Maine sports betting bill passes final senate vote
Legislation giving tribes exclusivity on sports betting advances through committee stage
Legislators in Maine have greenlit a bill which would give its tribes exclusivity on mobile sports betting, with a bill passing through the Pine Tree State’s senate by a 23-11 vote.
The bill, known as LD 585, aims to restore tribal sovereignty rights stripped from them by legislation limiting tribal rights passed in 1980.
Following a successful committee stage, amendments were introduced into the legislation authorizing a revision to Maine’s tax laws to give casinos, off-track betting facilities, federally recognized tribes and certain commercial tracks the power to conduct sports betting.
Early stages of this amendment barred the Hollywood Casino in Bangor from operating sports betting, however subsequent debates led to this being overturned, something which paved the way for the successful vote.
LD 585 creates four mobile sports betting licenses given to each of Maine’s four tribes, which include the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Penobscot Nation.
Between them, the trio would account for 85% of the Pine Tree State’s sports betting market, according to state produced estimates.
It also allows Maine’s two casino operators and horse racing tracks to operate retail sportsbooks.
Legislation passed through Maine’s house of representatives by an 81-53 vote on Friday, with today’s vote clearing the way for the bill to be signed off by Maine Governor Janet Mills.
However, Mills is not a fan of sports betting and previously exercised her governor’s veto on similar legislation in January 2020, suggesting she was “unconvinced” whether Maine residents would support such a bill.
The tribes themselves have also opposed the amended motion, suggesting that the inclusion of the casino operators in the rights to operate sports betting will ultimately harm their interests.
“The amendment, while it’s being cloaked in fairness, is really detrimental to the tribal interest in that bill,” Penobscot Indian Nation Chief Kirk Francis said.
“This is a tribal bill for a meaningful opportunity in Maine’s gaming industry and we believe the inclusion of casinos with online platforms is going to crush any opportunities for the tribes going forward,” Francis added.