Best Maine Online Gambling Sites 2023 – Full Guide to ME Online Gambling

Maine online gambling has been legal since August 2022, but will probably not go live until January 2024. While Governor Janet Mills signed the bill into law in May 2022, it is taking the Maine Gambling Control Unit more time than expected to set everything in order. Players can look forward to as many as four online sports gambling sites with the current regulations.

On this page, we will cover all of the latest updates and laws regarding online gambling in Maine. Furthermore, we’ll present the gambling sites available right now and the operators most likely to launch in the Pine Tree State in 2024.

Affiliate Disclosure: Techopedia may receive advertising commissions for visits to a suggested operator through our affiliate links, at no added cost to you. However, all our recommendations are unbiased and follow a thorough review process. Players must be a legal gambling age and located in a regulated US gambling state. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly.

The Latest Maine Gambling News

With the regulations changing, this is a crucial time to stay up to date with the latest Maine online gambling laws. Read more about the latest news and be the first to know when the best sites launch in Vacationland.

• May 26, 2023 – The executive director of the Main Gambling Control Unit (MGCU), Milton Champion, has been placed on leave after negative feedback regarding the gambling rollout. This may delay the launch of MA gambling sites even further.
• May 18, 2023 – Caesars signed deals with three of the four tribes in Maine, giving it access to three online gambling licenses.
• May 4, 2023 – Reports indicate that the Sports Betting Alliance will not be coming to Maine due to the issues regarding how the revenue will be shared with the local tribes. The SBA includes DraftKings, BetMGM, and FanDuel.
• May 2, 2022 – Gov. Janet Mills signs LD 585 to make online gambling legal in Maine. It will take another 90 days for the bill to become effective, as it is with all new bills in the state.

Upcoming Gambling Brands in Maine

With the current Maine online gambling laws, there will be four online sportsbooks in the state, with licenses granted to the four Native Indian tribes. Only one skin is allowed for each license, so Maine will not have as many operators as some of the other states in the nation.

It also means that the competition will likely be higher for each online gambling brand, but the revenue sharing scheme is already discouraging some major operators. Let’s see which of the best online gambling sites are most likely to come to Maine.

Caesars

Caesars is the safest bet to provide online gambling in Maine in 2024. The renowned operator already secured deals with three of the four tribes in the state, so it will probably be the first to go live. Caesars has a great gambling platform that includes a premium sportsbook in multiple states.

Barstool

The second most likely brand for ME gambling is Barstool since Penn Entertainment runs a casino in the state. It will likely open a retail sportsbook as part of the establishment and may look into an online partnership for a license. Plus, Barstool is the only operator authorized to offer real money online horse gambling in Maine.

BetRivers

BetRivers has been expanding quickly throughout states with regulated online gambling and it will likely look towards Maine as well. The operator has a solid sportsbook product and is known for its competitive odds, plus additional bonuses and promotions. If it launches in the new ME gambling market, players will have access to iRush Rewards for benefits across 11 tiers.

BetMGM

BetMGM is part of the Sports Betting Alliance, which has expressed their reluctance to join the Maine online gambling market due to revenue-sharing structure. With tribes getting 50% of the revenue and the state collecting a 10% tax, operators can only receive up to 40%. Even so, BetMGM will operate some of the 10 in-person sportsbooks and may still launch online as well.

FanDuel

FanDuel is in a similar situation to BetMGM, being part of the Sports Betting Alliance as well. However, it has a stronger brand presence as one of the top Maine online gambling sites for daily fantasy contests. It also had a very aggressive expansion strategy in other states so it remains to be seen what the SBA members decide to do, even if only some, or even just one of them can secure a license.

DraftKings

The third big member of the MGCU is DraftKings, another famous DFS operator with additional gambling options in various states. While it is already available in the state with fantasy sports, it currently looks like the full DraftKings Maine sportsbook will not be launching online.

Maine Online Gambling Summary

This is what we know about ME gambling:

Reviews of the Best Maine Gambling Sites for Sweepstakes

The best way to enjoy online gambling and iGaming in Maine is on sweepstakes and social casinos. These offer a variety of casino games that players can enjoy for free and by betting sweeps coins with real money value. Learn more about the top three sites and find the right one for you through our expert reviews.

1. Stake.us – Best Sweepstakes Gambling Site in Maine

• Payout time: 2-3 days
• Live in state since: 2022
• Land-based partner: N/A

Our Verdict (9.4/10)

Stake.us is our top pick for iGaming in Maine due to its outstanding variety of casino games. It offers more than 400 slot games that cover various themes and also include bonus features for large wins. Moreover, Stake.us has popular table games like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and video poker, plus live dealer options that run around the clock. Add in the Stake originals that include specialty games and the range is complete.

Since it is a sweepstakes casino, Stake.us is available in Maine and players can sign up without any issues. There is a welcome bonus waiting for new players that provides quite a few coins. Additional rewards are available through raffles, giveaways, slot races, and challenges. You can also buy more coins, but Stake.us only accepts major cryptocurrencies at this time, which is not ideal.

Features Overview

• Promotions & Rewards: 9/10
• Desktop Experience: 10/10
• Mobile & App Experience: 10/10
• Registration Process: 10/10
• Payment Methods: 8/10
• Casino: 9/10
• Live Casino: 9/10
• Customer Support: 10/10

Top Sign-up Offer:

Pros & Cons:

2. BetRivers – Best Library of Games for Social Play Online

• Payout time: N/A
• Live in state since: 2016
• Land-based partner: N/A

Our Verdict (9.2/10)

BetRivers.net Casino4Fun is a social gaming site where players can access more than 600 of the best casino games online in the US. However, these are only available for free-play, using Virtual Credits (VC$) that have no monetary value. You can’t redeem your VC$ winnings for real money, as is the case with the best sweepstakes casinos.

Instead, BetRivers.net stands out for the fact that it provides an almost complete online gambling experience without players needing to spend any money. In addition to the many games provided, customers also benefit from loads of bonuses and promotions. These award free Virtual Credits every day and can help keep the action going for a long time.

Features Overview

• Promotions & Rewards: 8/10
• Desktop Experience: 10/10
• Mobile & App Experience: 10/10
• Registration Process: 9/10
• Payment Methods: 9/10
• Casino: 9/10
• Live Casino: 9/10
• Customer Support: 8/10

Top Sign-Up Offer:

Pros & Cons:

3. LuckyLand – Redeem Free Coins Every Four Hours and Play for Massive Jackpots

• Payout time: 3-5 days
• Live in state since: 2018
• Land-based partner: N/A

Our Verdict (8.5/10)

LuckyLand Slots is a full-fledged sweepstakes gambling site that makes it easy to switch between free play and sweeps play. Although it has fewer games than some of our other top sweepstakes casinos, LuckyLand aims to offer something for everyone. The 100+ slots cover familiar themes and even include progressives with large jackpots of over 500 million Gold Coins.

The interface makes everything easy to access. You can choose between Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins from the top, buy more coins, and redeem your SC for prizes. The lobby is on the left and you can also add favorites for quick access. In addition to daily bonuses and promotions on social networks, LuckyLand also has a loyalty program where players can earn rewards by going up in levels.

Features Overview

• Promotions & Rewards: 8/10
• Desktop Experience: 9/10
• Mobile & App Experience: 8/10
• Registration Process: 9/10
• Payment Methods: 8/10
• Casino: 8/10
• Live Casino: N/A
• Customer Support: 7/10

Top Sign-Up Offer:

Pros & Cons:

Reviews of the Best Maine Gambling Sites for Daily Fantasy

Since online sports gambling isn’t available in Maine just yet, players in the state can look at the second-best thing, daily fantasy sports. The biggest DFS operators provide contests where you can win real money by drafting the best teams. Learn more about the top three fantasy gambling sites in Maine right here:

1. FanDuel – Best DFS Gambling Site in Maine

• Payout time: Up to 2 days
• Live in state since: 2009
• Land-based partner: N/A

Our Verdict (9.4/10)

FanDuel is a leading fantasy sports operator with a long history in the US. Although Maine legalized DFS in 2017, the online gambling option was already available in the state, with FanDuel being a top choice. This is an alternative to sports gambling where players are more involved as they can draft their team and compete against other players.

Beginners can check out the dedicated contests where experienced players are not allowed to join. There are also free games that can still award real money prizes, daily contests, weekly leagues, and high-end events for big wins. FanDuel Maine DFS offers football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and other sports with different types of events.

Features Overview

• Promotions & Rewards: 8/10
• Desktop Experience: 9/10
• Mobile Experience: 10/10
• Registration Process: 9/10
• Payment Methods: 9/10
• Daily Fantasy Contests: 10/10
• Customer Support: 9/10

Top Sign-Up Offer:

Pros & Cons:

2. DraftKings – Best Variety of DFS Contests with New Events Added Every Day

• Payout time: Up to 2 days
• Live in state since: 2012
• Land-based partner: N/A

Our Verdict (8.9/10)

DraftKings Maine is available with a complete daily fantasy product that covers all of the big leagues in North America and beyond. Not only can players find contests for NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and PGA, but the operator also covers tennis, NASCAR, F1, and even esports. You can create fantasy teams for Dota 2, Valorant, Rocket League, League of Legends, and CS:GO gambling on the site.

With more than $10 billion paid in winnings over the years, DraftKings is definitely an online gambling brand that can be trusted. There are several banking methods for depositing money for the DFS account and then withdrawing the winnings. New players will also receive a 20% bonus on the first deposit. However, the amount will be released in increments of $1 for every $25 played on the site, and not all at once.

Features Overview

• Promotions & Rewards: 8/10
• Desktop Experience: 9/10
• Mobile Experience: 9/10
• Registration Process: 8/10
• Payment Methods: 9/10
• Daily Fantasy Contests: 9/10
• Customer Support: 9/10

Top Sign-Up Offer:

Pros & Cons:

3. Yahoo! Fantasy – Secure DFS Platform with Contests on Major Sports

• Payout time: Up to 2 days
• Live in state since: 2015
• Land-based partner: N/A

Our Verdict (8.2/10)

Although Yahoo! Fantasy is not as popular as the other two Maine online gambling sites when it comes to DFS contests, it is an option worth considering. The brand is known in various other industries, including in the sports news sector, so sporting fans may already be familiar with it. Yahoo launched its DFS product in 2015 and now mostly caters to recreational players.

On the site, you will find several big leagues and sports, even if the range of contests is not as impressive as what we’ve seen from the competition. NFL, MLB, NHL, golf, and soccer contests should keep the majority of users happy, especially since some seasons come with large prize pools. Yahoo! Fantasy does a great job at providing stats and extra info for every contest.

Features Overview

• Promotions & Rewards: 7/10
• Desktop Experience: 8/10
• Mobile Experience: 9/10
• Registration Process: 8/10
• Payment Methods: 7/10
• Daily Fantasy Contests: 8/10
• Customer Support: 9/10

Top Sign-Up Offer:

Pros & Cons:

Comparing the Best Maine Gambling Sites

With the top sites for online gambling in Maine, players have a good range of options available. However, you will need to join multiple platforms in order to access all of the products. Check out the following table to see what options are available in Maine for each site.

Is Gambling Legal in Maine?

Yes, gambling is legal in Maine in multiple forms. First of all, there are two casinos in the state. These have various games, with Hollywood Casino also hosting live horse racing with the option for viewers to take part in pari-mutuel gambling. Maine gamblers can also access a single online horse racing site, operated by Penn National Gaming.

Retail sportsbooks were legalized in 2022, allowing casinos, racetracks, and OTBs to receive licenses for sports gambling. A maximum of 10 in-person sportsbooks are allowed in Maine.

Another popular form of gambling in the state is provided by the Maine Lottery, which sells tickets for a variety of draw games, including the major multi-state lotteries, like Mega Millions and Powerball.

Daily fantasy sports gambling officially became legal in Maine in 2017, with the passing of LD 1320. And with LD 585, real money online sports gambling was legalized in August 2022, although no online sportsbooks have launched yet.

Real money online casinos aren’t regulated or licensed in Maine. However, players can still access sweepstakes and social gaming sites and even redeem cash prizes while in the state.

When will gambling be made legal in Maine?

Online sports gambling is already legal in Maine, but no online sportsbooks have launched so far. Based on the best estimations, we would say that online gambling will officially launch in Maine in January 2024. This will be limited to at least one sportsbook to start, probably Caesars.

As for online casino gambling, Maine doesn’t currently have any bills to legalize iGaming soon. It will probably take a couple more years after the launch of sports sites for the state to look towards expanding its online gambling offering to include real money casino games.

Who can Gamble Online in ME?

As it is in most other states, players must be at least 21 years old to enter casinos in the Pine Tree State. This will also be the minimum Maine gambling age for online sites licensed in the market. Players will have to verify their age when signing up and when depositing funds.

For lotteries and pari-mutuel horse gambling, the minimum age is 18 years. This is also the minimum age for signing up on DFS and sweepstakes sites.

Another requirement for gambling online at Maine-licensed sites is to be physically located within the state. This applies for both desktop sites and ME gambling mobile apps, which will use a geolocation plug-in to verify the location at all times.

Types of ME Gambling Options Available

Overall, Maine offers a good mix of gambling options for its players. It recently improved online and will likely expand even further in the future. This is a rundown of the different forms of gambling available in Maine right now:

Sports Gambling Sites

Maine sports gambling sites, while legal, are not available at this time. Although the law passed in 2022, it is taking more time than usual for the regulations to be cleared out. Also, there will be only four online gambling sites in Maine, with licenses being available for the four native tribes in the state.

Horse Gambling Sites

While horse racing is big in Maine and has a long history, there is only one horse gambling site authorized by the Maine Gambling Control Unit. Hollywood Races is an online racebook operated by Penn National Gaming that offers advance deposit gambling on races from Maine and from other states.

Esports Gambling Sites

The only esports gambling options available right now are in the form of fantasy esports contests at DraftKings Maine. The site has a section for multiple esports games where players can draft their own teams and compete in contests. Additional esports options will become available once online sportsbooks go live in the state. These should offer options for CS:GO gambling, League of Legends, Dota 2, and other popular titles.

Casino Gambling Sites

Casino online gambling Maine sites are limited to sweepstakes and social platforms. While sweepstakes sites allow players to bet sweeps coins on slots and other games and then redeem the won coins for real money prizes, they don’t technically count as full online casinos. Maine doesn’t have any licensed casino gambling sites.

DFS Gambling Sites

Online gambling Maine players can take their pick from multiple DFS sites. DraftKings and FanDuel are the two biggest names in this category as they cover all of the major leagues in the nation and more. We also like Yahoo! Sports for casual contests that are oftentimes easier to win.

Poker Gambling Sites

Real money online poker is not legal in Maine and so there are no poker networks in the state at this time. The best alternative would be to play live poker at the main casino in the state, called Hollywood Casino. You can also find some casino poker games at the top sweepstakes sites.

Lottery Gambling Sites

The Maine Lottery became available in 1974 and proved to be very popular. It later launched online as well and the site allows players to take part in several major draws, including Powerball, Mega Millions, and Lotto America. The Tri-State Megabucks lottery is also very popular. Moreover, the site has instant lottery tickets.

Politics Gambling Sites

Gambling on political events in the United States is not legal and the licensed sites in Maine will not cover these markets.

How to Sign Up to a Gambling Site in Maine

Signing up is straightforward and only takes a few minutes. Let’s go through the entire process of registering and gambling online in Maine at one of the top sites.

1. Access the Site and Start Registering

You can quickly visit the preferred site from the buttons in our reviews. Once on the site, look for “Play Now” or “Sign Up” and click it to bring up the registration form.

2. Create Your Online Gambling Account

Enter the details in the form. For some types of gambling sites, you will need to provide more personal info and also verify it by uploading a photo ID.

3. Add Money to Your Account

You can deposit funds on the site, or make a purchase, through different payment methods. These will depend on the selected gambling platform but you can usually find cards and PayPal available.

4. Enter a Contest and Draft Your Team

Once you have the money in your account, you can browse the available gambling options on the site and place your bets. Make sure to check the cost before finalizing the payment.

5. Enjoy Your Winnings

If you win, the payout will be automatically added to your account. You can use it to gamble more or withdraw the funds from the account and enjoy them on something else.

Gambling Bonuses Available at Maine

Bonuses and promotions can help you win more by providing you with extra funds and other rewards. There are several types of offers available and it is important to know how each one works in order to fully take advantage of the deal. These are the main bonuses available at the best online gambling Maine sites:

• Welcome Bonuses: Offers designed to attract new customers, usually available when signing up or when making a first deposit. Welcome bonuses are generous and have high limits that can reward a major purchase.
• Deposit Match Bonuses: With a deposit match bonus, the gambling site will add a sum of bonus money based on the size of the deposit. The match can range from just 10% to over 100%, depending on the platform available.
• On-going Promotions: These are offers designed to reward customers for being active on the gambling sites. They can include reload bonuses for multiple deposits, daily rewards for logging in, and other perks.
• Bonus Bets: Some online gambling sites in Maine can award bonus bets for their customers so that they can enter contests or place wagers without using their own funds. If you win with a bonus bet, you can keep the profits.
• Loyalty Bonuses: Leading operators have reward programs in place that offer loyalty bonuses to active customers. These use points that keep track of the amount of bets placed and then offer bonuses in exchange, or of reaching a new tier.

Payment Methods Available at Maine Gambling Sites

In order to make the most of the legal online gambling Maine options available, you will have to deposit funds. You can do this through various payment methods, depending on the site. Learn more about each popular option below and choose your favorite way to make a deposit for gambling online.

• Bank Cards: The most frequently used payment method for online gambling in Maine is represented by bank cards. Most players are already familiar with debit cards or credit cards from Visa and Mastercard. They are easy to use and also available at most gambling sites for instant payments.
• E-Wallets: Options like Skrill, PayPal, and Apple Pay are becoming more popular for online gambling and more sites accept them. The downside is that players will have to create their e-Wallet accounts and then fund them through other methods. Once everything is ready, these options are great for fast transactions.
• Wire Transfer: As the go-to option for high rollers, bank wire transfers usually come with large limits. The downside is that processing can take a few days, which may also come with fees. However, most online gambling Maine sites allow for secure withdrawals by wire transfer.
• Prepaid Cards: Prepaid cards provide a great way to manage your bankroll by limiting the funds available for payments. They also allow for safe transactions that don’t require any personal details. Legal online gambling Maine operators can partner with Play+ for convenient prepaid deposits and withdrawals to cards.
• Online Banking: While similar to wire transfers, online banking services, such as Trustly, can allow for faster payments. They also add an extra layer of security since you can use the provided app at any time. Again, processing can be slow at times.
• Casino Cage Cashier: Licensed online gambling sites with local partners can give users the option to make deposits and withdrawals in cash, at land-based establishments. These are great payment options for those living in the area or players who also like to frequent the retail locations.

Who Regulates Gambling in ME?

The Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU) is in charge of regulating licensed online gambling in the state. It is also the authority responsible for setting the rules for the new gambling industry and managing it once it launches.

Some of the rules already in place restrict gambling advertising in the state. First of all, operators can’t use any celebrities for their TV ads promoting gambling sites and the MGCU has to approve every commercial before it goes live. Secondly, bonus play and promotional rewards cannot be deducted by operators, which can affect the deals that players will have access to when gambling in Maine.

The MGCU promotes responsible gambling and provides several services for preventing problem gambling. This includes a confidential helpline at 211 that is available 24/7 for information and assistance.

Tax on Gambling Winnings in Maine

The Maine income tax for gambling winnings is 7.15%, which is in addition to the 24% federal tax. While the tax used to be only 5%, the law changed in 2022 in preparation for the launch of online gambling. Now, the 7.15% tax applies on any gambling payouts that exceed $5,000 per fiscal year. The Maine Lottery will withhold the amount for qualifying prizes, and so will licensed sites.

Maine Gambling Apps & Mobile Sites

With the best Maine online gambling apps and mobile sites, you can access the favorite platforms on the go. This is available for multiple forms of gambling since top sweepstakes casinos are now mobile-friendly and some operators even offer native apps for iOS and Android. For DFS gambling, DraftKings and FanDuel have high-rated mobile apps that offer the full experience on basically any iPhone or Android mobile device.

Of course, licensed online gambling sites in Maine will meet the same requirements and have optimized sites for smartphones and tablets. More than half of all bets are now placed on mobile. You can download a mobile app for your device or simply access the preferred ME gambling site from the browser to place your bets.

Gambling Sites vs Land-Based Gambling in Maine

Online gambling will have to compete with land-based gambling options in Maine. While harder to access, the current regulations will allow for up to 10 retail sportsbooks and only four online sportsbooks, on top of the top DFS sites. Moreover, the two land-based casinos go up against the best sweepstakes gambling platforms. These are the main pros and cons of gambling online when compared to retail establishments:

How Maine Gambling Compares to its Neighboring States

Due to its location, Maine only has one directly neighboring state, New Hampshire. Here, online sports gambling has been legal since 2019, but with very limited options. DraftKings enjoys a monopoly for New Hampshire online gambling, being the only gambling app in the state. While other operators could join, it would reduce DraftKings’ 51% tax obligation to just 21%.

Massachusetts online gambling is already live and doing well. As the second-closest state to Maine, it can provide some competition in the area. This is especially true since MA can host up to 15 online sports gambling sites according to current regulations, with 10 already being approved for licenses.

Maine’s biggest neighbor is Canada, more precisely Quebec and New Brunswick. With single-game sports gambling being legal in Canada, it may only be a matter of time before both Quebec and New Brunswick introduce their own gambling regulations, thus catering to the many Mainers that visit the region every year.

Gambling Locations in ME

Players in the Pine Tree State have access to two local casinos. These offer various games, but mostly focus on slots. They are also allowed to offer retail sportsbooks thanks to the new Maine online gambling laws.

Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway

• Address: 500 Maine St., Bangor, ME 04401
• Opening hours: 9AM – Midnight, Daily

The biggest casino in Maine is Hollywood Casino in Bangor. It is operated by Penn National Gaming, which also owns Barstool. This is similar to a full Las Vegas gambling establishment, offering 700 slot machines, more than a dozen table games, and a poker room with four tables. It even hosts live horse racing and allows for pari-mutuel gambling.

Oxford Casino Hotel

• Address: 777 Casino Way, Oxford, ME 04270
• Opening hours: 24/7

While smaller, Oxford Casino, owned by Churchill Downs Inc., still provides great gambling options in Maine, with almost 1,000 slot machine games to choose from. It also added more than 20 table games, although the schedule for some may vary and it doesn’t have a poker room. Players can sign up for the Oxford Rewards Loyalty Club and earn points from bets that can be used for food and beverages.

Best Gambling Site in Maine

With an impressive assortment of casino games and the bonuses to match, Stake.us is the best Maine online gambling site at this time. The platform uses Gold Coins and Stake Cash to give players the option to play for fun and for valuable sweeps. After you bet and win Stake Cash, you can redeem cash prizes and withdraw the funds by crypto transfer.

As for the games, you can take your pick from 400+ slots, popular table games, live dealer tables, and even some exclusive options. We also recommend checking out the daily races, slot battles, and giveaways as Stake.us offers players massive prizes. Moreover, there are various challenges that you can complete by playing specific games to earn extra winnings. This mix makes it the most exciting gambling site, especially for slots players.

Our rating/verdict:	9.4/10
Accessible via:	iOS, Android, Desktop App
Casino Games	450+
Welcome Offer:	100,000 Gold Coins + $30 Stake Cash
Top Pros:	✔️ Game challenges with generous prizes. ✔️ Premium slots, tables, and live dealer games. ✔️ Multiplier Drops award 5,000 SC every week.
Cons:	❌ Doesn’t accept traditional banking options.

FAQs