Maine is set to become the eighth US state to legalise online casino gambling after Governor Janet Mills said she will sign a new bill. The bill, called LD 1164, gives the state’s recognised tribal nations the exclusive right to run online casino games.

The law was passed by the State House and Senate in June 2025. With the governor ready to approve it, Maine is moving forward at a time when many in the US gambling industry thought no new states would allow online casinos this year.

Tribes Given Full Control

The new law gives Maine’s four federally recognised Wabanaki Nations full control of online casino operations. These are the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Mi’kmaq Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, and the Penobscot Nation.

Each tribe must pay $50,000 for a licence and can work with only one online platform provider. This means big gambling companies have to partner with the tribes to enter Maine’s online casino market.

Maine becomes the second state in New England to give tribes exclusive control over online casinos. Connecticut already has a similar system where tribes run the iGaming market.

Casinos Left Out as Analysts React

Maine’s two land-based casinos, Hollywood Casino Hotel and Raceway Bangor and Oxford Casino Hotel, cannot run online casinos under the new law. While this raises fairness questions, analysts see chances for digital operators already working with the tribes

Truist Securities analysts Barry Jonas, Patrick Keough, and Jeremy Jacoby said, “The move comes as a surprise; and though modest, it is a welcome one for Buy-rated DKNG and CZR. Both look set to have exclusively rights to offer iGaming on top of their existing OSB partnerships. It’s unclear if more digital operators could gain access in the future, but for now we assume all others could be shut out.”

They added, “Consensus thinking has been there would be no iGaming legalisations this year, and it will be interesting to see if Maine is a one-off or a sign of more to come.” This suggests DraftKings and Caesars may soon expand into online casinos.

Opposition Plans to Fight the Bill

Even with the governor’s support, the bill is not guaranteed. The National Association Against iGaming plans to block it through a People’s Vote, which can force a public referendum.

The group criticised the governor, saying, “The timing of this decision cannot be ignored. While only the Governor can explain her change of heart, it is difficult to view this decision as anything other than a political calculation rather than a policy driven by evidence or public interest.”

They also cited a poll showing most Maine voters oppose legalising online casinos. The final decision may now rest with the public.