Remote horse racing betting greenlighted for Maine residents

Hollywood Races went live in Maine on Thursday afternoon with remote wagering after the Maine Gambling Control Board on Tuesday gave final approval for residents to place bets on horse racing from anywhere in the state. 

On Thursday, Penn National Gaming, which owns and operates Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway in Bangor, was given final approval to be the only licensed advance deposit wagering operator in Maine. Bets can be placed and races taking place anywhere in the world can be viewed by using a computer, tablet or smartphone. 

“We are excited to bring this form of gaming to Maine,” said Christopher McErlean, Vice President of Racing for Penn National Gaming, as reported by Bangor Daily News. “This is a tried and tested use of technology for more people to get excited about the sport of horse racing, any time of day, any day of the year, and allows Mainers to enjoy races taking places across the world from the comfort of their own home.”

Before this approval, racing fans were permitted to wager on horse racing only at a racetrack or off-track betting facility. Approval for remote betting means fans will be able to wager on races contested at tracks in Maine once harness racing is approved to begin. Any Maine resident 18 or older can go online to set up an account and, once established, may download the Hollywood Races app on their phone or tablet. Fans may then watch the action and wager on their computer, or call in a wager by phone.

Bettors who have established an online account and been authenticated can fund their accounts credit card transactions, ACH transfers or, when racing resumes at Bangor Raceway, at the track. “With more and more racing coming back around the world, this is nice timing for any racing enthusiast in Maine who has missed visiting simulcast wagering facilities, OTBs, or the tracks,” McErlean said.“Importantly, a percentage of revenues from Hollywood Races will go to the state and support the harness racing industry in Maine, similar to what is in place at Hollywood Casino.”