Maine online casino bill in limbo

A bill that would legalize online casino gaming in Maine is stalled and could face a veto from Governor Janet Mills in the future.

Earlier this week Governor Mills released a list of 60 pieces of legislation that she will not act on until the legislature returns to session. Included in that list was LD1164, the online casino bill. Since the bill was not signed into law and wasn’t vetoed by the Governor it essentially remains in limbo until the next legislative session, which isn’t scheduled until January, 2026.

The online casino bill was passed and sent to the Governor’s office on June 25, which was the same day the 2025 legislative session adjourned. Ordinarily after receiving a bill the Governor has 10 days to either sign it into law or veto it. If neither happens after 10 days the bill becomes law.

However, if the legislature has adjourned for the year, which is what has happened here, unsigned bills do not become law. This is called a “pocket veto” which leaves the bill in limbo, not law, and not officially vetoed.

Despite being passed by the legislature the online casino faced plenty of opposition, including from the Governor. The Governor has previously stated her opposition to additional gambling in Maine, and her administration spoke against the online casino bill. Penn Entertainment and Churchill Downs, who operate the state’s two brick-and-mortar casinos also have fiercely opposed legalizing online casino gaming.

Under LD1164 the state’s four native tribes would receive exclusive rights to online casino gaming, similar to the current structure of online sports betting in the state. Revenue from online casino gaming would be taxed at 18 percent. Online sports betting launched in Maine in 2023. Three of the four tribes partnered with Caesars Sportsbook to offer sports betting, and the fourth is partnered with DraftKings.

If the Governor were to veto the bill in the future a 2/3 vote in the legislature would be needed to block the veto. Judging by the votes that originally passed the bill in the legislature that large majority vote is unlikely.