Sports betting is now legal in Maine, which means it’s just about time to get in on the action.
The bill that passed the Maine state senate in April, then was signed into law by Governor Janet Mills on May 2, 2022, also includes legal online sports betting. That means prospective sports bettors won’t even have to leave their homes to get in on the action in the Pine Tree State.
If you’re a prospective online gambler in Maine who may be excited to play but anxious about the details, don’t fret. We’re here to help.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Maine?
Yes. As of May 2, 2022 when the governor signed LD 585 into law. Maine is inviting any of its casinos or horse racetracks to develop brick-and-mortar sportsbooks, in an effort to attract new participants. But the state estimates 85 percent of its betting market will come from online gamblers, and those funds will be split among three of the state’s native tribes, the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Micmac and Maliseet.
When are Online Sportsbooks Launching in Maine?
LD 585 goes into effect 90 days after the bill was signed, or July 31, 2022, which means online sportsbooks will begin scrambling immediately to get their infrastructure in place in time for the launch date. Some may choose to license sportsbooks at either of the state’s two casinos, or any of its horse racetracks, but they also could focus squarely on getting approval for web-based gaming given the market share of online betting.
What Online Sportsbooks Are Coming to Maine?
No online sportsbooks have yet been announced, but here are a few we’d expect to be operational when the practice gets up and running.
Caesars Sportsbook
The Caesars name is synonymous with betting, and when Caesars purchased popular British-based sportsbook William Hill in August 2021, it became a major player in the online sports gambling space. Caesars has great odds and no shortage of markets and should be among the first to edge its way into the online sports gambling space in Maine when it goes live this summer.
All bets with Caesars sportsbook also come with Caesars rewards that can be cashed in for hotel stays, dining credits and more at Caesars properties around the world, including places like Las Vegas, New Orleans and Atlantic City.
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings is the most widely available online sportsbook in the United States and is among the first in nearly every new betting state when online gambling launches there. Expect it to be among the flagship operations when Maine online goes live this summer.
Plus, the DraftKings online sportsbook is great. It has a user-friendly interface and great odds and markets for any sport you’d be interested in betting. DraftKings makes same-game parlays a breeze and loads of boosts for every sport every day.
FanDuel Sportsbook
When FanDuel made the transition from one of the top DFS providers to online sports betting, no one could have predicted how much of an impact it would have. FanDuel has since become the No. 1 sportsbook in the United States, thanks to its creation of the same-game parlay, exceptional odds, terrific promos and boosts and terrific user interface.
FanDuel is always among the first options when betting goes live in a new state. Expect it to do the same in Maine
BetMGM Sportsbook
I love the BetMGM online sportsbook. It has elite odds, terrific promos and boosts while also carrying the prestigious MGM name that is one of the best in casino and sports gambling.
BetMGM was among the first online sportsbooks to go live in Louisiana and New York when each state announced its legal online sports betting rollout, and you can expect it to be among the first in Maine too.
BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers is a terrific sportsbook for new and novice bettors, with a glossary of terms for bettors who may not quite understand the full terminology and might be too intimidated to ask for help. BetRivers also has tips and advice so users can make the most informed decisions possible.
Plus, BetRivers has my personal favorite new-user signup promotion, enabling prospective bettors a $250 first-deposit match with a 1x play-through. The offer essentially doubles a new bettor’s money from the start and gives him/her the option to cash out by playing through the bonus just one time.
Who is Eligible for Maine Sportsbook Account?
There a just a few stipulations on who is eligible to sign up and place wagers in the legal and regulated online sports betting market. They are all similar to the rules that are in place for visiting any retail casino in the state.
Do I Have to be a Resident of Maine to Bet Online?
No! You just need to be within the state’s border in order to wager on sports. This means that both residents and visitors can participate in Maine online sports betting.
What Is the Legal Betting Age in Maine?
Although 18-year-olds can play daily fantasy sports in Maine, the legal betting age is 21. That means prospective sports bettors must be at least 21 years old gamble on sports online.
How Do I Join Maine Sports Betting Sites?
Signing up for a new sportsbook account is a breeze, and only takes a few minutes. All you need to do is register with your correct information, verify your new account, deposit some funds and you’re in on the action.
Online sportsbooks often start new bettors off with a lucrative new player offers, we are able to consistently get you the best new player offer, thanks to our exclusive partnerships with the best sportsbooks. Here’s a look at how to take advantage.
- Find the best sportsbook for you in the list of sportsbooks above.
- Click on the “Get Bonus" button to be magically whisked away to the registration page.
- Each site will have their own process, but typically there will be a “register" or similar button.
- Enter your information and be sure to use the promo code (if available) when prompted to guarantee the best new player offer.
- The verification process should only take a few seconds
- Deposit funds and start betting
Once you are done with the registration process, that can be done either on your computer or browser on your phone, you can then download the sportsbook app from either the Apple App Store or Google Play store and log in with your new username and password.
How To Fund My Account
Online sportsbooks make it easy to deposit funds and withdraw winnings in other states in which sports betting is legal. Banking Options will vary by site, but the most popular options are listed below.
Deposit Options
Each operator will have different payment methods, so check that your preferred payment method is available before signing up. Deposits are instant, but some options may take a day or two to clear your bank account.
- Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, AMEX, Mastercard, Discover)
- Prepaid Cards
- Play+ Cards
- PayPal
- Venmo (FanDuel only)
- PayNearMe
- ACH/eCheck
Withdrawal Options
There are fewer options to withdraw funds, but cashing out is still easy. Here are some of the best ways to do so.
- Cash At Casino Cage
- Play+ Prepaid Cards
- PayPal
- Visa
- ACH/eCheck
- Check By Mail
Why Should I Join a Maine Betting Site?
Betting is fun, and if you’re interested in participating in sports gambling, doing so at a regulated, online sportsbook is really the best way to play. You can participate in the action from the comfort of your home or while you’re out with friends or even from your bed. Plus, online bettors can odds-shop to find the best potential profit for the bets they love.
Why Avoid Offshore Sportsbooks
- Offshore sportsbooks are illegal and unregulated.
- There are way fewer banking options and many are unsecured.
- You can’t trust that you’ll be paid.
- There are fewer betting options available.
- There are no online sports betting apps available, so it’s more inconvenient.
How to Download a Maine Betting App
Once you are registered for a new account downloading a new sportsbook app onto your phone or mobile device is simple. Just follow the steps below:
iPhone
- Go to the App Store
- Search for your preferred sportsbook app
- Click on the app and click “Get”
- Confirm the installation with verification
Android
- Open Google Play and use the Play Store app
- Search for the sportsbook app of your choice
- Tap Install and wait for the app to download
If you can’t find the app on the Play Store, you can sometimes download it directly from the official sportsbook website.
What Sports Can I Bet on in Maine
Below is a list of the most popular options for sports betting in New York. Each sportsbook will have its own list of available betting markets.
- Football (NFL, NCAA)
- Basketball (NBA, NCAA)
- Baseball (MLB)
- Hockey (NHL, NCAA)
- Soccer (EPL, MLS)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Motorsports (NASCAR, Formula 1)
- Boxing
- Mixed Martial Arts (UFC)
Betting Restrictions
Each sportsbook has its own rules and regulations, so not every betting site follows the same guidelines. There are, however, certain restrictions that all sports bettors must follow in the state of ME. Below are the following restrictions:
- Bettors cannot wager on high school athletics
- Bettors cannot wager on in-state college teams
Local Sports Teams to Bet on
The following teams are local to the state of Maine:
- New England Patriots
- Boston Red Sox
- Boston Bruins
- Boston Celtics
- New England Revolution
- Boston College Eagles (NCAA)
- UMass Minutemen (NCAA)
- University of Vermont Catamounts (NCAA)
- University of New Hampshire Wildcats (NCAA)
Bet Types Available
- Moneyline: The moneyline is the most basic form of sports betting. It’s simply the bettor picking which team will win, balanced by the sportsbook’s odds that it will happen. The favorite will have negative moneyline odds, while the underdog will typically have a positive moneyline.
- Point Spread: The margin of victory involved in betting Against The Spread (ATS). The bettor is wagering on the point margin between two teams.
- Totals: Also known as an Over/Under, is betting on a game or prop total for more (Over) or fewer (Under) than a sportsbook-designated total.
- Props: Bet on an item not directly involved with the score/result of a game. A prop could be a player’s total points scored, home runs hit, touchdowns scored, and it can be team totals like passing yards, three-pointers made, etc.
- Live Betting: Live betting allows a sports bettor to place wagers on games as they happen. The sportsbook will change the odds as the game progresses depending on what’s happening in the game.
- Futures: Betting on an event, statistic, or anything similar to occur after the end of a full event or season. An example of this would be betting on next year’s Super Bowl winner in the preseason.
- Parlays: A single bet that links together two or more individual wagers and is dependent on all of those wagers winning together. If any of the bets in the parlay lose, the entire parlay wager loses.
Maine Retail Sportsbooks
If you prefer the feeling of a paper bet slip in your hand, retail sportsbooks will also be rolled out in the months ahead. The approved legislation enables casinos and racetracks to offer retail, or brick-and-mortar sportsbooks at their sites. Here’s a look at some places where bettors should be able to place wagers when sports betting goes into effect:
- Hollywood Casino, Hotel and Raceway, Bangor, Maine
- Oxford Casino/Hotel, Oxford, Maine
- Scarborough Downs, Scarborough, Maine
Can I Play at Online Casinos in Maine?
Online casino betting was not part of the legalization process in Maine. There are two brick-and-mortar casinos in the state, in Oxford and Bangor, where those interested in playing casino games may take advantage of that.
Online casino betting could become available down the road in Maine. It’s just not part of this legislation.
When Did Maine Sports Betting Become Legal?
Maine online sports betting was passed by the state’s congress in April 2022, and the bill went to Mills’ desk for signature in May. She signed the bill into law on May 2, 2022.
Maine Sports Betting Timeline
- May 14, 2018 - The United States Supreme Court rules in favor of New Jersey and declares the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) unlawful. This allowed all states to legalize sports betting.
- March-April 2019: The Maine state house proposes six different legal documents to legalize and regulate sports gambling in the state, but none are debated
- June 18, 2019: Maine state senate passes Legal Document (LD) 553, which would legalize sports betting in the state
- January 10, 2020: Governor Janet Mills vetoes LD 553
- February 11, 2020: Maine state senate passes LD 553 again by a 85-57 margin (60%), short of the two-thirds majority needed to override Mills’ veto
- February 24, 2021: LD 585 is introduced in the Maine state senate aimed at allowing state tribes a chance at creating their own jurisdiction in the state.
- April 7, 2021: Maine state senate introduces LD 1352, which would bring legal sports gambling in the state.
- June 30, 2021: LD 1352 passes the Maine state house and moves to the state senate for a vote
- July 19, 2021: LD 1352 passes the Maine senate and moved to be considered by the 130th state congress
- March 18, 2022: LD 585 advances beyond committee and moves to the Maine state house for a vote
- April 15, 2022: Maine state house passes LD 585, which includes language legalizing sports betting, and moves it to the state senate to be considered
- April 25, 2022: Maine state senate passes LD 585 by a 23-11 vote, moves it to the governor’s desk for ratification
- May 2, 2022: Governor Janet Mills signs LD 585 into law, passing on LD 1352, legalizing in-person and online sports gambling and enabling four of the state’s tribes full profit from online sports betting inside the state
- July 31, 2022 (estimate): Legal sports gambling is available to Maine residents and visitors within the state’s borders.
