Why There Could Be a Delay in Maine's Sports Betting Launch

On May 2, Maine became the first state to legalize sports betting in 2022 when Gov. Janet Mills signed a sports wagering bill into law.

But it could be some time before Maine residents are allowed to start using mobile sports betting apps. 

What is Delaying Maine’s Sports Betting Launch?

Rules and regulations for sports betting still need to be drafted this summer, and the state still has to hire two employees to oversee sports betting sites. Public hearings and written comments are also required, which is a process that could take eight months to a year and a half to finish.

Milton Champion, the executive director of Maine’s gambling control unit, told the Bangor Daily News the timeline for the approval of the rules could come down to the response from the industry. 

The estimated span of eight months or a year and a half sets Maine sportsbooks up for an online launch between April 2023 and early 2024 with the live date sometime after that. 

“Compared to other states, while Maine may be low in population and potential revenue from sports wagering, as director I will not take any shortened measures to regulate this industry,” Champion wrote in an email to the Bangor Daily News. 

According to data from Victor-Strategies, on average, states who have legalized sports betting took 156 days from legalization before they started taking in-person sports bets and 237 days for mobile betting. 

Maine Sports Betting Overview

The new sports betting law gives Maine’s tribes exclusive control of the state’s mobile betting. 

Online wagers are projected to account for 85% of the total revenue. 

Retail sports betting licenses are reserved for casinos and off-track betting parlors. 

Maine has a 10% tax rate on sports betting revenue.