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Earlier this year, Maine legalized online casinos.
While we don’t know just when legal iGaming will be offered in the state, we now know that Caesars branded platforms will be a big part of it.
This week, Caesars announced that it will be among the available Maine online casinos thanks to its partnerships with the Wabanaki Nation tribes, which have been granted exclusive rights to offer iGaming in the state.
That means that Caesars Palace Casino, Horseshoe Casino, and Caesars Sportsbook & Casino will all be part of Maine’s online casino market.
Caesars Extends Partnership with Three Tribes
Back in early January, Maine Gov. Janet Mills allowed an online casino legalization bill to pass without veto, making Maine the eighth state to legalize iGaming.
The bill gave the rights to provide online casino gaming exclusively to the four Wabanaki tribes – Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, Passamaquoddy Tribe.
Caesars extended its existing partnership with the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Mi’kmaq Nation, and the Penobscot Nation this week to assure online casino operation when Maine waves the green flag.
“As we look ahead to the launch of online casino gaming in Maine, we’re proud to expand our partnership with the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Mi’kmaq Nation and the Penobscot Nation,” said Eric Hession, President of Caesars Digital in a press release.
“Together, we’ve built a strong and responsible sports wagering experience, and this next phase reinforces our commitment to our tribal partners and to delivering a differentiated, localized digital gaming experience for Mainers. We’re grateful to Gov. Janet Mills, the Maine Legislature and the Maine Gambling Control Unit for their continued leadership and thoughtful approach to gaming in the state.”
Caesars to Hold 75% of Maine Licenses
With this announced partnership extension, Caesars will now have three of the four available Maine online casino licenses.
It will be able to offer all three of its iGaming platforms in Maine:
- Caesars Palace Online Casino Maine
- Horseshoe Casino Maine
- Caesars Sportsbook & Casino Maine
That’s a big place of power for Caesars in the next iGaming state.
Caesars has continued to build on its three online casino brands beyond the United States as well, with a planned launch for all three to be among the Alberta online casinos come July 13.
Who Will Get the Fourth Maine License?
One license remains to be claimed in Maine, coming through the Passamaquoddy Tribe.
Currently, that tribe uses DraftKings for its online sportsbook operation. It would easy to make the connection that DraftKings Casino could eventually secure that license.
Reports indicate that DraftKings has been working behind the scenes to help keep Maine iGaming a thing.
A report from the Boston Globe indicates that DraftKings had secured contracts with political firms in Maine that specialize in signature collecting. This was done to prevent the National Association Against iGaming from being able to collect signatures in hopes of overturning the iGaming law by forcing a referendum.
These efforts would certainly point toward DraftKings having financial interest in Maine progressing with its online casino market.
Lawsuit to Ban iGaming Still Pending
Shortly after the legislation passed, the Oxford Casino Hotel, one of the state’s two commercial casinos, filed a lawsuit looking to block its legalization.
The law prevents Maine’s commercial casinos from being able to provide legalized iGaming, so they are arguing this law would cost them millions each year.
Oxford Casino accuses the state of violating the Equal Protection Clause which prohibits discrimination.
The Wabanaki Tribes were granted the ability to provide online gambling due to the fact that the state had prevented them to get into the commercial gambling industry in the past.
The tribes have had exclusive rights to offer online sports betting in Maine since 2023.
This lawsuit is still pending and its result will clearly determine when, and if, Maine online casinos ever get off the ground.