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The Maine Legislature has passed a bill that would prohibit the use of credit cards for sports betting and online casino gaming. Following a Senate vote on March 25, LD 2080 advanced to Gov. Janet Mills’ desk for final consideration.
The bill, if signed, would bar licensed operators and management services companies from accepting bets made with credit cards. It would also require state gaming regulators to configure all betting systems — including mobile apps, websites, and physical kiosks — to reject credit card transactions before they are processed.
Origins of Maine’s online gambling credit card ban
Rep. Marc Malon, D-Biddeford, introduced the original version of LD 2080 in January. At that time, the bill covered only sports betting and was titled “An Act to Protect Consumers by Prohibiting the Use of Credit Cards in Sports Wagering.” The primary goal was to prevent bettors from funding gambling accounts with borrowed money.
The scope expanded earlier this month. A committee amendment added internet gaming to the bill, a significant move given that Maine recently approved an iGaming market that has yet to launch. The title was updated to reflect the broader reach, and the amended version is what the Legislature ultimately passed.
Malon noted during the bill’s introduction that while legal gambling brings jobs and tax revenue to the state, lawmakers must be proactive. With sports betting already active and online casinos on the horizon, he argued that “guardrails” are a responsible necessity.
Many other states ban credit card betting
Maine is not charting new territory. Tennessee, Iowa, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Illinois have all passed similar restrictions. The pattern across these states has remained consistent: lawmakers act on concerns regarding the intersection of easy credit and gambling losses, and operators eventually adjust. To date, no state has reversed such a restriction.
The industry is already shifting. The two largest names in US sports betting have moved away from credit cards, independent of Maine’s decision:
- DraftKings: Stopped accepting credit card deposits for its sportsbook and casino products in August 2025. This followed a $450,000 fine from Massachusetts regulators for failing to block prohibited transactions.
- FanDuel: Followed suit on March 2, cutting off credit card deposits across its sportsbook, casino, and horse racing offerings nationwide.
LD 2007: Maine’s sweepstakes casino ban
LD 2080 is not the only gambling measure active in Augusta. Earlier this month, the Maine Senate passed LD 2007, a separate bill aimed at banning sweepstakes casinos.
These platforms use a dual-currency format that allows users to play casino-style games without technically wagering real money. Critics argue the distinction is purely cosmetic and the potential for consumer harm is identical to traditional gambling.
Next steps for Maine’s betting laws
Gov. Mills has not publicly indicated whether she will sign LD 2080. If she signs the bill, Maine will join the growing list of states that have determined the risks of credit-funded gambling outweigh the convenience for bettors. If she vetoes or declines to sign, the issue will likely return to the Legislature in the next session.
