Maine Legalizes Sports Betting After House and Senate Give Their Approval

June 22, 2019 Andrej Vidovic

The House and Senate of Maine have, during the state’s last two days of regular session, approved sports betting legislation, making this state the third in the New England area to make this vertical legal.

After the rapid advancement of Legislative Document 553 through the legislature on Tuesday, June 18th, 2019, the following day each chamber gave final approval. The document will now be ed to Governor, Janet Mills, who would sign the bill into law.

Bill’s Rapid Progress

The bill was originally filed by Senator, Louis Lucchini, in January this year …

…when he submitted it to Veterans and the Legal Affairs Committee, during which lawmakers developed a regulatory framework. After the completion of this, the bill moved through the Senate and House which was assisted by rules suspension that would allow two readings in a day.

The document applies to all of Mobile operators will be allowed to apply for licenses and for that, they won’t be needing land-based partners.

It’s Been Coming

The Pine Tree State was very focused on jumping aboard this lucrative gambling sector’s bandwagon…

…mainly because the experts in this area estimate that sports betting could collect an additional $150 million to the state budget every year!

In April, a meeting was held between state lawmakers and Hollywood Casino Hotel and Raceway and Oxford Casino representatives, when the future of sports betting in Maine was discussed.

Scarborough Downs racetrack publicity director, Michael Sweeney, remarked that sports betting legalization would help businesses gain more money.

“This is an opportunity for industries that are home-grown, locally based, small mom-and-pop businesses to grow and thrive.”

Milton Champion, executive director of the Gambling Control Unit, added:

“There is only so much discretionary funds available, in my view, indicates that New England has or is very close to reaching its saturation point. It is essential, however, that we have the ability to offer what the competition offers. And by competition, I am referring to other states.”