Maine voters show opposition to online casino gambling as Governor considers veto

A majority of Maine voters oppose the legalization of online casino gambling, according to a new statewide poll released as Governor Janet Mills approaches a narrow decision window to either sign or veto proposed iGaming legislation.

The survey, commissioned by the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG) and conducted by Lake Research Partners, found that 64% of likely 2026 general election voters in Maine are opposed to legalizing online casino gambling.

Nearly half of respondents said they were strongly opposed, while 16% expressed support.

Opposition was apparently recorded across party lines, including majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independents.

The poll was conducted between 13 and 16 December 2025, and surveyed 500 likely voters. Results were released as Governor Mills faces a Wednesday - Friday deadline to act on LD 1164, a bill that would legalize online casino gambling in the state.

If approved, Maine would become one of a relatively small number of US jurisdictions to permit iGaming, with no additional states adopting similar legislation since 2023.

Concerns around underage access to gambling platforms emerged as the most influential factor shaping voter opinion. According to the survey, a majority of respondents expressed concerns about the industry's ability to prevent minors from accessing online casino apps, including on shared family devices.

Additional concerns included addiction risks, financial harm to households and potential long-term social costs.

Notably, support for iGaming supposedly did not increase after respondents were presented with common arguments in favor of legalization, including projected tax revenues or proposals for tribal-exclusive operation.

The poll also suggests potential political consequences, with a majority of voters indicating they would be less likely to support lawmakers who back online casino legalization.

The polling results come just one month after Maine formally prohibited sweepstakes operations, introducing civil penalties up to $100,000 for violations and establishing license revocation procedures for operators offering dual-currency gaming products within state borders.