Maine Legal Sports Betting

Don’t forget about Maine. Yes, they’re practically in Canada with how north they are. Yes, they took forever to legalize sports betting. Yes, they legalized it in a unique manner. But let bygones be bygones as we focus on how bettors can capitalize on the state’s brand-spanking new betting market.

What’s legal? What’s not? What are the best sportsbooks? There’s a lot to unpack here because Maine, true to the state’s ethos, did things their own way with legalized betting. Keep reading and we’ll give you the full lowdown on betting in Maine (and not just sports either).

Is Sports Betting Legal In Maine?

It’s legal — at long last. The state signed it into bill in the middle of 2022. However, it would be over a year before it finally launched in November 2023. However, it’s not the typical sports betting market most states have.

Maine granted four sports betting licenses — all to four federally recognized Native American tribes. These tribes then decided to partner with a big-name operator to offer sports betting. Three tribes chose Caesars, while the other went with DraftKings. BetMGM is expected to partner with a different tribe in the near future, but for now, it’s a two-operator state.

International Online Sportsbooks Available In Maine

While sports betting is legal in Maine, bettors should be aware that certain types of wagers are off-limits at state-regulated sportsbooks. Maine offers a solid legal betting market, but some popular betting options can only be found through international sportsbooks. Legal sportsbooks in the state are prohibited from offering wagers on political events and may have restrictions on in-state college teams. Additionally, niche markets like entertainment props or lesser-known sports often aren’t available through Maine-regulated operators.

For bettors interested in these types of wagers, international sportsbooks provide a wider range of options. Offshore sportsbooks allow bets on political events, offer a full spectrum of college sports without restrictions, and feature various specialty markets that aren't offered by legal Maine sportsbooks. By expanding your betting options to include international sportsbooks, you can enjoy access to a broader and more comprehensive selection of markets.

Although offshore sportsbooks come with some risks, the platforms we recommend are carefully vetted for safety, security, and reliability. Our team has used these sites for years, ensuring they provide fast payouts and treat customers fairly. We only recommend trusted operators with established reputations, allowing you to enjoy a wider variety of betting options without sacrificing safety or peace of mind.

Maine Online Sportsbook Comparison

Well be honest, both Caesars and DraftKings are fine betting apps — but for different reasons. As a bettor, it’s on you to understand these reasonings and pick accordingly. So what we’ve done is list five features bettors typically care about most, that way, you can pick the app that most resonates with you. We hope this helps your decision-making process:

Best sportsbook for bonuses: This one is a tie, and that’s not us copping out either. Neither bookie is that incentivized to offer big bonuses in Maine since there’s not a free market with massive operators. If anything, they just copy one another so one never looks better than the other. We’re seeing both offer $250 in bonus bets to new players — and trust us, that’s not a coincidence. That’s why we’re just calling this a tie cause it really is.

Best sportsbook for betting options: Here again, the two sportsbooks are more similar than they are different. Options and prices are nearly identical across the board. However, we give a slight edge to DraftKings because they have a knack for “boosting odds.” It’s technically a promotion, but they’ll improve the betting lines of a matchup from time to time. It ends up creating more value for the bettor, which gives them the upper hand here.

Best sportsbook for live betting: DraftKings takes the top spot for live betting, and it’s easy to see why. The speed of their in-play betting feature is unmatched, with live odds loading almost instantly, thanks to a sophisticated AI engine working behind the scenes. Whether you’re following the NFL, NBA, UFC, or any other sport, the odds update in near real-time (there’s a small broadcast delay but that’s not DraftKings’ fault), giving you the best chance to react quickly and place strategic bets. After all, every second counts with in-play betting

Best sportsbook for rewards: We like Caesars more here. The Caesars Rewards programs offers more than just the usual in-app perks like cashback. No, they offer real-life perks too — rooms, dining, entertainment — which can be redeemed at one of their properties across the country, and heck, even the world. Combining both in-app and real-life rewards is a double whammy.

Best sportsbook for user experience: If you're a big-time NFL bettor, Caesars is the pick here. Why? They offer NFL game streaming directly inside the app. You can catch local market games and primetime matchups like Thursday, Sunday, and Monday Night Football every week. The best part? No need for a TV or streaming service — you can watch it all right in the app for free. It’s truly a game-changing feature.

Maine Quick Facts

What You Can’t Bet On In Maine?

A few things end up on Maine’s no-no list for betting. Here’s what you won’t find in the state:

Local college sports: There will be no betting allowed on Maine’s own college sports teams. Zero of it is allowed so you’ll have to get action on Maine Black Bears release.

Online casino games: All casino betting has to take place in one of the two casinos in state — Hollywood or Oxford. No iGaming is allowed.

Non-sports events: Similar to other states, Maine prohibits betting on non-sporting events. This means no political outcomes, award shows, or entertainment like TV show results.

Looking for these types of bets? Offshore sportsbooks got these markets, plus more. They’re perfect alternatives that work perfectly fine across the state of Maine.

Who Can Legally Bet in Maine?

For the few things you can’t do in Maine, there are way more things you can do. Here’s what’s on the table:

Legal age: The legal age to throw money on sports in Maine is 21, which aligns with most states across the country.

Mobile betting: Maine permits mobile betting, allowing residents and visitors to place bets from anywhere within the state. As long as you're inside Maine's borders, you're good to use Caesars or DraftKings.

Retail sportsbooks: Maine offers in-person betting at its casinos and racetracks. If anything, they are fun social experiences to watch and bet with others.

Remote registration: Bettors in Maine can sign up for sportsbooks entirely online, without needing to visit a physical location. This allows for easy access to sports betting right from your phone or computer.

Taxable winnings: Like in most states, gambling winnings in Maine are considered taxable income. Any earnings must be reported to both the state and federal government so keep track of your wins — Uncle Sam will be looking for his cut come tax season.

Maine Casinos

So the two casinos in Maine are not actually native casinos — despite the natives getting sports-betting licenses. No, the two casinos are 100% commercial. They are as follows:

• Oxford Casino Hotel: Located in Oxford, Maine, this casino offers a variety of gaming options, including over 900 slot machines and a range of table games such as blackjack, roulette, craps, and poker. Oxford Casino also has a hotel with dining options, making it a full resort experience.
• Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway Bangor: Located in Bangor, Hollywood Casino features around 700 slot machines, along with table games like blackjack, roulette, and poker. It also offers harness racing at its raceway, making it a unique destination for both casino gaming and racing enthusiasts. The venue includes a hotel and dining options as well.

Maine Sports Betting Legalization Timeline

Why did it take Maine so long to come around sports betting? Let's go back through the timeline, shall we?

2018-2021: Early Hope Goes Nowhere

With the possibility in 2018 for states other than Nevada to legalize sports betting and start bringing in the revenue, Maine got started early. In that same year, though progress was made, they were not able to pass meaningful sports betting legislation.

Both chambers of the legislative branch passed a bill to legalize sports betting. It was right at the close of the session. So, the governor, who seemed unsure about her decision, was able to leave it unsigned until the following year's sessions.

On the last day possible, she vetoed the bill. If she had left it unsigned one more day, it would have automatically become law.

2022: Hurry-Up Offense

It seemed like sports betting would never get going inside the state. But all of a sudden, there was a new dash of energy in 2022. Rather than re-do old bills, lawmakers drafted a new one. It passed the House, Senate, and eventually hit the governor's desk that year. It was signed and became effective on August 2022, at last scoring a touchdown for in-state bettors.

Latest Maine Betting News

Jul 3, 2024 02:01 AM

Maine Sports Betting Officials Crack Down on Daily Fantasy Sites

Jul 25, 2023 07:36 PM

Maine Sports Betting Remains on Track for 2023 Rollout

Nov 18, 2022 06:51 AM

Maine Online Sports Betting Expected to Rollout By 2024

May 4, 2022 03:41 AM

It's Official, Maine Is Next To Get Legal Sports Betting

Latest Maine Legal Betting Updates

Nov 21, 2024 08:50 AM

Maine sports betting, initiated in November 2023, faces a potential halt in November 2024 due to unresolved licensing issues.

A Brief Timeline of the Legality of Maine Sports Betting

How To Bet On Sports In Maine?

Besides disqualifying some bets that are prohibited (e.g. Maine-based college games), the sportsbook menu you get from Caesars and DraftKings in the state is no different than what’s in New York or Arizona. And by that, we mean the betting selection is jam-packed with every sport and league you can think of. Here are the categories that’ll likely be the most bet in Maine though:

How To Bet On Football In Maine?

You already know football is the most wagered sport in Maine — just like it is across every state. From September to February, it’s just a madhouse of opportunity. This goes for the college game too, not just the NFL. But it all peaks with the Super Bowl in February, which is an absolute haven for prop bettors. You better believe Caesars and DraftKings will bring their best during this entire stretch, there’s room for much money on the line not to.

How To Bet On Basketball In Maine?

If you’re looking for an extra rush, try in-play betting on basketball. It’s the perfect kind of chaotic fun, thanks to the sport’s high-scoring and momentum-based nature. The ebbs and flows of in-play betting mirror sports gambling as a whole, only it’s packed into a two- to three-hour game.  Speaking of thrill, that’s the March Madness tournament as a whole. This is another betting event that can’t be missed as a bettor.

How To Bet On Baseball In Maine?

No other sport presents the sheer amount of betting opportunities that baseball does. We’re talking hundreds of bets per day for about six months straight. The MLB’s 162-game schedule is a dream for opportunistic bettors in Maine. If there's one sport to really get good at, it's probably baseball due to those opportunities.

How To Bet On Fighting In Maine?

Maine sportsbooks provide comprehensive coverage for all major fighting events, including UFC, boxing, and other promotions like Bellator and PFL. With fight cards happening almost every weekend, there’s plenty of action for combat sports fans. Word of advice: don’t only throw money on the main events. Often, the deepest betting value lies in the undercard bouts.

Betting on Maine Teams

No professional sports teams call Maine home unless you’re counting a minor-league baseball team like the Portland Sea Dogs (we’re certainly not counting them). Because of this, Maine residents end up becoming Boston sports fans more often than not. You see a lot of Red Sox and Patriots fandom up and down the state. Those teams are really available to bet on at Caesars or DraftKings, no questions asked.

Betting on Maine College Teams

The University of Maine Black Bears dominate the local sports scene. Whether it’s football, basketball, or hockey (it’s really popular this side of the country), local college rivalries and regional matchups offer intrigue. The issue is, these bets are off-limits in Maine due to regulators not allowing local-area teams to be wagered on. Bummer, we know, but it’s state rules.

Maine Betting Revenue Statistics

It’s tough to gauge Maine’s sports betting success, really. One look at the headlines and it may seem like things are disastrous. Take this news piece that was making the rounds: Maine earned only $35.6 million in sports betting revenue in August 2024 — down 17% from July. Is the sky falling? Probably not. While the numbers aren’t good, the reality is summer is a down period for most states.

The real test of Maine’s sports betting night will be in the Fall when both the NFL and NCAA are in football action. This will be the first full year with legalized sports betting during football season as last year it launched in the middle of the action. This period is the bread and butter of all states, and we suspect Maine will smash their own records.

Other Types Of Betting In Maine

Beyond sports betting, Maine offers what we’ll call the “four horsemen” of betting. Here are all the options:

Horse Race Betting: You can legally bet on horse races both online and at racetracks like Scarborough Downs and Hollywood Casino Bangor.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS): DFS is legal in Maine, and platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, and PrizePicks allow users to enter contests based on real-life player performances.

Tribal Casinos: Maine has two casinos —Hollywood Casino in Bangor and Oxford Casino— where Vegas-style games like slots, poker, blackjack, and roulette are there for the taking.

Lottery: The Maine Lottery offers a variety of games, including Powerball, Mega Millions, and scratch-off tickets, which can be purchased both in-person and online.

Sports Betting Rules In Each State

Want to bet outside of Maine? No problem! Choose a state below, and we’ll guide you step-by-step on how to bet there legally. Just click on a link and get all the details you need to start betting with confidence!