Maine tribe seeks iGaming privileges after launching online sports betting
Online sports betting began last November after Maine Governor Janet Mills (D) signed the legislation in May 2022. The statute allows the state's federally recognized tribes to partner with sports betting operators.
The Maine Indian Land Claims Settlement Act of 1980 treats Indian communities as communities rather than sovereign nations, as is the case in most other states. Federal law gives the four tribes $81.5 million in financial compensation for land the U.S. government seized from Native American groups.
In exchange for the money, tribes agreed to give up some federal Indian rights. This includes the operation of Indian casinos on their state reservations, regardless of the type of gambling defined in the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), unless the state agrees to a gambling revenue sharing agreement.
In recent years, the tribes have worked with lobbyists to secure gaming privileges to better secure their economic futures. Mills, a staunch opponent of gambling, relented in 2022 and agreed to give the tribe exclusive rights to online sports betting.
Sports betting is prohibited at the state's two commercial casinos, the Hollywood Casino Hotel and Raceway in Bangor and the Oxford Casino Hotel near Lewiston.
Introducing iGaming Legal
The Maine Legislature has convened in Augusta for its 2024 session. A bill has been filed to expand tribal gaming privileges to include iGaming with interactive slots and table games.
Bill 1777 was introduced by Rep. Laura Supica, D-Bangor, whose district includes the Hollywood Casino. Supica wants to allow tribes in the state to partner with third-party operators like DraftKings to offer online casino games. Under the current text of the law, the state will receive 10% of gross profits, just like online sports betting.
The Maine Gambling Control Commission supports more gambling over the Internet. But its chairman, Steve Silver, said the state's two commercial casinos should also be welcomed.
Maine should definitely consider legalizing internet gaming," Silver told the Portland Press Herald. Silver said an "open, free market approach" that would include casinos and tribes would In the best interest of the state.
Rep. Ben Collins (D-Portland) argued that it would make more sense to allow tribes to operate brick-and-mortar casinos, and that gaming on the two commercial properties would not be as fully utilized as iGaming. His LD 1944 bill would allow the state to negotiate revenue-sharing terms with one or more tribes. The bill would prevent tribes from opening casinos in Penobscot or Oxford counties where commercial casinos operate.
Maine Sportsbook
So far, two of Maine's four tribes have launched online sports betting. Passamaquoddy Tribe in partnership with DraftKings and Caesars Sportsbook in partnership with the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians.
Maine's other two federally recognized tribes are the Mi'kmaw and Penobscot tribes, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Despite a population of less than 1.4 million and no professional sports teams in the four major leagues, bettors on the two apps bet more than $38.6 million on sports between December 1 and 28. This is the latest released data set. Maine Gambling Control Unit.
Maine sports betting net profits were slashed by 10 percent, with net profits for the same period being just $370,000.
Read also:
- Football 101: What is relegation in football?
- Michigan holds 5-point favorite against Washington in college tournament
- Sphere bounces: London rejects venue's second proposed location
- Bally insiders benefited from A's move, buying shares ahead of MLB vote
Source: www.casino.org
