Maine lawmakers are considering changing some licensing issues, including one that could halt sports betting in November 2024. Unless the changes are approved, someone will be unhappy a year from now.
The Maine Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee held a public hearing January 22 for LD 2117, which reduces the length of sports betting licensure from four years to one. The same bill would extend temporary licenses beyond November 2024 to keep the industry intact.
“If the investigations aren’t done and we can’t issue a permanent license, we’d have to shut down operations, and we certainly don’t want to do that,” Maine Gaming Control Unit (MGCU) Executive Director Milt Champion told LSR.
Dan Walker, an attorney representing Churchill Downs’s Oxford Casino, acknowledged that having brick-and-mortar sportsbooks could face retention problems without making some adjustments to the rules.
The temporary licenses permitted Maine to get sports betting up and running in November 2023. And to do more thorough background checks.
Some of the delay is out of Maine’s control because it involves federal rules. The extension then would give the MGCU more time for their end.
The only live sportsbooks in Maine right now belong to Caesars and DraftKings.
As for the main thrust of LD 2117, Champion said tracking information for a one-year renewal makes the whole process easier than waiting four years.
The key questions asked during an annual renewal include:
- Changes to key executives
- Changes to ownership structure
- Any adverse actions against the company
- Any pending charges against the company
“Tracking this information over four years is much harder to accomplish rather than on a regular basis,” Champion told LSR. “Turning it over every year versus holding onto four years of information before renewing will help. We don’t want unintentional mistakes or oversights because of the length of time.”
Maine casinos, which can open in-person sportsbooks, support the legislation, Walker said.
The state has other issues as well. Faced with a lack of flexibility, casinos might need regulatory changes to open in-person sportsbooks.
Take surveillance. Rules require remote surveillance, but the MGCU declined to go that route, Walker said.
Last week, the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee held public hearings on three proposed gambling laws, including legalizing online casinos. Lawmakers also discussed expanding in-person gaming with the state’s tribes and legalizing historical horse racing and beano.
