A new bill in Maine, “An Act to Create Economic Opportunity for Wabanaki Nations Through Internet Gaming,” would give online casino exclusivity to tribes. The four federally recognized tribes in the state already have the exclusive rights to operate mobile sportsbooks; this arrangement would not change under the new proposal. Sports betting became legal last year, but the sector has yet to launch.
would have to offer both mobile sports betting and online casino gaming statewide
If LD1777 is ultimately passed, it would be the first exclusive online gambling arrangement of its kind between a US state and tribes. License holders would have to offer both mobile sports betting and online casino gaming statewide, limiting the companies with which they could partner. Only certain operators, such as FanDuel and DraftKings, offer both types of gambling products.
The Wabanaki Nations in Maine are not a part of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which means that they don’t have a right to offer Class III gaming on their land. This naturally limits the revenue they can earn from gaming. They do have bingo halls, but the legalization of online casino gaming and the launch of sports betting should be good revenue sources.