Tribal Online Casino Bill in Maine Fails To Impress House Lawmakers

Maine’s House of Representatives on Tuesday defeated a proposed measure to grant exclusive internet gambling rights to Wabanaki tribes in Maine. That makes the only two states seeking approval for online casinos this year — the other being Maryland — reaching the same conclusion.

The proposal was an extension of the tribes’ exclusive rights to online sports gambling, which had been initially proposed by the Mills administration and approved by lawmakers in the previous legislative session.

• The bill, introduced by Representative Laura Supica, failed narrowly by a 74-71 vote.
• Nine Democrats broke ranks to oppose it, joining the Republican majority.
• Representative Roger Albert stood as the only Republican in favor of the measure.

Opposition Concerns and Economic Implications

Critics of the proposal raised alarms about several potential issues, emphasizing its exclusion of existing casino operators and the risk of job losses in Maine’s gaming sector.

• Lawmakers voiced fears that the measure could undermine casino employment in Oxford and Bangor.
• Concerns were also raised about an increase in problem gambling and imbalanced tax structures between traditional and online operators.
• Despite projections suggesting $100 million in revenue for tribes in the coming years, bipartisan resistance proved decisive.

Representative David Boyer expressed conditional support, stating he would be open to internet gaming if casino operators were included. He urged lawmakers to reject the current version and revisit the proposal in the next legislative session.

Supporters’ Perspective and Tribal Economic Goals

Supporters of the bill argued it represented an opportunity to correct historical injustices faced by Maine’s tribes, who were long excluded from prior casino initiatives due to land dispute agreements.

• Representative Aaron Dana, representing the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point, stressed that tribal revenue would stay within Maine’s economy rather than flow to out-of-state corporations.
• He emphasized that reinvestment in local programs would bolster tribal sovereignty and strengthen community well-being.
• Supica, who represents the Hollywood Casino and Hotel district, underscored that the bill aimed to benefit tribes exclusively, acknowledging its limitations but affirming her full support.

According to Supica, the initiative could yield $100 million over the next five years, with taxes funding essential public services such as emergency 9-1-1 systems, housing assistance, and gambling addiction programs.

While the measure’s defeat halts immediate progress, it has reignited debate about equity, economic opportunity, and tribal sovereignty in Maine’s gaming industry — issues likely to resurface in future legislative sessions.