Legislation
US – Maine Governor says not yet to sports betting
By Phil - 13 January 2020
Maine Governor Janet Mills moved to veto a bill that would have allowed the Green Mountain State to become the third in New England to offer sports betting.
Governor Mills said she respected the many hours of work members of the Legislature put into the bill but continued, “respectfully, I remain unconvinced at this time that the majority of Maine people are ready to legalise, support, endorse and promote betting on competitive athletic event.”
“Before Maine joins the frenzy of states hungry to attract this market, I believe we need to examine the issue more clearly; better understand the evolving experiences of other states; and thoughtfully determine the best approach for Maine,” Governor Mills added. “That approach needs to balance the desire to suppress gambling activities now being conducted illegally and the need to protect youthful gamblers and those least able to absorb losses under a closely regulated scheme.”
The proposal, sponsored by Senator Louis Luchini, D-Ellsworth, was approved by the Maine State Legislature last June. It would have allowed Maine’s tribal casino operators, racetracks and off-track betting parlors to offer sports betting.
Governor Mills added: “We are also told that Maine needs to legalise sports gambling in order to preserve its existing market share in the betting industry. That premise is still speculative, and, in any event, merits a longer-term analysis given the constantly changing dynamics of gambling in New England.”
