Maine Sports Betting Sites

Maine online sports betting went live in November 2023. Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook raked in $1 million worth of wagers within the first day of legal sports betting — evidencing the Pine Tree State's desire to bet.

In this guide, you'll find information on how to bet on top sports betting sites in Maine.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Maine?

Maine sports betting came to fruition in late 2023, with Caesars and DraftKings the first operators to hit the state. Despite infamously lacking a professional sports team, Maine bettors flocked to both sportsbooks in vast numbers — racking up millions of dollars worth of wagers during the first day, week, and month.

It's all thanks to Bill LD 585, signed by Gov. Janet Mills in the summer of 2022. This legislation outlines how and where legal sports betting can take place; most importantly, the bill constitutes that new online sportsbooks must align with already established tribal casinos. With four tribal casinos in Maine, that leaves room for four online sportsbooks.

Half of those spots are already taken, and although murmurings spread of BetMGM joining the fold, a deal is not yet forthcoming. Fanatics Sportsbook is another operator at the heart of Maine's rumor mill, but nothing is set in stone.

One major positive is the state's easygoing attitude towards sports betting. Apart from prohibiting wagers on Maine collegiate sports teams, very few restrictions apply.

Maine Sports Betting Timeline

• 2019 — Maine's first sports betting bill, LD 553, passes on the final day of the state's Legislature. Keen bettors must wait until the following year's legislative session to find out whether LD 553 is signed into law.
• 2020 — After months of waiting, Gov. Janet Mills kills Bill LD 553 by enacting her right to veto the motion. Attempts from Maine's Legislature to reverse her veto through a vote failed in the House of Representatives, much to the frustration of the Senate.
• 2021 — Bill LD 1352 is introduced by the Maine Legislature. This motion seeks to bring legal sports betting to the fore once again, and passes through the Senate and the House. A tethering agreement is added to the bill during the process, forcing new sportsbooks to partner with existing Maine casinos or other gambling entities. However, like LD 553, all of this took place towards the end of the year's legislative session. Legislators wouldn't convene on this topic again until 2022.
• 2022 — At the helm of 2022's legislative session, LD 1352 appears dead. Gov. Mills is reportedly working on a sports betting bill of her own, LD 585. The Governor's idea to hand exclusive mobile sports betting rights to tribal casinos is lauded by legislators and the bill passes by a vote of 23-11.
• Gov. Mills signs LD 585 into law within a month of the bill succeeding through the House and Senate. By the end of July 2022, Maine is officially a legal sports betting state. Now, lawmakers must design the Pine Tree State's sports betting rules.
• 2023 — The Maine Gambling Control Unit puts forward its proposal for Maine sports betting laws in early 2023. But, despite the state's eagerness to get started, by the second quarter of the year it becomes clear that very few sportsbooks want to open in the state.
• But October 2023 marked a turning point in Maine history; DraftKings and Caesars would join the state as the first announced sportsbooks. November 3rd is revealed as the launch date for online sports wagering.
• At 9:00 a.m. on November 3rd, 2023, Caesars and DraftKings take online sports wagers in Maine for the first time.
• 2024 — All indications point towards a flourishing online sportsbook industry as 2024 roars into action. The Maine Gambling Control Unit reports that DraftKings and Caesars achieved almost $100 million in wagers by the previous year's end.

Best Sports Betting Sites in Maine

Maine's sports betting industry is dominated by two top sportsbooks; DraftKings and Caesars. Both platforms launched on November 3rd, 2023, delighting bettors who had patiently waited to wager for several years.

But just why are these sportsbooks so popular? Let's take a look.

Caesars Sportsbook

Launched on November 3, 2023, in partnership with three Wabanaki Nations: the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Mi’kmaq Nation, and the Penobscot Nation, Caesars' commitment to Maine sports betting is inarguable. Not only does the world-renowned operator deliver riveting promotions and competitive odds, but it also gives back to the community, too. Upon arriving in Maine, Caesars made a sizeable donation to the Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund — a cause directly assisting many residents in the state.

2024 represents Caesars Sportsbook's first year in Maine, and it's been an unquestionable success. Pitching 24 sports, 5+ promotions simultaneously, live betting, customizable bets, and cash out, the website consistently pushes the boundaries as to what's expected from a top-tier provider.

The desktop platform goes hand-in-hand with Caesars' smartphone app. Maine bettors can get the app from the Google or Apple App stores for free — with your account credentials shared between PC and mobile devices. This means you can bet on your desktop and catch up on your wagers via the app as you go about your day.

Newly registered Maine bettors can grab Caesars promo of $1000 in bonus bets by using the code CZR1000 upon signing up. Just deposit $10+, wager up to $1,000 within 30 days, and Caesars will protect your bet up to $1,000 if it loses.

DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings Sportsbook arrived in the US sports betting market in the aftermath of PASPA's — the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act — demise. In November 2023, five years on from the Supreme Court's ruling on PASPA, the gambling operator entered Maine. A deal with the Passamaquoddy Tribe opened the door for DraftKings' Maine venture and bettors have since been treated to swathes of betting opportunities.

In January 2024, following an analysis of Maine's total handle share, Draftkings went on record as proclaiming itself "New England's #1 sportsbook". Reports pointed to the sportsbook beating Caesars in terms of wagers taken.

DraftKings' Maine branch supports 22 sports and a smattering of special betting options, like the Academy Awards. Big hitters like the NFL, NBA, and MLB join the website's extensive catalog of markets, along with niche choices, such as cycling, table tennis, and Aussie rules. An auspicious $5 minimum deposit beats the doubly expensive cap at Caesars.

And it costs just $5 to jump on Draftking bonus. $200 in bonus bets is open to anyone who spends $5 on any of the site's markets — a deal yet to be beaten by its sole competitor in Maine.

Best Sportsbook Promos in Maine

Upon weighing up all the sportsbook bonuses in Maine, there's one clear winner: DraftKings' $200 bonus. It's a deal that almost seems too good to be true, which is usually a red flag. That's not the case here.

New registrants are eligible for $200 in bonus bets for staking just $5 on any of the operator's sports. You're free to bet more than the required $5, but the $200 reward remains the same no matter the size of the qualifying punt.

Split into 8x $25 bonus bets and credited immediately after placing a qualifying wager, this offer comes with a lifespan of one week. Unused funds are made void after 7 days elapse — so be sure to play through all eight bonus bets before time runs out.

Maine may not be home to a professional sports team, but that doesn't take away from residents' fanfare when it comes to nearby elite franchises. The New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, and the Boston Bruins have amassed a sizeable following in the Pine Tree State — and you can use your bonus bets on games involving these outfits. Global leagues, like England's Premier League, are also backed by DraftKings' new customer promotion.

Requirements to Play at Maine Sports Betting Sites

• Minimum Betting Age — Only bettors aged 21+ can sign up and bet on DraftKings and Caesars in Maine.
• Verification — New players may be asked to provide documents — like a bank statement, driver's license, passport, or utility bill — to verify an account. The last four digits of your social security number are also required upon signing up.
• State Boundaries — Whilst Maine's betting legislation permits wagers from visiting players who live in other territories, the law directs that all customers must be located within the state's borders while betting.
• Betting Tax — Online betting winnings in Maine are subject to a 7.15% tax rate. Gambling operators— such as Caesars and DraftKings — must adhere to a 10% tax rate for all betting revenue.
• Betting on Maine Sports Teams — Legislators explicitly prohibit bettors from wagering on Maine's collegiate-level sports teams, regardless of whether the event takes place inside or outside of the state's borders.

Popular Sports & Leagues to Bet on in Maine

Maine is known for many things; beer, lighthouses, scenery, and food. If there's one aspect of the state that's lacking...it's the number of elite professional sports teams. As such, sports fans in the Pine Tree State tend to follow teams and leagues in other areas. See the most popular franchises and competitions to bet on in Maine, below.

Maine Sport Leagues

Baseball, basketball, and ice hockey are three of Maine's most popular sports. However, none of basketball's G League, ice hockey's NAHL and ECHL, nor baseball's Eastern League are available on DraftKings or Caesars. With no professional teams competing in the nation's top divisions, the result is a Maine-less sports betting arena.

Maine's sports fans remain desperate for elite sporting action and adrenalin-pumping sports markets, though. That's why residents cling on so dearly to the NFL, NHL, NBA, and the MLB. Increasingly more prevalent is the state's appetite for soccer leagues — and you'll find all of these competitions at both major sportsbooks.

Maine Teams to Bet On

The state is home to teams like the Maine Celtics, Maine Mariners, and the Portland Sea Dogs, with each side followed by loyal supporters who'd love to back their team. As a result of DraftKings and Caesars leaving minor professional leagues out of their repertoire, Maine's most successful sports teams are impossible to bet on.

But that shouldn't deter anyone from indulging in bets on nearby and nationwide top-level teams. NHL's Boston Bruins, NFL's New England Patriots, and MLB's Boston Red Sox each boast avid followers in Maine — and bettors can back all three teams via either of the two available sports betting apps and websites. Bets on teams located across the US are permitted, too.

What you can't bet on in Maine

• Maine College Teams — As popular as collegiate and high school sports are, Maine's gambling laws prohibit bettors from wagering on the state's teams. You can bet on college sides located outside of the state, however.

• Politics — You'd be hard-pressed to find a state open to legalizing bets on political outcomes, with Maine being no exception.

• In-game Injuries — Neither DraftKings nor Caesars takes wagers on potential injuries during games or tournaments. Such markets would be in poor taste.

Other Types of Gambling in Maine

Sports betting is just one of Maine's legal gambling opportunities. Here, we discuss the state's rules on other popular forms of betting.

Casino (real money gambling) - Online casino gaming is among Maine's list of prohibited activities. However, two retail casinos — namely the Oxford Casino Hotel and Hollywood Casino Bangor — provide legal real-money casino games.

Sweepstakes Casinos - Sweepstakes casino sites are legal in Maine and provide an avenue for interested bettors to try free casino games.

Horse Racing - Off-track betting facilities operate at three locations in Waterville, Lewiston, and Sanford, while parimutuel wagering is allowed at the Hollywood Casino Hotel and Cumberland Fairgrounds.

Upcoming States to License Online Sports Betting Sites

In 2023, Maine joined a growing list of nearly 40 states to legalize online wagering for sports events. Legislators in other areas are eager to bring sports betting to their respective states — and we've detailed five of the most promising locations.

Vermont - On December 12, 2023, Vermont's Department of Liquor and Lottery announced that online sports betting would go live on January 11, 2024. The latest Vermont betting sites include FanDuel, Fanatics, and DraftKings Sportsbooks.

North Carolina - Multiple sportsbooks have partnered with North Carolina's tribal casinos ahead of the state's sports betting launch on March 11, 2024. Users can sign up at North Carolina betting sites, like Caesars, Bet365, FanDuel, Fanatics, and DraftKings from March 1.

Georgia - The future looks bright for Georgia betting sites, with the state on the cusp of passing a bill that would legalize sports wagering. Titled SB 386, the motion will go to the House before being subject to a vote. Should it pass, sports betting could launch by early 2025.

Missouri - A major effort to legalize Missouri betting sites is taking the state by storm. The bill, called HB 2331, was approved by the House in early February — and could see online sportsbook gambling arrive within two years.

Minnesota - Senator Jeremy Miller revealed plans for a "Minnesota Sports Betting Act 2.0" in early 2024. The Act, which is due to be presented early in 2024's legislative session, seeks to legalize sports gambling at 11 Minnesota betting sites.

Overview of Maine Sports Betting Sites

Undeterred by the apparent lack of interest from US sportsbooks, Maine's sports betting industry looks set to blossom under the guidance of DraftKings and Caesars. According to the state's figures for January 2024, both sportsbooks accrued a combined $38.1 million in wagers during the first month of the year. Perhaps most importantly, the Gambling Control Unit reported a 25.5% increase in revenue compared to December; evidencing a booming betting economy.

For players, there's much to be excited about. Competition between DraftKings and Caesars Sportsbooks will continue for the foreseeable, leading both operators to deliver better bonuses, odds, and services.

So, while these two giants of the gambling industry slug it out and compete for your favor, why not take advantage of the situation by checking out both platforms? This way, you'll easily compare odds and offers — with over 20 sports markets on each site, too.

Use the code CZR1000 to grab Caesars' welcome offer, or wager $5 at DraftKings for $200 in bonus bets right now.