Online Sports Betting in Maine
Published:Maine is a bit confusing to an outsider as it pertains to sports betting. While technically legal in Maine, the Gambling Control Unit has indicated that people will likely be unable to place wagers until January 2024. So while the law does allow online and retail sports betting, the GCU does not. Eventually, there will be as many as four online books and 10 retail locations coming to Maine. Each of the four federally recognized tribes can offer online options, with each license allowing a single skin. Known as the “Pine Tree State” for (you guessed it) the many white pine trees, Maine is a popular vacation spot in the United States.
Most famous for their prolific amount of lobsters, Maine’s yearly lobster yield exceeds 35 million pounds. The state, on its own, accounts for nearly 90% of the US’s total lobster supply. With a coastline that naturally features so many deep harbors, Maine could technically provide anchorage for all the naval fleets in the world. If you ever visit, we recommend taking a boat tour of the coastline.
Despite being situated in one of the most Northeastern parts of the United States, many notable Americans were born in Maine. Actress Anna Kendrick, best-selling author Stephen King, and influential filmmaker John Ford were all born in the Pine Tree State.
So what’s next for Sports Betting in Maine?
The most likely launch date for Maine sports betting is now early 2024, sometime in late Q1 or early Q2. Unfortunately, due to an uneven revenue-sharing model with the state’s tribes, several big-name books have already stated that they will not apply for a Maine sports betting license. With big brands like DraftKings and FanDuel pulling out, Maine will have a tougher time drawing a broad number of customers. Regulators in the state have also faced pushback over their proposed advertising restrictions, with many believing they are far too strict.
Barstool Sportsbook, owned and operated by Penn National, seems like a semi-logical brand to move forward with an online sportsbook in-state. The flip side is that the Hollywood Casino in Bangor is a direct competitor for tribal casinos. Caesars and BetRivers present secondary, solid options.
Maine also has a strict restriction on college betting (on teams from Maine). Regardless of where that school is playing, even across the country, you cannot wager on Maine’s college teams.
Popular Sports in Maine
For those who are unaware, Maine is a comparatively small state. Eight cities in the US alone, including multiple on the East Coast, have more residents living in them than the entire state of Maine. A result of this is the lack of major professional sports franchises in Maine. Typically, folks from Maine are likely to root for nearby teams based in New England. Those teams include:
- New England Patriots (NFL)
- Boston Red Sox (MLB)
- Boston Bruins (NHL)
- Boston Celtics (NBA)
Popular Athletes from Maine
Despite their smaller population, Maine has produced several standout athletes over the years. You can find them on this list below.
- Joan Benoit Samuelson (1984 gold medalist at the Olympics)
- Seth Wescott (2x gold medalist, 3x Olympian in snowboard cross)
- Cindy Blodgett (4x NCAA scoring leader)
- Billy Swift (NL ERA leader in 1992)
