Governor Janet Mills has chosen to delay action on a landmark bill that would authorize Maine’s tribal nations to offer online casino gaming. The measure, Legislative Document 1164 (LD 1164), cleared both chambers of the state Legislature but now remains in limbo after lawmakers adjourned the 2025 session. Mills’ inaction means the bill’s fate will be determined only after legislators reconvene, potentially later this year.

The bill is one of approximately 60 passed in the final days of the legislative session that Mills has opted not to sign or veto for now, according to Maine Public. Because lawmakers are no longer in session, the governor cannot formally veto any bill at this point but retains the option to do so—or allow it to become law without her signature—once the Legislature returns for at least three days.

In a statement explaining the delay, the governor’s office said: “The Legislature passed a significant number of bills at the end of session, and the governor takes seriously her constitutional obligation to thoroughly review all of them and to evaluate their implications on Maine people, Maine businesses, and the Maine economy.”

Online Casino Bill Could Transform Tribal Gaming Landscape

LD 1164 proposes to give Maine’s Wabanaki Nations—comprising the Passamaquoddy Tribe, Penobscot Nation, Mi’kmaq Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians—exclusive rights to operate online casinos. This would build on a 2022 law that granted the tribes sole access to the online sports betting market.

Under the new measure, the tribes would be allowed to partner with third-party vendors to develop digital platforms offering casino-style games such as poker, blackjack, and slots. These services would be accessible via mobile apps and websites across the state.

Proponents say the bill is a critical step toward economic empowerment for Maine’s tribes, which have historically been excluded from key development opportunities under the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act. Tribal advocates argue that LD 1164 could help close the gap in sovereignty and self-determination compared to other federally recognized tribes across the United States.

Supporters also point to potential economic benefits: online casino gaming is projected to generate up to $19 million annually for the tribal nations and their partners. The state would receive an estimated 18% cut of the gross revenue, or roughly $3.5 million per year in new tax revenue.

They also note that many Mainers already participate in unregulated offshore gambling, and argue that legalizing and regulating online casinos within the state would provide a safer, taxable alternative.

Resistance from Existing Casinos and Administration Concerns

Despite gaining legislative approval, LD 1164 faces significant opposition from stakeholders in Maine’s commercial gaming industry. Operators of the state’s two physical casinos—Hollywood Casino in Bangor and Oxford Casino in Oxford—strongly object to the proposal, citing concerns about job losses and market disruption. The casinos are run by national gaming companies Penn Entertainment and Churchill Downs, respectively.

The Mills administration has also expressed misgivings. During committee hearings, officials warned that the expansion of online gambling could undermine the state’s existing brick-and-mortar casinos. They questioned the long-term viability of those establishments if digital gaming options were given exclusive tribal control.

Additionally, some lawmakers have voiced concern that the bill would create an uneven playing field by granting exclusive rights to a limited group. Critics argue that the model could lead to a tribal monopoly over the online casino market, diverging from the competitive licensing structures adopted in many other states.

Historical Context and Legal Challenges

LD 1164 is seen by many as part of a broader push by the Wabanaki Nations to reclaim more control over their economic futures. The Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980 places unique restrictions on tribal governance that do not apply to most other federally recognized tribes. These limitations have historically excluded Maine’s tribes from national legislation like the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which facilitates tribal casino operations in other states.

The bill’s supporters view this new legislation as a means to address that imbalance and restore some of the autonomy Maine’s tribes have long been denied. If signed into law, LD 1164 would also place Maine among a growing group of U.S. states—currently totaling seven—that have legalized online casino gambling.

What Comes Next?

Because the Legislature is currently adjourned, Governor Mills is unable to formally approve or veto LD 1164 at this point. The bill’s status remains in flux until lawmakers reconvene, at which point she will have the authority to either sign it, veto it, or allow it to become law without her signature.

Mills’ history with gambling legislation casts further uncertainty over the outcome. In 2021, she vetoed a separate proposal that would have permitted the tribes to operate land-based casinos. Her administration also voiced opposition to the current iGaming bill during committee deliberations.

Until the Legislature returns, LD 1164 remains on hold, caught between economic aspirations, legal complexity, and political hesitation. For now, the future of online casino gaming in Maine rests squarely with Governor Mills and the decisions that await when lawmakers next gather in Augusta.