LD 2007, titled An Act Regarding the Prohibition of Online Sweepstakes Games, was signed by Gov. Janet Mills on April 6, 2026, and became Public Law Chapter 645. The law targets online sweepstakes games that use dual-currency systems and simulate casino-style gaming.
Maine sweepstakes casino operators were required to exit by July 14, 2026, when LD 2007 took effect
No Casinos found
After the July enforcement of LD 2007, essentially no sweepstakes casinos are now legal in Maine. This law was particularly comprehensive because it not only rejected the national sweepstakes contest legislation but also prohibited dual-currency gaming platforms statewide.
As a result, Stakester understands that only certain social casino and mystery box websites now remain legal in Maine.
Prior to the enactment of LD 2007, Maine had already banned legal real-money online casinos through LD 1164, passed in June 2025. Meaning online options are now exceptionally scarce.
The key point is simple: real-money online casinos, sweepstakes casinos, and most social casinos are not legal in Maine. The only alternatives remain:
Retail casinos: Brick-and-mortar gaming is legal and regulated, with two properties, Hollywood Casino Bangor and Oxford Casino Hotel, operating under state oversight.
Sports betting: Online sports wagering is live statewide. DraftKings and Caesars launched on Nov. 3, 2023, and MGCU administers and enforces sports-wagering laws and licensing.
Fantasy contests: MGCU licenses fantasy operators; the state’s roster includes DraftKings, FanDuel, RealTime Fantasy Sports, PrizePicks, and OwnersBox, among others.
Sweepstakes casinos and social casinos are not the same, even though both offer casino-style games online.
Sweepstakes casinos use a dual-currency system, where one coin is used for standard play and another promotional coin may be eligible for prize redemption under the site’s rules.
Social casinos, by contrast, are built for entertainment-only play and do not use the same prize-redemption structure.
Real-money online casinos and sweepstakes casinos are not the same, and Maine now makes that difference more important. Real-money online casinos became legal through tribal internet gaming legislation, but they are not live yet. Online sweepstakes games, by contrast, are prohibited under LD 2007.
The Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU), within the Department of Public Safety, supports the Gambling Control Board and handles day-to-day licensing, compliance, audits, and enforcement. It regulates the state’s two casinos (slots and table games), administers and enforces sports-wagering rules, and licenses fantasy-contest operators and suppliers.
MGCU maintains public lists of authorized licensees and has issued consumer advisories stating that no online casino or sweepstakes/social-casino site is licensed in Maine.
Help in Maine is available 24/7 through 211 Maine—dial 211 or text your ZIP code to 898—211, which serves as the statewide entry point for problem-gambling referrals and is promoted by the Maine Council on Problem Gambling.
You can also use the National Problem Gambling Helpline, 1-800-GAMBLER (text 800GAM, chat at 1800gamblerchat.org), which routes callers to in-state services.
Maine’s public-health network supports prevention and treatment through the Maine CDC’s Problem Gambling Services and the Gambling Addiction Prevention and Treatment Fund (funded in part by 1% of adjusted gross sports-wagering receipts).
The Maine CDC highlights options such as self-help resources, treatment, and placement on the casinos’ self-exclusion list.
Sweepstakes casinos and social sites aren’t state-licensed, but most offer in-product tools like self-exclusion, time/spend limits, and session reminders. Use these alongside state resources if you need support
If you redeem cash-equivalent prizes or non-cash items from a sweepstakes/social casino, that value is taxable income for both the IRS and the State of Maine.
Federal (IRS). Prizes and awards of $600+ that aren’t for services are typically reported to you on Form 1099-MISC, Box 3 (“Other income”). The IRS notes that sweepstakes not involving a wager belong on 1099-MISC; if a payout is tied to a wager, the payer may instead issue Form W-2G and gambling-winnings rules apply. Either way, the income is taxable, and you should keep records of redemptions and fair-market values for non-cash prizes.
Maine state income tax (2025). Maine taxes the same prize income you report federally. For tax years beginning in 2025, Maine uses three graduated brackets—5.8%, 6.75%, and 7.15% with filing-status-specific thresholds set out by Maine Revenue Services (see the 2025 rate schedule). You’ll include sweepstakes prizes in Maine taxable income when filing Form 1040ME.
Save any 1099-MISC/W-2G you receive, plus redemption confirmations and FMV documentation. Report prizes as other income on your federal return and include the same amounts in your Maine 1040ME filing. Maine’s published 2025 tables and instructions on the MRS site are your authoritative reference for current brackets and forms.
iCasino bill (LD 1164): Lawmakers passed LD 1164 in June 2025 to grant the Wabanaki Nations exclusive rights to operate online casinos, but the Governor took no action. The measure did not take effect and is expected to carry into the 2026 session, so real-money online casinos remain illegal for now.
MGCU consumer advisory: On June 9, 2025, the Maine Gambling Control Unit issued a formal warning that no online casino, iGaming, or sweepstakes/social-casino site is licensed in Maine, urging residents to avoid unregulated platforms.
Sports betting status: Online sports wagering continues statewide under MGCU oversight. The market launched on Nov 3, 2023, and the MGCU lists Caesars and DraftKings as the active operators.
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Maine?
Maine has not legalized or licensed online casinos; MGCU notes no sweepstakes/iGaming sites are state-licensed. Players who use sweepstakes sites are on platforms not regulated by Maine.
Which sweepstakes casinos accept players from Maine?
Availability changes. Choose national sweepstakes brands that explicitly list Maine as an allowed state in their Terms/Official Rules. Remember: the MGCU doesn’t license these platforms, so you’re using non-state-regulated sites. Always read eligibility and redemption rules before you play.
What is the difference between sweepstakes casinos and social casinos in Maine?
Sweepstakes casinos use a promotional redemption model tied to dual-currency play,
Social casinos are built for free-play entertainment and do not use the same prize-redemption structure.
How long do prize redemptions take for Maine players?
After KYC approval, reputable brands process in ~24–72 hours for most e-gift cards; larger bank transfers or checks can take 3–5 business days. Timelines vary by method, amount, and additional verification.
What purchase and payout methods typically work in Maine?
Most sites support debit/credit cards for coin packages and redeem via major e-gift cards, prepaid cards, or bank transfer/check. Some limit certain methods by state—confirm Maine availability in the cashier before you buy.
Can I play while traveling outside Maine?
Generally yes, but eligibility depends on your location at the time of play/redemption. If you’re visiting a restricted state, access or redemptions may be blocked. Check each site’s state list and plan redemptions when you’re in an allowed jurisdiction.
Stakester Newsletter
Be the first to find out when a sweepstakes casino launches and receive exclusive offers directly in your mailbox.
