Maine is one of the newest online sportsbook states. It is not a competitive market now. There are only two operators in the state.
Maine sports bettors must be at least 21 years old for both retail and online betting. Geolocation software is used to ensure that the bet originates in the state. The Maine Gambling Control Unit is the regulator. Learn more in this Maine sportsbook review.
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Current Breakdown of Sportsbooks Operating in Maine
Maine sports betting launched on November 3, 2023. Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings are the only two operators. Both offer retail and online sportsbooks through partnerships with tribes in the state.
The Caesars Sportsbook partnership is with the Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, and Penobscot tribes. DraftKings is licensed with the Passamaquoddy tribe. These are mobile-only deals.
BetMGM will eventually enter the Maine sports betting market. Its partner will be with the state’s off-track betting parlors to offer the first retail sportsbooks in Maine.
Maine’s two racinos do not have sportsbooks. Penn Entertainment owns the Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway Bangor. It uses ESPN Bet as its mobile sports betting brand. It became Barstool a week after sportsbooks went live in Maine. Look for ESPN Bet to go live with a retail and mobile sportsbook there eventually.
Churchill Downs owns Oxford Casino Hotel. It is a safe bet that it will bring its in-house branded sportsbook to the property and launch a mobile app soon.
Available Sports for Wagering in Maine
Maine offers most types of sports found in other legal betting states. This includes auto racing, baseball, basketball, boxing, football, golf, hockey, mixed martial arts, the Olympics, and soccer.
NCAA college sports and professional leagues like MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, MLS, WNBA, PGA, NASCAR, and UFC are all on the board in Maine. However, in-state college teams are not available for betting.
There are no major professional sports teams in Maine. The major NFL teams are the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots. The Boston Red Sox are the main MLB team in Maine. For the NBA, it is the Boston Celtics, while the preferred NHL team is the Boston Bruins.
Types of Sports Bets in Maine
All the major types of sports bets are available in Maine. The menu is the same as it is in most other states, except for Maine colleges missing. Bettors can get action on:
- Moneyline
- Point Spread
- Totals, also known as over/under
- Straight bets
- Parlays
- Teasers
- Pleasers
- Futures
- Propositions
- Live betting
- Microbetting
A moneyline is a bet on a team to win outright. Point spreads handicap the favorite and add to the underdog’s score. Point spreads are mainly used in basketball and football. Run lines in baseball and puck lines in hockey are additional examples of point spreads. Totals are based on the number of points scored. This is called the over/under.
One bet on a ticket means a straight. Two or more teams on a ticket make a parlay. All legs of a parlay must win for the bet to cash. A teaser is like a parlay as it has two or more teams that must win. However, the player receives points to increase the chances of winning. In football, teasers are usually 6, 6.5, 7, and 14 points. In basketball, they are often 4, 4.5, and 5.
When Parlays and Teasers Push
If any leg of a parlay or teaser loses, the entire ticket is worthless. When there are pushes on a parlay or teaser, it is removed and paid accordingly if all other parts win. If a push occurs on a two-team parlay and the other part wins, it is paid as a straight bet. If half of a two-team teaser pushes and one wins, it usually pushes, but some houses grade it as a winner.
Pleasers are the opposite of teasers. Players add points to their disadvantage. These are like lottery tickets as the payouts and house advantage are massive. Pleasers are usually 6, 6.5, and 7 points. If a bettor takes a pleaser on two 3.5-point favorites, the spread becomes 9.5.
Futures are bets on which team or player wins something. Examples are an NFL team winning the NFC West, NFC Championship Game, or Super Bowl. In individual sports, it is a player who wins the Masters or Wimbledon.
Prop bets, also known as propositions, are based on a team or player’s stats. One example is the number of points a team scores in the first half. A player example is an over/under on the number of yards passing a quarterback has.
Live betting comes in several forms. Most involve betting on a game’s point spread, moneyline, or total when it is in progress. Microbetting is live betting on what the next play or drive is, such as if the next football play is a run or pass, or if the possession results in a touchdown.
Online Sportsbooks Operating in Maine
As of November 2023, there are only two online sportsbooks open in Maine. Caesars Sportsbook’s partners are the Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, and Penobscot tribes. DraftKings and the Passamaquoddy tribe are partners. Both Caesars and DraftKings Sportsbooks offer welcome bonuses.
BetMGM, Churchill Downs, and ESPN Bet are likely to enter the market in future months. BetMGM has a deal with the state’s off-track betting parlors. Churchill Downs operates the Oxford Casino Hotel. ESPN Bet will launch with Penn Entertainment through its Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway Bangor.
No retail sportsbooks are open in Maine, as of November 2023. There are five more available licenses in the state. However, it appears that none will find a buyer. The tax rate in Maine is 10 percent on retail bets and 16 percent for online ones.
Sportsbook Bonus Offers
There are two Maine online sportsbook bonuses. Caesars has a bet $50, get a $100 bonus bet. The first bet must be at least $50 to qualify. If the first bet is less, the offer is void. DraftKings has bet $5, get $200.
The Caesars Sportsbook bonus bets expire in 14 days. At DraftKings, players only have seven days to put the bonus bets in action. Caesars awards two $50 bonus bets. The DraftKings bonus bets are incremental.
Maine Online Sportsbook Deposit Options
There are several ways to deposit at a Maine online sportsbook. The most common is an EFT. This is an electronic check, sometimes referred to as a bank transfer. It may show as VIP Preferred in the sportsbook’s cashier.
Electronic wallets are another option. PayPal, Skrill, the Play+ Prepaid Debit Card, and Apple Pay are examples of this. Maine online sportsbooks accept credit and debit cards. Examples are Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. If you use a credit card, your bank may charge cash advance fees. Otherwise, there are no fees when depositing at a Maine mobile sportsbook.
Maine Online Sportsbook Withdrawal Options
The most popular withdrawal option from Maine mobile betting apps is EFT, which goes directly to your bank account. PayPal and Skrill are wallets available for withdrawal. The Play+ Prepaid Debit Card allows players to transfer funds to their bank account, to another online sportsbook, or to withdraw at an ATM. There is a small fee when withdrawing cash from an ATM using the Prepaid Debit Card. Some online sportsbooks will mail a check upon request.
Maine Gambling History
Horse racing became the first form of legalized gambling in Maine in 1935. Today, there are two horse racing tracks open in the state. Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway Bangor and Oxford Casino Hotel. Scarborough Downs was unable to get casino games and closed in 2020.
Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway Bangor and Oxford Casino Hotel have off-track betting parlors. There are eight others in Maine.
The Maine Lottery was legalized in 1973. The state’s first lotto drawing was on June 27, 1974. Instant games arrived the following year. Lottery tickets must be purchased at a retailer. There are no online sales. The Maine Lottery stopped selling lotto drawing subscriptions. The closest to online lottery games is on Fast Play terminals at participating lottery retailers.
Charitable bingo was legalized in 1975. Beano is also permitted. Bingo and beano halls are one of the few establishments exempted from the state smoking ban. Off-track betting parlors are also exempted. However, casinos are not allowed to have smoking.
Casinos at two racetracks were legalized in 2004. A local referendum is required to turn a racetrack into a racino. Approved games include slots, video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, and poker.
Daily Fantasy sports contests were permitted in 2017. In 2023, online sportsbooks became legal. Retail sportsbooks are also legal. However, none are open as of November 2023.
The minimum age for casino action and sports betting is 21. All other forms of legal Maine gambling have a minimum age of 18.
Maine Sports Betting FAQs
What are the legal requirements for Maine Sports betting?
Maine requires sports bettors to be at least 21 years old. Mobile bets must be made within the state. Geolocation is used to ensure the bet takes place within state lines.
Is it legal to wager on college sports in Maine?
College sports betting is legal in Maine, except on in-state schools.
Is it legal to bet on horse races in Maine?
Horse racing was the first form of legalized gambling in Maine. Today, it is available at racetracks, off-track betting parlors, and on mobile apps. The minimum age is 18.
Are Daily Fantasy Sports legal in Maine?
Daily fantasy sports were legalized in Maine in 2017. The minimum age is 18.
Does Maine support responsible gaming?
Some Maine gaming taxes fund responsible gambling services. If you live in Maine and need help with a gambling problem, call 1-800-662-4357.