Sweepstakes Casinos in Maine (2026)

Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Maine?

No. Maine banned dual-currency sweepstakes casinos with LD 2007, signed on April 6, 2026 and in force since July 14, 2026. The law, titled An Act Regarding the Prohibition of Online Sweepstakes Games, was sponsored by Senator Craig Hickman on behalf of the Department of Public Safety. It defines an online sweepstakes game as an internet or app-based game that uses a dual-currency system of payment and simulates casino-style gaming such as slots, poker, table games, bingo, lottery games or sports wagering, and makes it unlawful to operate, conduct or promote one in Maine.

Maine’s criminal code (Title 17-A, chapter 39) defines gambling as staking something of value on a contest of chance for a prize. Before LD 2007, operators argued that free daily coins and mail-in entries removed the element of consideration. The Legislature rejected that argument by targeting the mechanism directly: the law treats the purchase of Gold Coins that come bundled with redeemable Sweeps Coins as consideration, whatever the free-entry route says. The bill was not unanimous. The Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee split 11-2 in February 2026, the Senate passed the bill on March 12, the House voted 87-55 on March 26 and the Senate concurred on April 2. Governor Janet Mills signed it four days later and it became Public Law 2025, chapter 645. Because it was not emergency legislation it took effect 90 days after adjournment, on July 14, 2026.

Every major dual-currency brand has since left. We are not lawyers, and the casinos in our national list do not accept Maine players.

Timeline

• November 3, 2023: Maine’s tribal online sportsbooks launch with Caesars and DraftKings, the exclusivity model the later online casino law follows.
• June 2025: the Legislature passes LD 1164, giving the four Wabanaki Nations exclusive rights to run online casino gaming.
• December 3, 2025: LD 2007 is introduced and referred to the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee.
• January 8, 2026: LD 1164 becomes law without the Governor’s signature.
• January 14, 2026: public hearing on LD 2007. DraftKings testifies in support, arguing that unregulated sweepstakes platforms draw players away from licensed operators.
• February 18, 2026: the committee recommends passage as amended, 11-2.
• March 12 and March 26, 2026: the Senate passes the bill; the House follows 87-55.
• April 6, 2026: Governor Mills signs LD 2007, making Maine the second state to enact a ban in 2026 after Indiana.
• May and June 2026: operators wind down. B-Two Operations (McLuck, Hello Millions, Jackpota, Mega Bonanza, PlayFame, SpinBlitz) adds terms stating it will no longer operate in Maine from July 15, 2026; VGW (Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, Global Poker) and Stake.us also announce exits; Modo switches Maine to Gold Coin-only play.
• July 14, 2026: the ban takes effect.

How Maine law treats sweepstakes and gambling

• Unlawful gambling (17-A M.R.S. section 954): a Class D crime for anyone who intentionally or knowingly advances or profits from unlawful gambling activity. The statute is aimed at operators; a person who merely plays is not liable, although anyone under 21 who plays slot machines commits an offence.
• LD 2007 penalties: operating or promoting an online sweepstakes game is a civil violation with a fine of $10,000 to $100,000 per violation, paid into the Gambling Addiction Prevention and Treatment Fund. A licensee that breaches the law loses its Maine gambling licence and is ineligible for future licences. The conduct can also be prosecuted as unlawful gambling.
• Regulator: the Gambling Control Unit within the Department of Public Safety, which also licenses the casinos, sports betting and the forthcoming tribal online casino market.
• Players: the law creates no offence for players. If you held a balance with an operator that left, contact its support team about redemptions.

What Maine players should check

• Age: Maine requires players to be 21 for casinos, sports betting and the coming online casino market; the Lottery is 18+. Any prize-based online game you use should hold you to 21.
• Geolocation: departed operators block Maine by location. Using a VPN breaches their terms and forfeits balances.
• Gold Coin-only play: some brands still allow free social play in Maine with no redeemable currency. That is legal, but there are no prizes.
• Terms: read the state list in any site’s terms. If Maine is not listed as eligible, it is not.

Other legal ways to play in Maine

Maine has two commercial casinos: Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway in Bangor and Oxford Casino in Oxford. The Maine State Lottery has run since 1974 and is part of the Tri-State Lotto compact with New Hampshire and Vermont. Online sports betting launched on November 3, 2023 under tribal exclusivity, with Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings partnering with the Wabanaki Nations. Online casino gaming is legal under LD 1164 but not yet live; the Gambling Control Unit must finish rules and licensing, and a launch in late 2026 or early 2027 is expected. Harness racing with off-track betting, charitable beano and games of chance, and regulated daily fantasy sports round out the market.

Staying up to date

We monitor Gambling Control Unit enforcement of LD 2007, the launch of tribal online casinos and each operator’s Maine policy. This page and the casino list are updated as soon as anything changes; the review date in the header shows when we last checked.