Legislation

US – Maine Senate overturns Governor’s veto on sports betting

By Phil - 10 February 2020

Maine’s state Senate has voted 20-10 to overturn Governor Janet Mills’ earlier veto of a bill to legalise sports betting, bringing in-person and online sports betting one step closer to the Pine Tree state in the north east.

The House will now have to vote similarly with a two-thirds majority needed for the bill to become law allowing casino operators, off-track betting parlors, harness racing tracks and Native American tribes in Maine to offer sports betting.

Senator Louis Luchini, sponsor of the legislation, said: “I’m pleased the Senate voted to override the veto of sports betting. This allows us to set up a safe, regulated system for Maine’s sports bettors while raising revenues for the state. I think a lot of people realise that the illegal market is so huge, and we’ve seen a lot of states quickly come on board to legalize sports betting, that if we don’t do it other states will get our players to go to their state and gamble.”
The rationale for these bills is largely because the illegal market in the U.S. is massive, as most of us know,” Mr. Luchini added. “Anytime you bet through a bookie or an illegal online website, you run the risk that you don’t get paid because they just don’t have anybody to account to.”

Mobile sports betting will be taxed at 16 per cent compared to 10 per cent for those operating from physical locations in Maine. The bill also would require mobile companies to obtain the same licenses as casinos and help fund problem gambling prevention.

Senator Scott Cyrway, a member of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee that worked on the bill, believes letting online betting companies into the market in Maine is unfair to existing casino operators who have invested in the state.

“Mobile sports wagering will eventually come to Maine, we have no doubt to that, and the rest of the country. But the legalisation before us is bad for Maine. It is the wild, wild west of sports betting. Under this legislation, no investment in Maine is required. There is no limit on licenses and there is no requirement that the mobile licenses be tied to an existing facility. Where there is brick and mortar there is investment,” he added explaining that Maine’s two casinos have invested more than $1bn in the state and collectively employ over 1,000 workers.