Maine Sports Betting

Maine Legalization Timeline

May 2022

• Gov. Mills signs LD 585, officially legalizing retail and mobile sports betting in ME on May 2, 2022. Additionally, Gov. Mills was expected to sign LD 585 after her amendment proposal to give all control to state tribes was accepted.

April 2022

• Gov. Mills plans to include the state's native tribes in LD 585, giving them a foothold in the state's sports betting market. State lawmakers are not in agreement with Gov. Mills, as they are seeking to add the state's two casinos (in Oxford and Bangor) to LD 585. 
• The State Senate passed the sports betting bill 23-11 on April 19, which was the final night of their legislative session. The bill is now in the hands of Gov. Mills, who is expected to officially legalize sports betting in the Pine Tree State in 2022.
• Maine's House of Representatives finally pass sports betting bill LD 585, leaving the Senate to make the next decision. Lawmakers are getting close to the end of their legislative session for the year, so the House's approval is a big step towards ultimate legalization in the Pine Tree State.

March 2022

• Maine lawmakers narrowly advanced a bill on March 16 that would legalize retail and online sports betting under tribal control. The measure—which cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on an 8-6 vote — is part of a comprehensive package of expanded tribal rights, negotiated by Gov. Janet Mills (D). It's scheduled for full-house votes, but it likely faces a tough path ahead as lawmakers consider alternative tribal reforms and amendments. Mills is opposed to a separate larger expansion package endorsed by Maine’s four tribes — who spoke at the hearing Wednesday in support of both pieces of legislation.

July 2021

• Gov. Mills is unable to vote on SB 1352 because SB 1352 needs to go under one final review, which does not give Gov. Mills enough time to make a decision. Sports betting will not be coming to the Pine Tree State in 2021.

June 2021

• The Senate pass SB 1352, sending it to the House. If the House passes this bill, it'll land again in Gov. Mills' hands.

April 2021

• Senator Louis Luchini introduces SB 1352. This is the next attempt to legalize sports betting in the Pine Tree State since Gov. Mills vetoed LD 553 in 2020.

February 2020

• The House's vote results in LD 553 being officially vetoed by Gov. Mills. The House was the deciding factor in legalized betting in the Pine Tree State, but were ultimately unable to succeed. The next opportunity to legalize sports wagering in the state will be throughout the duration of the 2021 legislative session.
• ME's Senate votes to override Gov. Mills' veto. As the law suggests, lawmakers are allowed to override the governor's veto if they disagree with their action towards any particular bill. The House is next in line to decide if they will either override or agree with Gov. Mills' original veto.

January 2020

• ME's sports betting bill LD 553 is vetoed by Gov. Janet Mills. The bill was vetoed on Jan. 10, 2020, after Gov. Mills shared her sentiment of the state's unpreparedness for legalized sports betting.

Maine Sports Betting Grading Card

We will grade Maine on its sports betting bill and experience relative to other states as it gains traction in the state.

Maine has a shortage of professional and college teams to bet on: They currently have zero pro teams and just one D-I program in the state. Massachusetts, which is a major sports state, contains multiple pro sports teams that ME residents could bet on once online sports betting launches. 

Latest Sports News in Maine:

• Boston Bruins have ended their playoff series by losing the last game against the Florida Panthers 3-4 (Total 3-4). (5/31)
• After winning the series against the Diamondbacks, the Boston Red Sox lost the first game of the series against the Reds 8-9. (5/31)
• The Celtics have lost the Game 7 against the Miami Heat 103-84 in the Eastern Conference Finals. (5/31)

Things to Keep an Eye on:

• In the 2023 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots made 12 selections. Their first-round choice was Christian Gonzalez while in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, they selected Georgia Tech edge rusher, Keion White. (5/31)
• The Red Sox are playing their second game of the series against the Reds today at 7:10 PM. (5/31)

Pro Sports Teams

NFL Betting Maine

New England Patriots

The New England Patriots need no introduction. The most successful team of this century is one of the most successful teams in NFL history, having won six Super Bowls since 2001, 11 conference championships and 22 division titles.

While the Patriots' dynasty is over, but with Bill Belichick still in charge, expecting the downfall to be a long-term thing is likely not a smart bet. Belichick and the Patriots turned things around, however, finishing the 21-22 season with a 10-7 record before losing in the Wild Card Round to the Buffalo Bills.

Patriots Odds

A recommended resource list to help you make informed bets on football:

• How to Bet on Football Guide
• Expert NFL Picks
• Keep an eye on betting activity and bet/money distribution with our NFL Public Betting data

NBA Betting in Maine

 Boston Celtics

Like their NFL counterparts, the Boston Celtics have a history of success, but while the Patriots' winning took place entirely this century, the Celtics' stretches back to 1957, when they won their first of 17 titles. The most recent one came in 2008. The current Celtics under Ime Udoka are perennial contenders with emerging superstar Jayson Tatum flanked by the likes of Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart. While there's more star power elsewhere around the league, the Celtics should continue to contend in the Eastern Conference playoffs for the foreseeable future.

Celtics Odds

To learn more about NBA betting:

• How to Bet on Basketball Guide

 MLB Betting in Maine

Boston Red Sox

The most famous drought in sports history was snapped in 2004 when the Boston Red Sox came back from 3-0 against the rival New York Yankees in the ALCS and then swept the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. It was their first World Series title in 86 years. Boston went on to win three more titles over the next 14 years, as the Red Sox established themselves as heavyweights and one of the powerhouses of the 21st century. They've since fallen on hard times, as a deal that sent superstar Mookie Betts to the Dodgers signaled to fans that the Red Sox are in for a lengthy rebuild.

Red Sox Odds

MLB betting information:

• How to Bet on Baseball Guide

 NHL Betting in Maine

Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins have been regular contenders in the NHL for the better part of this century, but have just one Stanley Cup to show for it, a 2010-11 crown that was their first since 1972. The Bruins have won their division three times since then including a Presidents' Trophy in 2019-20, and in 2021 they have another strong contender.

Bruins Odds

For more on NHL betting resources:

• How to Bet on Hockey Guide

 MLS Betting in Maine

New England Revolution

The New England Revolution were founded in 1994 and are a longtime member of Major League Soccer. However, an MLS Cup continues to allude them. The Revs' first major trophy was the 2007 U.S. Open Cup, and they have made the MLB Cup finals five times — 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2014 — but have yet to come away with a victory.

Soccer Odds

Here is a recommended resource to help you bet on the MLS:

• How to Bet on Soccer Guide

College Sports Team

Maine Black Bears — Football | Basketball

If you're from Maine and don't have your alma mater's colors in your house, you're probably rooting for the Black Bears. This could be a tough task at times, with the Black Bears men's basketball team being one of the small and select few teams in the nation to never play in March Madness. Plus, their football team only plays in the FCS, meaning they miss out on battles with some of the better programs in the country.

Here's a list of college betting resources to help you bet on the Black Bears with confidence:

College Football

• College Football Betting Tips for Profitability
• College Football Betting Tips on Fading the Public
• Action Data/Tools: College Football Odds, Picks, & Projections

College Basketball

• How to Bet on College Basketball
• Trends to Know Before Betting Conference Tournaments
• Action Data/Tools: College Basketball Odds & Picks

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