Maine's legal sports betting market goes live with Caesars and DraftKings offering mobile wagers

Maine's legal sports betting market has officially gone live, with two major operators, Caesars and DraftKings, already providing their services to consumers in the state. Milt Champion, the executive director of the Maine Gambling Control Unit (GCU), revealed the launch plans just days before the market's opening, which took place Friday.

DraftKings, which went live on the launch day, confirmed it would be offering its services in the Pine Tree State only days before the debut. In a strategic move, the company partnered with the Passamaquoddy tribe to introduce its online platform.

“We couldn’t have landed a better organization in the mobile sports wagering arena, and we look forward to continued progress and investment for future growth in the state of Maine," Passamaquoddy Chief William Nicholas said in a release.

Another major player, Caesars, has also now launched its sports betting offering in Maine. This launch comes in collaboration with three of the Wabanaki Nations, comprising the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Mi’kmaq Nation, and Penobscot Nation.

“Maine sports fans deserve an elevated sports wagering experience that matches the pedigree of sports fandom in New England,” Caesars Digital president Eric Hession said. “The launch of Caesars Sportsbook delivers on that pedigree.

Maine, we're live and accepting mobile wagers in your great Pine Tree State!

You can earn @CaesarsRewards perks with every wager – including dining, hotel stays, & event tickets at over 50+ Caesars Rewards destinations!

Download: https://t.co/7A3It8opAR pic.twitter.com/t9U8vVul06

— Caesars Sportsbook & Casino (@CaesarsSports) November 3, 2023

"We have a platform built for the modern sports fan, 21 and older, with exciting ways to wager responsibly on the sports they love. We'd like to thank Governor Janet Mills and the Maine legislature for making this launch possible, as well as the Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU) for all they have done throughout this process."

Genius Sports, a major player in the sports data and technology sector, has also secured a temporary gaming license from the MGCU. The company, which is the exclusive distributor of NFL official league data, now holds 43 licenses in various regions across North America and Canada.

"We are honored that the MGCU has awarded Genius Sports its temporary gaming license to enable sportsbooks to access our full suite of solutions, including our groundbreaking BetVision streaming tool," commented Genius CEO Mark Locke.

Genius CEO Mark Locke

The launch of Maine's sports betting market comes almost 18 months after the state legalized sports wagering. Last spring, Governor Janet Mills signed a bill allowing both retail and online sports betting, with the specific condition that internet sports betting would be solely operated by approved tribes within the state.

In the state of Maine, tribes have the opportunity to apply for licenses to operate online betting platforms and form partnerships with one online operator each. Simultaneously, combined racetracks and off-track betting facilities can seek land-based licenses to offer retail wagering.

Maine residents and sports fans have awaited the opportunity to legally place sports bets since the spring of 2022 when the sports betting bill was signed into law. They can now download the sports betting apps, register accounts, and make deposits.

To bet legally in Maine, individuals must be at least 21 years old and physically present within the state. There will also be no betting on any games featuring a Maine college. Collegiate and professional athletes, coaches, and officials are barred from betting on certain games.

Maine legislature

While the process took longer than some had hoped, it aligns with the NFL season and the commencement of the NBA and NHL seasons. Moreover, it anticipates major events like the Super Bowl and the Men's March Madness college basketball tournament.

Once registered with operators like DraftKings and Caesars, users will have various betting options, including "straight" bets, "moneyline" bets, player and game props, and parlays. Caesars and DraftKings are expected to offer promotional deals to attract Mainers to their betting platforms.