Milton Champion, the executive director of Maine’s Gambling Control Unit, has shared an optimistic projection for the launch of sports betting in the state. In the best-case scenario, sports betting could make its debut in Maine by Thanksgiving, which falls in late November. This development comes as the state has unveiled an updated version of its draft sports betting regulations.
Revised Rules and Public Feedback
The draft rules were revisited following an initial release in January that garnered nearly 600 public comments. Pending any further adjustments based on feedback, the updated rules will be submitted to Maine’s attorney general for approval. The attorney general’s office has up to 120 days to endorse these revised rules.
Champion conveyed his perspective on the progress, stating, “I think we have a good product at this point. I just don’t see any rhyme or reason to prolong this anymore. But we’ll see how the comments come out. Best-case scenario, mid-November, we could go live. We could be live by Thanksgiving. Even if the attorney general took the full 120 days, that still (enables) me to go live before Thanksgiving. What a great present that would be.”
The Path to Legal Sports Betting in Maine
Maine’s sports betting journey began in May 2022 when Governor Janet Mills signed legislation to legalize sports betting in the state. The law granted tribes exclusive rights to conduct online wagering. This move is expected to contribute significantly to Maine’s revenue, with sports betting forecasted to generate between $3.8 million and $6.9 million. In contrast, casinos and other forms of legal gambling in the state generated a total of $64 million in 2022.
The imminent launch of sports betting in Maine, with Thanksgiving as the target, holds the promise of adding an exciting dimension to the state’s gaming and entertainment landscape. Players and enthusiasts can anticipate a thrilling addition to their holiday season as they embrace the new betting opportunities.