Currently, the regulation of gambling activities in Maine is in the hands of the Maine Gambling Control Unit. An ongoing goal for the agency is to oversee gambling activities across the state, providing effective, efficient and consistent regulation.

As such, the authority constantly monitors the activities of land-based casinos. Online betting, which launched in November, is also scrutinized by the Maine Gambling Control Unit.

While the constant monitoring of casino operators was among the requirements set by Maine’s residents when they approved such activities, internal changes to the gambling regulator’s policies may result in more lax control.

This is according to a recently released report by WGME, which highlights the concern of one gambling inspector who complained about the actions of their boss who allegedly created a hostile work environment and implemented changes to the monitoring schedules for the inspectors.

Gayle Craig currently holds the role of a gambling inspector for Bangor’s Hollywood Slots and Casino. She is a subordinate of the Maine Gambling Control Unit’s director, Milton Champion. According to the recent report, Craig complained that her boss retaliated after she raised different concerns.

Decreasing the Monitoring Frequency as a Result of the Changes

The gambling inspector said that she and the other inspectors’ schedules changed from 10 hours for four days to eight hours for five days. But Craig’s main concern is that the changes in schedule deprived the casinos across Maine of 24/7 monitoring, something which was a standard practice before.

In the words of the gambling inspector: “Removing us two days a week is really impacting the casinos, and as far as I’m concerned the public would be interested because when people voted to bring casinos into Maine they voted for strict oversight and he’s removing it.”

Craig explained that the aforementioned change in the inspectors’ schedule means that there won’t be a representative of the gambling regulator in the late hours. Moreover, she warned that the changes mean that there won’t be a casino inspector present on Sundays and Mondays.

Michael Sauschuck, a commissioner with the Department of Public Safety, supported the change made by the gambling regulator’s boss. Sauschuck spoke in defense of the gambling regulator’s boss during a meeting earlier this week.

The recent report did not reveal what concerns the gambling inspectors raised with their boss. It is yet to be seen how the sector or gambling addiction groups will react to the change.

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Casinos across the United States offer different incentives for their customers. While many leading operators offer loyalty programs that allow their users to accumulate points and unlock different prizes, others offer raffles, promotions or giveaways. Hardly anyone can say no to something that is free, especially if that involves casino credit. This is precisely the case of an Oxford, Maine casino.

Oxford Casino, operated by Churchill Downs, has some 27,000 square feet of gaming space, offering 28 table games and 970 slot machines. The premier gaming and entertainment destination also offers a variety of dining outlets and a hotel with nearly 110 rooms. On a weekly basis, Oxford Casino engages in a special promotion, picking five customers who receive credits for slots.

The weekly draw grants five random clients with $250 in free slot credits, informing them via email. While usually, the number of customers is only five, recently, a number of other patrons also received such email. To their disappointment, this email was sent by mistake, as announced by FOX 23. Five lucky guests picked randomly received an email informing them of the $250 in free slot credits on January 10. However, shortly after, an unspecified number of customers were also sent the same promotional email.

Matt Gallagher, Oxford Casino’s general manager, revealed that five patrons were notified correctly about their winner status on January 10. Yet, he explained that as a result of a human error, other patrons who were not winners in the promotion also received the same email, notifying them of the free slot credits.

“Unfortunately, the same email was incorrectly sent to a number of patrons who were not winners. This was the result of a human error.“

Matt Gallagher, general manager at Oxford Casino

Upon uncovering the error, Oxford Casino contacted the state’s gambling regulator, the Gambling Control Unit. The operator sought and received approval from the regulator to email the customers who were mistakenly notified about the winning credits, notifying them about the annulment of the offer.

Despite the swift actions of Oxford Casino, a dozen people filed complaints with the Gambling Control Unit. Currently, it remains unclear what is the total number of customers who were emailed with the promotion by mistake.

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Currently, Maine’s federally recognized tribes hold exclusive rights to sports betting. The state launched its legal betting market back in November last year, yet tribes continue their efforts toward the expansion of gambling in the state.

On Wednesday this week, Maine’s Veteran’s and Legal Affairs Committee, heard details regarding three bills that propose the expansion of gambling, permitting tribes to establish and operate casinos on their lands, as announced by the Portland Press Herald.

Rep. Ben Collings, a sponsor of one of the bills that was recently reviewed, spoke about the benefits of expanding gambling. “I believe this is a matter of basic fairness,” he outlined, pointing out that despite the tribe’s exclusive online sports betting rights, they need more funds to fund their communities.

Collings said that allowing the tribes to establish casinos can provide much-needed funding for their reservations and boost rural communities. “I think it’s time we step out of the way and end this discriminatory policy that we have and let tribes run their own businesses and do with that money what they see fit and also bring in much-needed revenue to the rural areas of Maine and to our state’s economy,” he explained.

Existing Casino Operators Voice Their Concerns

Despite the potential benefits of expanding gambling across Maine through federally recognized tribes, not everyone agrees with the proposals. The state’s two casinos are significantly concerned about the impact a statewide expansion may have on their business. Representatives of the casinos in Hollywood and Oxford voiced their concerns about the proposals, adding that there may not be such high demand for this many casinos across the state.

Dan Walker, an attorney representing Oxford Casino, explained that a statewide gambling expansion marks a significant step for Maine. “You combine it with what else we’ve been hearing, (and) what’s being brought forward to this committee this session is the biggest expansion of gaming in (Maine) history, taken all together,” he explained.

Chris Jackson, a Hollywood Casino representative, confirmed that the gambling sector is significantly competitive. He added that in a state like Maine, there are “very limited gaming dollars” which makes the competition fierce.

Still, supporters of the tribal gambling expansion continue to hope the proposals will gain further traction. So far, Gov. Janet Mills has opposed the state’s gambling expansion. However, in 2022, she did make an exception by approving a proposal that allowed the tribes to secure exclusive rights over online sports betting.

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Maine, which is one of the latest states to launch sports betting, has published data about the industry’s performance in November. As it turns out, local players wagered almost $37.5 million during the first month of sports betting in the state.

According to the Maine Gambling Control Unit, part of the state’s Department of Public Safety, this figure signifies a smooth and frictionless launch of the vertical, highlighting the enthusiasm of local players.

According to Milt Champion, the Gambling Control Unit’s director, the authority received just a few complaints. In addition, the state’s hotline for problem players did not record a spike in calls, implying a strong yet healthy market.

Champion said that “everybody is behaving,” which he described as a good sign.

Maine’s Sports Betting Market Is Very Promising

Maine’s online sports betting market is controlled by the state’s indigenous tribes, notably the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Micmac, and Maliseet nations. The tribes are provided with exclusive rights to operate mobile betting apps, as long as they provide 10% of their revenue to federal taxes. The online betting market is open to customers aged 21 or older.

Tribes launched their own sportsbooks in partnership with existing commercial operators. The Passamaquoddy tribe selected DraftKings as its partner, while the other three tribes picked Caesars Sportsbook.

Despite partnering with only one of the tribes, DraftKings’ sportsbook dominated the mobile and online sports betting market. In November, the four tribes received roughly $2.3 million, providing $468,000 in taxes to the state. The rest of the gross receipts went to the vendors.

The favorable results became clear back during the opening weekend of Maine’s market when DraftKings netted over $3.4 million in profits. During the opening weekend, DraftKings paid out $2.57 million in winnings to its players, as well as $82,000 in taxes.

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In most states across the US, lottery winners cannot remain anonymous. Even if the winnings are in the millions, most states require the winners to be identified, which can sometimes cause trouble for the lucky few. Maine is one of the states that requires winners to be identified. However, the winner of one of the largest Mega Millions jackpots in the state was able to collect their winnings through a limited liability company called LaKoma Island Investments earlier this year. This effectively enabled the person to remain anonymous and collect the grand prize.

Now, a new report released by the Portland Press Herald suggests that the lucky winner is willing to go to great lengths to protect his identity. Reportedly, the person who won the $1.35 billion Mega Millions jackpot filed a lawsuit against the mother of his child with the US District Court in Portland. With scarce details on the topic, the lawsuit identifies the man only by a pseudonym and confirms that he currently resides in Maine. Similarly, the mother of his child was also identified with a pseudonym, but it was confirmed that she lives in Dracut, Massachusetts.

The new lawsuit alleges that the woman breached a non-disclosure agreement that was signed with the winner of the jackpot. This agreement reportedly dates to February this year and was signed between the duo before the man claimed the Mega Millions jackpot. The winner of the jackpot alleges in his lawsuit that the mother of his child shared “protected subject matter” with two persons she was not allowed to under the non-disclosure agreement. The defendant is given time until December 6, 2023, to submit a response.

The Lottery Winner Seeks Injunction, $100K in Damages

The lucky winner of the $1.35 billion jackpot beat incredible odds of 1 in more than 300 million to win the grand prize. As with other big sums, the winner can select a lump cash payment or annual installment payments for the full sum. The winner from Maine selected a lump cash sum payment, taking a staggering $723.6 million. It’s important to note that lottery winnings across the US are taxable so this sum is before the applicable taxes.

In his case against the mother of his child, the lottery winner seeks injunctive relief from a judge. Moreover, the winner is after some $100,000 in damages from the defendant.

Undoubtedly, the lawsuit reaffirms the lottery winner’s dedication to concealing his identity. The legal claim explains that the non-disclosure agreement signed between the winner and the defendant was to address “the unique safety, security, and privacy concerns associated with winning the lottery.” The legal document confirmed that the winner wanted to protect his identity so he could avoid irreparable harm to himself and his assets.

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Sportradar Group, a company at the intersection between sports, media and betting, announced that it has expanded its US presence with a new license. As reported by the company, it successfully secured a temporary sports betting supplier license for the state of Maine.

According to the official announcement, the license was handed to Sportradar’s US betting subsidiary, Sportradar Solutions, by the Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU) on November 1. This allows the company to make a foray into the Pine Tree State, solidifying its US footprint.

As a result, Sportradar now holds a total of 53 licenses across North America. The company’s products are thus available across US states, territories and tribes, as well as in Canada. Companies in these jurisdictions can employ Sportradar’s cutting-edge products and services and benefit from the fast, accurate and reliable data it offers.

Sportradar remains committed to not only supporting sports betting and gaming companies but also advancing transparency and integrity across the sector.

In other news, Sportradar recently posted strong Q3 results and highlighted the achievements of its business during the quarter ended September 30. The company recorded a noticeable uptick in revenue and reaffirmed its strength in cross-selling and upselling to its clients.

Sportradar also confirmed its plans to streamline its operating structure and reduce its global workforce. As a result, Sportradar is set to part ways with a number of workers, leading to an approximate 10% reduction in 2023 labor cost run rates.

Sportradar is also set to benefit from the launch of betting in Florida, although the legal battle between the Seminole Tribe and West Flagler continues.

DraftKings Was among the First to Enter Maine’s Fresh Market

Maine is one of the latest states to launch sports betting following the repeal of the PASPA in 2018. It joined several dozen states where wagering on sports is already legal, bringing the total number of states with live regulated betting markets to 37. In addition to that, betting is also live and legal in the District of Columbia.  

Maine legalized both retail and online betting, allowing gambling companies to tap into new audiences. DraftKings, one of America’s biggest sports betting operators, was among the first to set foot in Maine. Launching in the Pine Tree State in partnership with the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the operator was welcomed by tribe officials who praised the opportunity to work with an industry leader.

DraftKings’ wagering products resonated with players in the state, as demonstrated by the stellar opening weekend.

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The only US-based sports betting operator integrated vertically, DraftKings Inc., has revealed its plans to launch an online sports wagering app in Maine through a new deal with the Passamaquoddy Tribe, a federally recognized Indian Tribe based in Washington County, Maine. 

Maine, Ready to Officially Open the Market

The two parties have reached an agreement in principle which is still subject to the standard licensing and regulatory approvals. The launch will mark the digital sports entertainment and gaming company’s 25th US state launch.

The Passamaquoddy Tribe is one of the four Indigenous tribes that will control the state’s online sports betting market which will officially launch on November 3, at 9 am, according to the Department of Public Safety. 

The Penobscot, Maliseet, and Micmac nations are the other three tribes that will hold exclusive rights to operate online sports wagering apps while securing at least half of the mobile revenue. Maine will receive 10% in taxes. Part of the amount will cover federal taxes.

At the end of August, DraftKings opened a permanent sportsbook at Queen Baton Rouge, the gaming establishment built at the site of the previous Hollywood Casino.

The Deal, a “Huge Step Forward” for Local Communities

According to Pleasant Point Tribal government’s chief, Pos Basset, the Sipayik tribe, which is one of the tribe’s two reservations alongside Motahkomikuk, has already expressed its excitement for the deal signed with DraftKings “the industry leaders.”

According to Basset, Sipayik was eager to contribute to introducing sports fans and bettors in Maine to a “first-class mobile sports wagering experience,” calling it a huge step forward for both the local community and the Pine Tree State. 

Passamaquoddy Tribe’s chief, William Nicholas, expressed similar views regarding the new partnership, adding they “couldn’t have landed a better organization in the mobile sports wagering arena.” Nicholas also took the opportunity to express their eagerness to see ongoing progress and more investments that will promote the future development of the state. 

DraftKing, the Passamaquoddy Tribe’s Official Mobile Sports Betting Provider 

According to DraftKing’s co-founder and chief executive officer, Jason Robins, the new relationship with the Tribe which currently counts 3,000 members represents “a fantastic opportunity” for the sportsbook in the context of their plans to introduce Maine customers to safe and legalized forms of sports wagering. 

Robins also took the opportunity to express their desire to keep close ties with the Maine Gambling Control Unit. The bureau, which is part of the Department of Public Safety, is responsible for regulating, supervising, and controlling “the ownership and operations of slot machine and table games in casinos and the operation of advance deposit wagering.”

The CEO also explained that the new agreement, which would allow sports aficionados who are at least 21 years old to use their “innovative, immersive and entertaining sportsbook app,” will also turn the company into the official online sports betting provider of the Passamaquoddy Tribe. 

Maine customers will be given access to a plethora of betting alternatives ranging from in-game betting, pre-match, same-game-parlay options created in-house, and signature options. 

In the same press release used to showcase the new agreement, DraftKings also announced it would make a $100,000 donation to the Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund to show support for those who have been affected by the tragic events that occurred in Lewiston last week.

In September, DraftKings announced it would offer Hacksaw Gaming’s gaming content to customers in West Virginia, turning into the second operator to do so. 

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A mass shooting on Wednesday has taken the life of 18 people in Lewiston, Maine. The suspect for the crime, identified with initials R.C., injured 13 more after he opened fire on two local businesses. After trying to hunt him down for days, law enforcement confirmed Friday that the suspect was found dead near a recycling plant in Lisbon – Maine Recycling, where he is believed to have recently worked. Reportedly, R.C. was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

While the suspect was still at large, businesses across Lewiston were encouraged to close their doors. Hollywood Casino Bangor released a statement recently, confirming that it closed its doors to visitors on Thursday, October 26, 2023. “In light of the tragic events unfolding within our State, and out of an abundance of caution, Hollywood Casino will remain closed today 10/26/23.  Our heartfelt condolences go out to all those grieving this morning and we continue to hope for a speedy resolution to the situation,” explains a statement released by the entertainment destination.

The recent terrifying crime temporarily impacted the operations of another casino in Maine. Oxford Casino Hotel released a statement confirming that it decided to reopen effective from October 28, 2023. The leading gaming and entertainment destination confirmed that it will operate with 24-hours police presence. Moreover, Oxford Casino Hotel confirmed that the only open entrance that will be used would be the one for the hotel and not the main casino entrance.

Amenities at Oxford Casino Hotel Reopen

Oxford Casino Hotel confirmed that the hotel would not reopen before Tuesday, October 31, 2023. According to the venue, its slots will continue to operate normally as of October 28, 2023. On the other hand, Oxford Casino Hotel said that will be opening its table games “tentatively” from the same date. Similarly, the venue confirmed the opening of its Video Bar, Express and The Ox Pub.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to those impacted, as well as their families and friends. With the shelter in place being lifted, we have made the decision to re-open October 28, 2023,“

reads a statement released by Oxford Hotel and Casino

Maine Gov. Janet Mills, who was cited by NBC10 Boston, confirmed at a press conference that the body of the culprit believed to be responsible for the killings was located by Maine State Police. She confirmed that she contacted President Joe Biden to notify him about the situation.

The latest terrifying crime once again raises concerns about gun safety and gun control. For years Democrats have supported the implementation of more rules for guns, something that many Americans consider is a breach of the Second Amendment.

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In a significant development, the Maine House voted in favor of a bill that would enable Native American tribes in the state to benefit from federal laws, overriding a previous land claims settlement. However, the proposed legislation specifically prohibits the application of certain federal laws related to casinos, making it necessary to obtain state approval for their establishment. The bill will now move to the Senate for further consideration.

Maine Bill Seeks to Extend Federal Benefits to Wabanaki Tribes

The tribes in Maine have long been governed by the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980, which subjected them to state law and limited their access to federal legislation. This contrasted with the autonomy enjoyed by the other 570 federally recognized tribes across the country.

The proposed bill seeks to address this disparity by allowing most federal laws that benefit other tribes to extend to the Wabanaki tribes in Maine, reported New England Cable News. However, it is important to note that the bill falls short of granting full sovereignty to the tribes.

The legislation specifically excludes certain federal laws pertaining to casinos, requiring state permission for their establishment. This provision aims to strike a balance between tribal interests and state concerns. Despite the exclusion, tribal leaders and supporters of the bill have expressed optimism about its potential benefits.

Passamaquoddy tribal representative, Rep. Aaron Dana, shared a troubling incident to illustrate the urgent need for change. He highlighted how his tribe was unable to seek aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) when a cold snap caused pipes to freeze at a health clinic. Dana stated that he believed the bill could be considered the single most important in recent history due to the immediate and critical impact it could have on the Wabanaki tribes.

Critics Voice Concerns as Maine Tribal Bill Raises Potential for Conflicts and Lawsuits

However, critics of the bill have raised concerns about potential conflicts and lawsuits that could arise from its implementation. Governor Janet Mills’ chief legal counsel urged the tribes to collaborate with the administration to find mutually agreeable solutions rather than pursuing a bill that may create new complications.

The bill’s passage in the Maine House reflects a significant step forward in rectifying the inequities faced by Native American tribes in the state. While it falls short of full sovereignty, it represents progress toward achieving greater parity with other federally recognized tribes.

The Senate will now deliberate on the bill, and its fate will be closely watched by tribal communities and supporters throughout Maine. The Native American tribe bill comes at a time when the state of Maine is preparing to launch its sports betting market. The head of the state’s gambling regulator, Milton Champion, suggested that sports betting could go live in time for Thanksgiving, pending the review and approval of the revised rules.

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Five years since the repeal of PASPA by the US Supreme Court, sports betting is now available in different forms in more than 30 US states. In general, the interest in the activity in its mobile form is more popular and that doesn’t come as a surprise, considering the flexibility mobile devices offer.

Maine legalized its sports betting market last year, but legislators are still in the process of drafting the rules prior to the launch of the activity. Now, a new report suggests that legal sports betting may be launched later this year, just in time for Thanksgiving.

As reported by Central Maine, Maine Gambling Control Unit’s head, Milton Champion, confirmed during a recent interview that sports betting may become a reality in the state at some by this November. Speaking about the drafted rules, he noted that the initial version has received nearly 600 public comments, which prompted a review.

Now, the new rules introduce significant changes to the proposed regulatory framework, easing the advertising requirements for example. The initial version of the regulatory framework for sports betting proposed restrictions for advertising that did not allow celebrities to participate in materials related to gambling. However, the revised version of the regulations excluded that option, with the only requirement in place mandating celebrities that engage in gambling advertising not to appeal to underage individuals.

According to the chair of the Gambling Control Board, Seven Silver, the new rules related to advertising are “a lot more reasonable.” He explained that the revised regulation when it comes to advertising “have softened quite a bit, which may make them more palatable.”

Launch of the Market Expected by November

Speaking about the recent draft of the rules, Champion noted: “I think we have a good product at this point.” However, as with the first draft of the regulation, the revised rules would need to undergo public comments, which is a process that is open until June 16, 2023. Still, Champion said that he doesn’t see a reason why the new rules won’t gain further traction.

“Best-case scenario, mid-November, we could go live. We could be live by Thanksgiving.“

Milton Champion, head of the Maine Gambling Control Unit

The head of the Maine Gambling Control Unit predicted that if everything goes as planned, the state may go live with sports betting by Thanksgiving this year. He explained that the revised rules can undergo a review by the Attorney General, who can take up to 120 days before granting approval.

An important part of the process prior to the launch of the market would be licensing of the operators. Champion noted that gambling operators that want to enter the sports betting market should consider applying for a license soon.

So far only Caesars has shown high interest in the betting market in Maine. Yet, Champion noted that his office is yet to receive applications from sports betting operators. Last but not least, he spoke about the complexity of the process when approving a license and urged operators not to wait.

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