Caesars Sportsbook jumped on the chance to offer sports betting in Maine by partnering with three of the four Native American tribes in the state.
Only one digital license remains available and it is possible Caesars could join forces with them, giving them an online monopoly. There are also two licenses available at retail sportsbooks.
Caesars said in a statement it was excited about the new venture.
“Caesars Sportsbook is proud to have signed a historic term sheet in Maine under which it will be the single mobile sports betting provider for three of the state’s tribes of the Wabanaki Nations,” the statement said.
A year ago, Maine lawmakers legalized sports betting in both retail and online locations, giving the state’s four tribes exclusivity. It was a concession from Governor Janet Mills. The Wabanaki Nation does not have the same classification that tribes in other states have, thus they don’t get some of the benefits. Mills hopes this will help the tribes in their quest for sovereignty.
Some of the regulations under the law set the betting age at 21 and bans betting on Maine colleges. The tax rate on gaming revenue is 10 percent and operators must share at least 60 percent of revenue with tribes or the state.
“Caesars has extensive experience, knowledge, and a reputation of excellence in partnering with other tribes across the country,” Penobscot Chief Kirk Francis wrote. “Our agreement with Caesars provides that the Tribes will receive annual mandatory minimum payments once we begin operations. The tribes will receive much more than these minimum payments if the market performs as expected. We will get a better sense of these revenue numbers as the industry develops in Maine.
“We are very excited about this partnership and opportunity to secure much needed resources. It is important to remember that we are reclaiming our gaming rights as a Nation after nearly 40 years of being denied. We are hopeful that this is just the first step in establishing a tribal gaming enterprise as the agreement ensures the tribes’ participation in any future full iGaming opportunities authorized in Maine.”
Though Caesars is a fairly big name in sports betting, it appears they were the only one who made a bid on a license.
Milton Champion, chief executive of the Maine Gambling Control Unit, said that as of last month no one had applied for a license.
The state is also bogged down in a process to review questions that were requested. Champion said his office was inundated with questions, and with a small staff, it would take months to review them all.
The hope was to have sports betting launched by September, in time for the NFL season. Champion said the earliest he sees sports betting in the state would be January 2024.
