from Oxford Casino Hotel will be a key factor in determining whether LD 1164's tribal-exclusive model survives legal scrutiny. Meanwhile, the Wabanaki Nations will begin the process of selecting platform partners, a decision that will shape the competitive landscape for Maine's online gaming market for years to come. Massachusetts, which borders Maine, is also considering iGaming legalization with HB 4431, which includes a sweepstakes casino ban provision.