Maine Goes With Sports Betting And Tribes Controlling Sector
Considerable efforts have been made by lawmakers in recent months to establish a sports betting industry in the north-eastern state of Maine. Although this hope is looking ever-closer to reality, the announcement that the states nascent sportsbook sector is to be chiefly governed by tribal entities has raised alarm amongst various gambling stakeholders in the Pine Tree state.
Prospective private operators and native casino concessionaries have expressed their concern, worried that complete tribal autonomy may leave them frozen out of the marketplace. The proposal, which has been provisionally approved by local lawmakers, details that four of the states’ Wabanaki tribes will be empowered to create both online sports betting platforms, and in-house sportsbook kiosks at their own casino venues. State Senator Joe Baldacci (Dem) suggests that the success of the proposal demonstrates a level of respect towards local tribal groups, and hopes that the potential bill will result in ‘’steps forward for the tribes and for all of us’’.
The proposal is still subject to the sign-off of Gov. Janet Mills, who has recently U-turned on her previous stance towards in-state gambling. As late as last year, Mills kiboshed two separate measures, one permitting sports betting, and the other authorising tribes to construct their own casino venues on Native American land. Nevertheless, she’s now re-calibrated her position, and thrown her weight behind a tribal-ran industry.
Mills has been suffering with COVID-19 over the last few days, but will reportedly put pen to paper to validate the legislation next week. Nevertheless, no formal date for market launch has been scheduled, raising fears that it may be some time before Maine presides over a fully-fledged sports betting industry.
