There were once four sports betting bills in the Maine legislature; now there is one, whose sponsor is Senator Louis Luchini.
Luchini’s bill survived the May 28 vote of the Legislature Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs. The bills were combined because they had largely the same language: legalization of sports betting. Where they differed was on how to regulate sportsbooks and give licenses.
The main thing separating legislators is whether they want a tethered or untethered model. In the sportsbook world, “tethered” means that only brick-and-mortar operations including casinos and racetracks can be licensed, though they may partner with sportsbooks such as William Hill or DraftKings. Using this approach, casinos would be able to offer mobile sports betting.
The “untethered” model would allow any qualifying provider to offer mobile sports betting, independent of a physical location.
An example frequently given is the Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway, one of two casinos in Maine. Using the tethered approach, that Bangor casino, owned by Penn National, would be able to offer mobile sports betting all over the state. If lawmakers go with the untethered model, any provider could operate in the state, even if it isn’t based in Maine.
The last sports betting bill passed by the legislature was vetoed by Governor Janet Mills, who has not yet taken a position on the new bill.
