Maine and New England Dive Underwater at Online Casinos

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From tribal gaming bills in Augusta to changing ways across New England, online casinos are gaining traction, promising big potential, new dilemmas and a dash of Maine flair.

Alright Maine (and the rest of New England), here's the catch, with more folks glued to their phones these days, playing online casinos is no longer some far-off tomorrow. It’s on our doorstep. You’ve probably noticed the chatter: Legislators casually dropping phrases like “exclusive tribal rights” or “LD 1164,” while curious neighbors click through casinos on their mobile apps. Whether it’s slots on your tablet or virtual poker at a coffee shop, it’s clear this isn’t going away. But what does it all mean for our region?

The bigger picture: U.S. and global iGaming surge

Globally, the online casino market jumped to US $72 billion in 2024 and is forecast to jump to about $153.21 billion by 2029 at a 10.44% CAGR. In the United States, legitimate iGaming generated about $72 billion in 2024 and is growing at around 8.90% annually to 2029.

Mobile's where it's at, nearly 80 % of players now play through their smartphone. No surprise, as mobile offers convenience, diversity and gimmicky features like live dealers, in‑play gambling and AI‑driven personalization.

New England's footprint

In the United States, a handful of states, including New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Rhode Island, are leading the iGaming pack. Connecticut, for starters, has already seen players bet nearly $39 billion at online casino games since it launched in 2021.

Rhode Island was the newest to join the club in March 2024. That's New England in it deep, and the states that surround it feel the burn.

What's Cooking in Maine

Sports betting foreshadows iGaming

Maine already dipped a toe in sports betting, where online went live November 3, 2023, and retail in September 2024. With $239 million wagered in the first six months, and $43.5 million in gross gaming revenue (GGR) through October, the market is gaining traction.

That revenue hasn't been forgotten, with over $4.3 million in tax revenues so far, the state is spending on general funds, gambling addiction treatment programs, veterans' services, harness racing and more.

Tribal online casinos on deck

Flash forward to June of 2025: Legislators in Maine voted LD 1164 through both houses, a bill permitting the four Wabanaki tribes to run single proprietary online casinos, each could enter into an agreement with a third-party vendor, taxed 16 %, with money filtering into social services and addiction treatment.

Now it's the ball in Governor Mills' court, again, she could sign, veto it or send it back to the appropriation committee (where historically, less than 10 % of such bills are passed into law).

In Maine, there is local excitement: Tribal officials see this as a chance to share economic growth with rural communities statewide, and especially with rural communities. Opponents call it addiction and the vibrancy of Maine's unregulated, underground gaming culture.

Local flavor: Why this matters to Mainers

Bigger jackpots and better deals

Provided it's legalized, Mainers will get to play more variety of games, seamless bonus deals and better pay tables. And sure enough, one of those naturally formatted casino bonuses comparisons will surface, especially on affiliate sites that place the best real-money casinos under one roof. Those tools will help local players track down leading sign-up bonuses, recurring promos, and loyalty rewards targeted towards Maine regs.

Jobs and tech growth

New casino facilities mean new jobs: Vendor technical support, data analysts, compliance experts, local ad campaigns, you name it. And fintech firms emerging to offer support for digital wallets and KYC (know‑your‑customer) capabilities will also deliver real value to Maine's tech industry.

Tax dollars flowing home

The 16 % iGaming revenue tax, added on top of sports betting revenue, would bring in millions into state treasuries: to support treatment programs, tribal services and social safety nets.

Maine and New England trends that count

Mobile is king

Everyone's on mobile, 80 percent of players, remember? Maine players are no exception. That means that any regulated casinos will need a killer app, easy deposits, smooth payout options and responsible-play features upfront.

Responsible gaming is critical

The more sports betting grows, the more concern there is over problem gambling. 50 percent of Connecticut's sports-betting revenue comes from just 2 percent of gamblers, a red flag. Maine's iGaming model put forward has age verification, geolocation, self-exclusion features and restrictions on advertising. But it'll take regulation and funding to make them a reality.

Tribal partnerships and economic impact

If legalized, Maine's tribes would hold the only iGaming licenses under LD 1164, a path the state already takes for sports betting. That keeps local money local, but keeps commercial operators (like DraftKings or BetMGM) from directly benefiting, except if they pair themselves with a tribe.

Pressure from a growing market

Connecticut's breathtaking $39 billion betted gives Maine reason to move with purpose. With RI on board and MA having seven sportsbooks already live, it is clear: New England is becoming a regional iGaming hub. Maine risks being left behind if LD 1164 stalls.

What's next, and what you can do

Firstly, you should stay on top of the governor's decision. LD 1164 remains on Gov. Mills' desk as of June 2025. She can sign and Maine is the 8th state where iGaming is legal. Or she can veto it. Pay attention, your vote and mail matter.

You should also watch neighboring movies. If Connecticut, Rhode Island or Massachusetts expand their iGaming offerings, Maine legislators might feel the heat, and mess with efforts to stem player exodus.

If you or anyone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.