A bill that would allow Maine’s tribes and racetracks to run the state’s first sports betting operation has been filed along with one that would allow tribes to run the state’s third casino.
LD 1348 is sponsored by 10 House members. It would authorize the Gambling Control Board to issue retail and online sports betting licenses, which would be confined to tribes and racinos of which there are two.
The board could also license Indian tribes that are not involved in brick and mortar casinos to operate online-only sports wagering.
Betting on professional and collegiate games would be allowed, but eSports betting would be banned. No “integrity” fee would be paid to sports leagues.
Revenues would be taxed at 25 percent. One percent would go for administrative expenses and the remainder “essential programs and services for kindergarten to grade 12” education.
The associated fees would be minimal. It would cost $30k to apply for a sports wagering license and $15k annually thereafter to renew.
LD 1348 reads, “The bill requires the board to adopt rules regulating the conduct of sports wagering, including rules restricting the types of wagers permitted, [and] establishing the maximum wagers that may be accepted from any one person on a single sports event.” The bill appears to give considerable leeway to the board in determining what regulations to impose.
Mobile betting would be allowed and registration could be done remotely. There would be an annual $15,000 license fee for operators.
The second bill would allow tribes to operate a casino. Currently there are two commercial casinos in the state, one in Bangor and the other in Oxford. The tribal casino would have to be located at least 50 miles away from either of them.
The bill has the support of the legislature’s non-voting member from the Passamaquoddy tribe, Rena Newall.
She asked for lawmakers’ support for the bill. “Not only to be recognized in the future as those who changed the rejections of history, but as those who recognized the need to work together in improving tribal-state relations,” she declared.
Owners of the existing casinos oppose the bill and from some business groups who fear that a third casino would cannibalize the existing non-casino economy.
