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MaineLD 1164132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Create Economic Opportunity for the Wabanaki Nations Through Internet Gaming

Sponsored By: Ambureen Rana (Democratic)

Became Law

GAMBLINGGAMBLING - INTERNET

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

16 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 3 costs, 8 mixed.

New licenses and fees for gaming

The law creates operator, supplier, management, and employee licenses. Fees: $50,000 each year for an operator license; $10,000 each year for supplier and management licenses, plus processing fees tied to background checks (with refunds or extra charges if estimates miss actual costs). Licenses last one year; the director may issue temporary licenses once you apply and pay. Suppliers must use director‑approved, lab‑tested equipment and list products; the director may accept other states’ approvals. Management firms may contract with an operator only under a director‑approved, written contract. Licensees must report material changes, including who controls the company, within 30 days.

Age checks, refunds, and self-exclusion

Operators must verify your age, identity, and that you are in Maine before you bet. They must refund any bet placed by a prohibited person. Operators must post clear house rules on payouts, voided bets, errors, and late wagers, and get them approved. You can put yourself on a self‑exclusion list, and operators must block excluded people.

Background checks and license limits

Applicants and control persons must pass state and FBI background checks with fingerprints. The director can set job classes with different license rules. The law lists many denial reasons, including false statements, serious crimes, unpaid taxes (unless under appeal), weak finances, or not naming control persons. Gambling Control Unit employees cannot apply. State law adds this group to the list that must use the state criminal‑history check system.

Stricter rules for gaming contractors

Firms that run an operator’s internet gaming must hold a management services license and get the director’s approval of a written contract. You must get approval for any major contract change. You cannot transfer work or pay rights to any unlicensed firm.

18% state take on online gaming

Operators pay 18% of adjusted gross internet gaming receipts (AGR) to the state. The split is: 2% Gambling Control Unit admin, 2% gambling addiction treatment, 2.5% dairy stabilization, 1.5% opioid treatment, 2% emergency housing relief, 5% veterans’ homes, 1% Fund for a Healthy Maine, and 2% school renovation. The director collects fees, penalties, and taxes and sets due dates; late payments owe 1.5% interest per month. AGR means gross gaming money minus player winnings and federal excise taxes.

Child support taken from big winnings

Before paying winnings at or above the IRS W‑2G level, licensees must check a state child‑support registry. If you owe liquidated child support, the licensee withholds up to the debt, sends it to the state within 7 days, and may keep $10. You can ask for a hearing within 15 days on the debt’s status. If a licensee fails to withhold, they owe at least $500 or the required amount plus costs. Your information is kept confidential by law.

Compliance, audits, and data safeguards

The director sets internal controls, audits, and regular revenue reports. Operators must report unusual betting quickly, help law enforcement, and keep those reports confidential. Operators must keep detailed wagering records for 3 years, keep real‑time anonymized account data for integrity checks, and secure customer data. The director and staff can inspect operator facilities, devices, and records, including locked areas, during business hours.

Penalties, investigations, and appeals

The director can fine licensees up to $25,000 per violation, or suspend or revoke a license. After a complaint investigation, the director sends a notice and you have 30 days to ask for a hearing. If the director denies your application or renewal, you also have 30 days to ask for a hearing. After a hearing, the commissioner can change or uphold the decision. You can appeal the commissioner’s final decision to Superior Court.

Limits on management company payouts

Management company contracts may not pay more than 30% of an operator’s adjusted gross internet gaming receipts. The director can approve up to 40% if the fee is commercially reasonable and reflects capital investment. Contracts must be approved, and management firms must be licensed before they operate.

Limits on gaming ads and scope

Operators cannot run misleading ads and must say when they are a federally recognized tribe or a tribal business. Ads that reach or appeal to people under 21 are restricted as allowed by law. Internet gaming covers online card, dice, and other chance games the director approves. It does not include table games or slots, pari‑mutuel pools, fantasy contests, mobile sports betting, or advance deposit wagering.

Tribal-run internet gaming now legal

Internet gaming is legal in Maine only under this program. Only federally recognized Maine tribes can hold an operator license, and each gets one license. Players must be in Maine and 21 or older, and some people (like operator staff, those with a stake in outcomes, and Gambling Control Unit staff) may not bet. Each operator may use only one management company. Licensed play is not treated as a "game of chance" and is exempt from some crimes, but unlicensed or rule‑breaking activity can face criminal or civil penalties.

More staff and money for oversight

The state funds Gambling Control Board staffing: $645,354 in FY2025‑26 and $668,001 in FY2026‑27 for six positions. It also provides $70,000 each year for position costs and $200,000 (FY2025‑26) and $400,000 (FY2026‑27) for administrative expenses from special revenue. This builds capacity to oversee internet gaming.

More aid for housing, veterans, schools

The law provides $200,000 in FY 2025–26 and $400,000 in FY 2026–27 for emergency housing relief. It adds $500,000 and then $1,000,000 to support Maine veterans’ homes. It also provides $200,000 and then $400,000 for school renovation loans and grants.

More money for health programs

The law provides $100,000 in FY 2025–26 and $200,000 in FY 2026–27 to the Fund for a Healthy Maine. It adds $200,000 and then $400,000 for Maine CDC activities. It also provides $150,000 and then $300,000 for opioid use disorder prevention and treatment.

More funds for Maine dairy

The state gives $250,000 in FY2025‑26 and $500,000 in FY2026‑27 to the Maine Milk Commission. The money supports dairy stabilization activities that help milk producers.

Licenses and background checks for gaming workers

You must hold an occupational license to work in or run internet gaming. The application fee is $250 (nonrefundable). Renewals cost $25 for one year or $50 for three years, and an operator may pay them. If you already have an active casino or sports wagering employee license, you do not pay the initial or renewal fees for the related internet‑gaming or sports‑wagering license. Operators may only use staff who hold valid occupational licenses, and conduct that would be an offense under chapter 39 can disqualify applicants. Sports wagering licensing rules match internet‑gaming and casino employee processes. Fingerprinting and criminal‑history checks are required on request; you pay a fee set by the director, State Police take your prints, and the state uses the money (except the FBI fee) to run the checks.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ambureen Rana

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Aaron Dana

    T • House

  • Amy Roeder

    Democratic • House

  • Arthur Mingo

    Republican • House

  • Craig V. Hickman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Eleanor Sato

    Democratic • House

  • Marianne Moore

    Republican • Senate

  • Rachel Talbot Ross

    Democratic • Senate

  • Rafael Macias

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 259 • No: 205

House vote • 6/17/2025

Enactment

Yes: 87 • No: 60

Senate vote • 6/16/2025

RECONSIDER

Yes: 19 • No: 15

Senate vote • 6/16/2025

RECONSIDER

Yes: 17 • No: 18

Senate vote • 6/16/2025

INDEFINITELY POSTPONE

Yes: 17 • No: 18

Senate vote • 6/16/2025

ACCEPT MINORITY OUGHT NOT TO PASS REPORT

Yes: 17 • No: 18

House vote • 6/12/2025

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 85 • No: 59

Senate vote • 6/12/2025

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 17 • No: 17

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 538

    1/11/2026

  2. HELD BY THE GOVERNOR.

    7/8/2025Senate

  3. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table PASSED TO BE ENACTED in concurrence.

    6/25/2025Senate

  4. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence

    6/17/2025Senate

  5. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. ROLL CALL NO. 550(Yeas 87 - Nays 60 - Absent 2 - Excused 2)Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/17/2025House

  6. Taken from the table by the President The motion to RECONSIDER where by the Senate FAILED ACCEPTANCE of The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report FAILED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 570 Yeas 19 - Nays 15 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 Subsequently ACCEPTANCE of The Minority Ought Not To Pass Report FAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 573 Yeas 17 - Nays 18 - Excused 0 - Absent 0 Subsequently, The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-393) Report ACCEPTED. READ ONCE Motion by Senator STEWART of Aroostook to INDEFINITELY POSTPONE bill and accompanying papers FAILED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 574 Yeas 17 - Nays 18 - Excused 0 - Absent 0 Committee Amendment "A" (H-393) READ and ADOPTED. Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-393) HELD at the Request of Senator STEWART of Aroostook Motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland the Senate RECONSIDERED their actions whereby the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-393) FAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 575 Yeas 17 - Nays 18 - Excused 0 - Absent 0 Subsequently the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-393) in concurrence

    6/16/2025Senate

  7. Unfinished Business

    6/13/2025Senate

  8. Motion by Senator HICKMAN of Kennebec The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report FAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 513 Yeas 17 - Nays 17 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending ACCEPTANCE of the The Minority Ought Not To Pass Report. Taken from the table by the President Motion by Senator TIPPING of Penobscot to RECONSIDER whereby ACCEPTANCE of The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended FAILED Motion by Senator BENNETT of Oxford to adjourn FAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 521 Yeas - 16 Nays - 19 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 Subsequently, On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending RECONSIDERATION whereby ACCEPTANCE of the Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report FAILED

    6/13/2025Senate

  9. Speaker laid before the HouseSubsequently, on motion of Representative SUPICA of Bangor, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 452(Yeas 85 - Nays 59 - Absent 5 - Excused 2)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-393) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-393).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/12/2025House

  10. Unfinished Business

    6/11/2025House

  11. Unfinished Business

    6/10/2025House

  12. Unfinished Business

    6/9/2025House

  13. Unfinished Business

    6/5/2025House

  14. Unfinished Business

    6/4/2025House

  15. Reports READ.On motion of Representative SUPICA of Bangor, TABLED pending ACCEPTANCE of Either Report.Later today assigned.

    6/4/2025House

  16. Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025House

  17. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on VETERANS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS in concurrence

    3/20/2025Senate

  18. Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on VETERANS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/20/2025House

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (H-393), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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