Maine bans sweepstakes casinos, credit card deposits

Two bills, one push
Sweepstakes shut out
Regulated market context

Gov. Janet Mills signed two bills in April, targeting unregulated gambling and consumer protection in Maine.
LD 2007 classifies sweepstakes casino platforms as unlawful gambling, with civil fines up to $100,000 and criminal liability for operators.
LD 2080 prohibits credit card use across sports betting and iGaming, covering mobile apps, kiosks and digital platforms.

Gov. Janet Mills has signed legislation banning online sweepstakes casinos and prohibiting credit card deposits for sports betting and iGaming in Maine, delivering a dual consumer protection push as the state prepares to launch its regulated online casino market.

Two bills, one push

LD 2080, signed on April 3, 2026, prohibits licensed operators and management services from accepting credit cards to fund sports wagering and internet gaming.

Originally introduced in January by Rep. Marc Malon as a consumer protection measure focused on sports betting, the proposal was expanded through committee amendments to cover iGaming as well.

“Since coming online, sports betting has become a pervasive part of American culture. Although it has been economically successful, we want to make sure that we establish reasonable safeguards so that Mainers can participate without falling prey to addiction,” Malon said.

The law covers physical premises, self-serve kiosks, mobile applications and digital platforms. It also sets minimum design and security standards including strict identity checks, location verification and safeguards against underage betting.

Enforcement falls to the Gambling Control Unit within the Department of Public Safety.

Sweepstakes shut out

Gov. Mills signed LD 2007 on April 6, 2026, according to the official Maine Legislature record.

The law specifically targets platforms offering casino-style slots, poker and sports betting under a dual-currency system of virtual coins and promotional credits. It permits criminal prosecution of sweepstakes operators and imposes civil fines ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. Anyone who violates the ban also becomes ineligible for a state gaming employee license.

The House passed LD 2007 by a vote of 87-55. The bill was introduced by Sen. Craig Hickman, with fines collected directed to the Gambling Addiction Prevention and Treatment Fund.

DraftKings Senior Director of Legal and Government Affairs Kevin Cochran said during legislative hearings:

“With the passage of LD1164 last year and earlier this month, Maine has taken a step forward in legalizing a framework for online casino gaming that prioritizes consumer protection, responsible gaming and regulatory oversight. Unregulated sweepstakes-style casino platforms operate outside of that framework, drawing players away from licensed operators and undermining the intent of the law.”

The move follows a wave of state-level sweepstakes bans, with Indiana becoming one of the first states in 2026 to formally outlaw the platforms after Gov. Mike Braun signed HB 1052 in March.

Regulated market context

Maine legalized iGaming in January 2026, with regulated online casino platforms expected to launch through tribal partnerships in 2027. The sweepstakes ban clears the competitive landscape ahead of that launch.

On the credit card side, Maine joins a growing state-level consensus. BetMGM began phasing out credit card deposits from March 31, following FanDuel’s ban from March 2 and DraftKings, which stopped accepting credit cards in August 2025.

Maine now joins Massachusetts, Vermont, Illinois, Tennessee and New Hampshire in banning credit card use for online betting.

For sweepstakes operators still active in Maine, the practical options are limited. They may exit the market, implement geofencing to block in-state users or attempt to restructure their products to fall outside LD 2007’s definition, a difficult task given how broadly the law is written.

With Maryland and several other states advancing similar legislation, the regulated iGaming buildout is increasingly closing the door on unregulated alternatives.