Maine’s online casino market could face a longer regulatory timeline if state officials make major changes to the latest draft of its proposed rules.
The Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU) is accepting comments on its third publication of the proposed iGaming rules until October 30.
Executive Director Milt Champion told attendees at Tuesday’s meeting that significant revisions to the draft would require the agency to issue a fourth publication.
The regulator is also in the process of hiring six new employees to oversee iGaming, and it has secured approval for a new licensing database and portal.
Maine will become the eighth US state to launch an online casino market.
Another comment round would extend the timeline
The MGCU released the third publication on September 30, which included several revisions to the previous draft.
“We’re in our third publication, and the comments are due the 30th of October,” Champion said Tuesday. “If we don’t accept any more major substantive changes, we’ll go on with the process. But if we do accept any major substantive changes, that will go through a fourth publication.”
Under Maine’s rulemaking law, a fourth publication would open a new comment period. The MGCU would then have up to 120 days after the close of comments to adopt the rules, while the Office of the Attorney General would have up to 150 days from that same date to approve them for legality. This sequence could delay the launch beyond the first quarter of 2027.
Champion did not offer a specific timeline at the meeting.
Licensing moves online
Champion said the MGCU received approval to implement a new licensing database and portal. Through the system, applicants will be able to apply and pay for licenses online, and the platform will handle most operational processes, including approvals and invoicing. Licensees can create logins and receive alerts about those activities.
“This is obviously a great addition to our regulatory oversight,” Champion said.
The regulator is working to add six staff members dedicated to iGaming oversight. Champion compared the rulemaking process to the state’s sports wagering rollout in 2022 and 2023.
“It’s been as busy as the time frame that we had with sports wagering,” Champion said. “More so because it’s a new product.”
Wabanaki tribes hold exclusive rights
Gov. Janet Mills allowed LD 1164 to become law in January, even though the state’s gaming regulators had sent her a letter asking her to veto it. The legislation grants Maine’s four federally recognized Wabanaki tribes exclusive rights to operate online casinos, which is similar to the framework for the state’s online sports betting market.
In online sports betting, three of the tribes partner with Caesars, while the Passamaquoddy Tribe works with DraftKings.
September draft eases live dealer requirements
The September draft introduced several changes from the July version. Live dealer studios may now operate outside Maine with approval from the director. Backend systems also no longer need to be located in the state; however, the primary server that accepts and stores live dealer wagers must remain in Maine.
In addition, routine game updates such as patches and security fixes will no longer require separate approval.
The revised rules also restrict marketing aimed at anyone younger than 21. Advertisements must include the beneficiary tribe’s name and logo in the same font size as its operator partner’s. Self-exclusion will move to a real-time automated system that a third party will run.
The core financial terms did not change from the previous draft. Operators remain subject to an 18% tax on adjusted gross iGaming receipts and a $50,000 operator license fee, and they must hold a $500,000 bond.