Maine is now a sports betting state! However, for those who are more interested in Maine online casinos, the best options remain the social and sweepstakes casinos in the state.
All is not lost, though, as successful online sports betting may lead to Maine lawmakers looking closer at online casinos. Whatever the case, we have all the latest information about online gambling in Maine below.
Best Maine online casinos December 2023
Latest Updates
Nov. 3, 2023
Sports betting is now underway in Maine. Any players in the state over the age of 21 are now able to place their bets with Caesars Palace and DraftKings.
The two sportsbook operators are present on behalf of the four federally-recognized Native American tribes in the state. The Maliseet, Micmac, and Penobscot tribes are partnered with Caesars, while the Passamaquoddy chose to link with DraftKings.
The debut marks the completion of a multi-year process that involved tremendous legislative wrangling and deal-making. Pine Tree State residents now have multiple options at their fingertips.
Maine News
Related resources
Below you’ll find a list of resources that can help you learn more about the future of online casinos and online gambling in Maine.
What gambling is legal in Maine?
Legalized gambling in Maine remains fairly spare. However, things are moving in the right direction. Sports betting, both online and live, is legal in Maine in November 2023.
However, Mainers have had decades to enjoy pari-mutuel betting, which was given the green light in 1935, and the Maine State Lottery, which was legalized in 1973.
It wasn’t until 2004 that the first legal slot machines cropped up in the Pine Tree State. After getting in on the action shortly thereafter, Hollywood Casino (then Hollywood Slots) relocated in 2008, and four years later, after adding table games, it became Maine’s first official and full-fledged casino. That same year, Oxford Casino opened its doors and remains Maine’s most recent — and only other — brick-and-mortar.
In 2017, Maine became the 15th state to legalize paid-entry daily fantasy sports, opening the door for DFS powers DraftKings and FanDuel to capture a new market.
The bill declares DFS a game of skill and exempt from state gaming laws, and the industry is overseen by the Gambling Control Unit. The game is available to players who are at least 18 years old.
In addition, Maine is home to a handful of bingo halls and racetracks that support horse racing and off-track wagering.
Maine Online Gambling Directory
Maine Online Casinos
Maine residents can play at sweepstakes online casinos for real cash prizes, or they can choose to play at social casinos for what are essentially “play” money chips.
- Chumba Casino — Sweepstakes for real cash prizes
- Luckyland Slots — Sweepstakes casino
- Big Fish Casino — Social casino
- DoubleDown — Social casino
- GSN Casino — Social casino
- Slotomania — Social casino
Maine Online Sports Betting
Online sportsbook betting became a reality for Mainers in November 2023. There are now two sportsbooks doing business in Maine. They are:
Maine Online Poker Sites
Needing an online poker fix? Take part in a sweepstakes game for real cash prizes or take part in social sites for play money chips.
- Global Poker — Sweepstakes for real cash prizes
- Zynga Poker — Social poker
- WSOP Poker — Social poker
- Pokerist — Social poker
Maine Online Lottery
Unfortunately, the Maine State Lottery does not offer internet-based games.
Much of this stems from confusion as to whether the Wire Act prohibits online gaming or if it pertains only to sports betting.
As the lottery has stated on its site, though, state lotteries are prepared to expand their games to the internet in accordance with federal law and an exception that allows for mobile bets made within state lines of a state that has so authorized internet gambling.
Maine Fantasy Sports Sites
Daily fantasy sports sites allow players to compete in skill-based contests for real money. Simply lay wagers down on select players for a shot at major winnings.
Some of the biggest fantasy sports sites offer year-round action on an array of sports with a number of contests available within each sport. These operators stand out among the rest:
Maine Online Horse Betting
Betting on horses online stands as a popular option for Maine residents to put skin in the game. While other gambling platforms remain limited, online horse betting offers several options for state residents.
Some online horse racing sites where you can place wagers include:
- TVG
- BetAmerica
- TwinSpires
Retail casino environment
Gambling in Maine has only been operational since 2005, when Hollywood Casino — then Hollywood Slots — opened in Bangor.
Seven years later, Oxford Casino joined the mix.
While they remain the only two brick-and-mortar casinos in Maine, Hollywood and Oxford have expanded their offerings to include slots and table games — the typical essentials of any casino.
| Property | Location |
|---|---|
| Hollywood Casino | Bangor |
| Oxford Casino | Oxford |
Land-based racetracks and off-track betting
In addition to the brick-and-mortar casinos, Maine boasts two racetracks and six off-track betting locations.
The two tracks are Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway in Bangor and Scarborough Downs. As for the OTB parlors:
| Property | Location | Type | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor Raceway | Bangor | Racetrack/OTB | 207-561-60681 |
| Favorites | Waterville | OTB | 207-861-4343 |
| Sanford | Sanford | OTB | 207-490-0030 |
| Scarborough Downs | Scarborough | Racetrack/OTB | 207-883-4331 |
| Winners Circle | Lewiston | OTB | 207-783-4910 |
| Winners | Brunswick | OTB | 207-725-8801 |
FAQs
You can play slots online at sweepstakes casinos. Sweepstakes Casinos off slots and other games that you would find at an online casino. You also can win real cash prizes and is free to play.
With online sports betting now legalized in Maine, online casinos could soon be next. The door has been opened for online gambling and in other states we’ve seen online casinos legalize within a few years of online sports betting.
No. Geolocation technology only allows for New Jersey online casinos to be played within New Jersey state lines. Summed up: Either play in New Jersey or not at all.
Probably not a good idea. These platforms are not legal in or licensed by the state of Maine. This creates uncertainty surrounding these games’ integrity, among other things.
