Maine gambling board urges governor to veto iGaming bill over monopoly concerns

• Gaming Control Board sends letter to Governor Janet Mills requesting veto of LD 1164 on 17 December 2025.
• Bill would grant four Wabanaki Nations exclusive rights to operate online casinos, excluding commercial properties.
• Board warns legislation could lead to loss of 100 to 200 jobs at Oxford Casino and Hollywood Casino.

The Maine Gambling Control Board has formally urged Governor Janet Mills to veto approved iGaming legislation, warning that the bill creates a monopoly and threatens jobs at the state’s commercial casinos. The recommendation came in a letter dated 17 December 2025 to the governor.

Steven J. Silver, chairman of the Gaming Control Board, wrote to Mills on behalf of the unanimous board.

The letter opposes LD 1164, which would legalise iGaming exclusively for the four tribes of the Wabanaki Nations: the Penobscot Nation, Passamaquoddy Tribe, Mi’kmaq Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians.

Concerns over monopoly and job losses

According to the letter obtained by Sports Betting Dime, the board’s primary concern centres on the exclusion of Oxford Casino and Hollywood Casino from iGaming operations. This exclusion, the board argues, creates a monopoly harmful to consumers and Maine workers.

Silver wrote:

“Although the Board has varying personal opinions about the general merits of legalizing Internet Gaming (‘iGaming’), we are unified in our belief that any qualified operator should have the ability to obtain an iGaming license including the Wabanaki Nations.

“Cutting out Oxford and Hollywood Casinos entirely from offering iGaming is ill-advised and creates a monopoly that is harmful to consumers and the Maine workers employed by Oxford and Hollywood Casinos.”

The board warned that without allowing the two commercial casinos to benefit from iGaming revenues, the legislation could lead to substantial job losses.

Oxford Casino employs nearly 1,000 Maine residents, and representatives from the property explained during the board’s October meeting that approximately 120 residents would lose their jobs due to LD 1164’s impact. Hollywood Casino anticipates similar job losses.

Silver stated:

“We cannot afford to put 100-200 Mainers out of work.”

Problem gaming rates increase

The letter also highlighted concerns about rising problem gaming rates.

In 2022, the Gaming Control Board recorded 133 residents who self-excluded from casino gambling prior to the legalisation of online sports betting. Currently, 498 residents have self-excluded, representing a 275% increase in just three years.

The board warned that legalised iGaming would add to addiction rates. Silver concluded:

“We understand that you have a difficult decision to make in January. However, after hearing from our current gaming licensees, we know that LD 1164 would cause significant harm to Mainers. Therefore, we the Maine Gambling Control Board, unanimously urge you to veto LD 1164.”

Legislative history and timing

LD 1164 had an unusual path to approval in 2025. The bill was introduced early in the year but received little interest. It was resurrected by the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee in May after Governor Mills directed lawmakers to return for a special session to discuss the state’s upcoming budget.

The Maine House approved the bill by an 85-59 vote in June. The Senate took a different route to approval, initially tabling the bill on 12 June. The Senate ultimately passed the bill without a roll call, then took it up again late Monday night, but a motion to reconsider failed 17-18.

Mills chose to take no action on the bill prior to the conclusion of the legislative session. Under Maine law, once both legislative chambers pass a bill and present it to the governor, she has 10 days (excluding Sundays) to either sign it or veto it. If the legislature has adjourned, the governor’s inaction results in a “pocket veto”, and the bill does not become law.

When the legislature reconvenes on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, Mills will have three days to sign, veto, or take no action on the bill. If she fails to act again, the bill will automatically become law.

Bill provisions and revenue projections

Under LD 1164, each of the four tribes would be allowed to partner with a third-party operator for its iGaming platforms. The tribes currently partner with Caesars Sportsbook (Mi’kmaq Nation, Maliseet Tribe, and Penobscot Nation) and DraftKings (Passamaquoddy Tribe) for sports betting services. These partnerships would likely extend to iGaming if the bill becomes law.

Tribes can offer online casino games including blackjack, poker, dice, craps, roulette, and baccarat. The games would be taxed at a rate of 16%. Maine would earmark iGaming funds to address problem gaming programmes, substance use disorder, veteran housing, and emergency housing relief.

A fiscal note for the bill projects the state can expect $3,600,000 in new tax revenues by fiscal year 2026-2027.

If signed into law, Maine would become the 8th state in the country to approve iGaming. Mills’ administration, including the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and Gaming Control Board Chair Silver, testified against the bill in committee, raising concerns about gambling addiction and job losses in the retail sector.

A poll commissioned by the National Association Against iGaming and conducted by Lake Research Partners in December 2025 found that 64% of Maine voters oppose legalising iGaming, with 49% strongly opposed. Opposition crosses party lines, including 69% of Democrats, 58% of Republicans, and 70% of independents.