Maine Governor Janet Mills Must Make a Decision on Online Casinos This Week

The clock is ticking for Maine Governor Janet Mills, who must make a decision on last year’s online casino bill before the end of the week. Gov. Mills failed to act on the bill when it passed last year, and now has only the first three days of the new session to sign or veto the bill before it will become law by default.

The online poker and casino games bill has been stuck in limbo for months after it was “pocket-vetoed” in the summer of 2025. The Maine Senate passed the bill “under the hammer” — meaning without a roll call — after a last-minute scramble. Many expected Gov. Mills to quickly veto it. But under the pressure of a tight 10-day window to act, she elected to do nothing. Had the legislature still been in session at that point, the bill would have become law. However, Maine’s rules of procedure are such that a bill can’t become law by default after the session adjourns.

The bill, therefore, went into limbo while the legislature waited to reconvene. The governor has used this procedural quirk several times before, including with several bills in 2024. By rule, a bill that has been pocket-vetoed will remain active for the first three days after the session resumes — which in this case is on Wednesday, Jan 3.

Gaming Control Board Urges Veto

The “LD 1164” bill would legalize iGaming in Maine for the four tribes of the Wabanaki Nations. The Gaming Control Board is against the bill. The board believes it would create an iGaming monopoly for the Wabanaki Nation. This monopoly would shut out any other land-based casinos.

In a letter to Gov. Mills, the Gaming Control Board stated its opposition to the bill:

Although the Board has varying personal opinions about the general merits of legalizing Internet Gaming (“iGaming”), we are unified in our belief that any qualified operator should have the ability to obtain an iGaming license including the Wabanaki Nations. Cutting out Oxford and Hollywood Casinos entirely from offering iGaming is ill-advised and creates a monopoly that is harmful to consumers and the Maine workers employed by Oxford and Hollywood Casinos.

The letter also notes that the legalization of iGaming without allowing Oxford and Hollywood to participate would lead to significant job losses. It cited as many as 1,000 jobs potentially cut.

The letter also pointed to increased addiction risk and reduced tax revenue as reasons for a veto.

Based on previous stances and the Gaming Control Board’s opposition, the running expectation seems to be that Gov. Mills will most likely officially veto the bill this time. The board noted that it unanimously supports a veto by a vote of 5-0.

If Gov. Mills pulls out a surprise and signs the bill, Maine will become just the eighth state to legalize iGaming. The bill calls for a modest tax rate of 16%. That compares favorably to several nearby states. Pennsylvania, for instance, taxes online slots at a 54% rate.

PokerScout reached out to the Main Gaming Control Board for comment, but has yet to receive a reply.