Betting in Maine
Maine Casinos
There are two racetrack casinos for betting in Maine: Oxford Casino and Hollywood Casino Bangor.
Both casinos in Maine have live table games including craps, blackjack and three-card poker. There is also roulette as well as electronic games like video poker, slot machines, and video keno. Mini-baccarat, Spanish 21, Big 6 wheel, let it ride, Mississippi stud, ultimate Texas Hold ’em, and poker are additional games that some Maine casinos offer. They also provide harness racing pari-mutuel betting. For pari-mutuel betting and casino gambling, the minimum age to gamble is 21 and 18, respectively. If you prefer to play online casino, we can recommend you Casinos Jungle. They review the best casino sites in the US and the best casino games.
Slot Machine Payback Percentages in Maine Casinos
All electronic gaming machines must provide a minimum return of 89 percent in accordance with state gambling legislation in Maine. The payback percentages for electronic gambling devices are public information in Maine.
Considering visiting the casinos in Maine?
Call Maine’s Office of Tourism at (888) 624-6345. Or visit their website at www.visitmaine.com for additional details about visiting casinos there or for general travel information.
Sports Betting in Maine
The industry has expressed a strong interest in the rollout. However, the new sports betting market in Maine may not attract the attention of well-known corporations due to its structure.
This April, the Legislature passed a law granting the Wabanaki tribes access to mobile sports betting. A the same time as reserving the much smaller in-person market for casinos and off-track betting offices. Before the market launches, it might take another two years.
But many industry participants have lined up to pay attention to the key regulation process. They have already started talking to at least one tribe about a relationship. The top names in sports betting thus far do not appear to share that desire.
That is due in part to Maine’s small size and the revenue arrangement created to support the tribes. However, it might provide smaller businesses with a chance to establish a footing. There should be plenty of time for things to work out as the state works out its regulations.
According to Milton Champion, the unit’s executive director, up to 12 organizations have contacted the Maine Gambling Control Unit to provide details about their services.
The NFL, Oxford Casino, sports data trackers, payment companies, and geolocators are among those parties. However, it excludes FanDuel and DraftKings, who control the exclusive market for sports betting in New Hampshire. These are the top two businesses in the country.
Champion stated that there was definitely some interest. However, Maine isn’t a $6 million state and it’s unlikely it will produce serious numbers.
The four mobile betting licenses for tribes, as well as the licenses for in-person wagering in casinos and off-track betting facilities, are all under the control of Champion. Before the rules are published and the public commenting period starts, those organizations cannot affect that process. Now that his organization is looking to add more staff, Champion stated that the initial rules should be published in the late fall.
John Pappas, state advocacy director for the gaming policy organization iDEA Growth, suggested that the reason for this might not only be the size of the state.
Maine only permits operators to keep 30 to 40% of the money made from wagers, which is unlikely to draw larger organizations.
There may be fewer licenses available here, which could serve as a disincentive, he added.
During the legislative session, the sports betting law debate garnered a lot of attention. Gov. Janet Mills, who has opposed the Wabanaki tribes and their supporters’ desire for more sovereignty, designed it as a compromise bill.
Tribal leaders supported the legislation even though it was not the bill they preferred. They knew, however, it would open the door to operating a casino operation and the economic prospects it may bring.
However, it infuriated advocates of gambling because it invalidated a previous bill approved by both chambers the year before. With that one, permits for mobile betting would have been automatically granted to casinos and off-track betting companies. The current legislation only permits anyone to place bets in person there.
It may take some time before the entire list of interested parties is made available. About a dozen vendors of all sizes, according to Chief Maggie Dana of Sipayik’s Passamaquoddy Tribe have approached her regarding the rules. However, she stated that as they begin to have more in-depth discussions, they will sign non-disclosure agreements.