Maine Advances Sweepstakes Casino Ban To Governor's Desk
Maine lawmakers have actually passed a bill that forbids online sweepstakes gambling establishments and sites that mimic casino betting through promotional techniques. LD 2007 passed on Thursday and now waits for Gov. Janet Mills' signature.
- Maine has actually passed Senate Bill 2007 to categorize online sweepstakes casinos as unlawful betting.
- The law presents civil fines up to $100,000 and enables prosecution for operators.
- The measure passed your house on March 26 with a vote of 87-55.
The bill, presented by Sen. Craig Hickman, plainly specifies online sweepstakes casino betting. The measure targets sites that offer gambling establishment games, such as slots, poker, and sports wagering, using 2 forms of currency. One is virtual coins players purchase, and the other is promotion credits they can redeem for rewards.
Lawmakers stated the costs gets rid of obscurity that operators have actually used to argue compliance with betting laws. The legislation develops a specialized statutory plan, which makes the operation and promo of such websites unlawful.
for infraction are serious. Civil fines can vary from $10,000 to $100,000 per offense, with fines being used to money Maine's Gambling Addiction Prevention and Treatment Fund. The costs likewise changes criminal laws to permit business and people included in sweepstakes to be prosecuted.
The law consists of strict repercussions for licensed betting entities. Any operator discovered supporting sweepstakes platforms faces obligatory license revocation and prospective exemption from future approvals.
The bill, presented to the Senate Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee in December, passed the Senate on March 12 before transferring to your house, where it passed 87-55 on Thursday.
Maine joins a growing list of states that have sought to regulate the industry, with comparable costs pending in the legislatures of Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Maryland. Earlier this month, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed HB 1052 into law, which would ban sweepstake-style casino platforms.
Maine's iGaming market falls under tribal control
The crackdown comes as Maine continues to establish a managed online gaming structure led by tribal operators. The Wabanaki Nations now hold unique rights to internet video gaming under current legislation supported by Gov. Mills that was checked in January.
She enabled the bill to become law regardless of earlier issues, following consultations with tribal leaders. Chiefs from the Mi'kmaq Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Penobscot Nation, and the Passamaquoddy Tribes highlighted the financial benefits of regulated iGaming.
Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis described the legislation as a step towards economic self-governance. Mi'kmaq Chief Sheila McCormack stated it would provide sustainable income for important services. Houlton Band Chief Clarissa Sabattis pointed to stronger consumer protections compared to uncontrolled markets.
The framework builds on earlier reforms, consisting of the 2022 growth allowing tribal control of sports wagering. It likewise reflects the long-standing legal intricacies of the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act, which assigns tribal authority a lessened function compared to federal standards.
Gov. Mills has actually continued the incremental technique to tribal sovereignty, supporting targeted reforms while opposing broader legislative changes. The problem remains salient in advance of Maine's upcoming gubernatorial election, in which a number of candidates have actually vowed support for tribal authority.