Opposition to the legalization of online casino gaming in Maine has resurfaced, with advocacy groups issuing renewed warnings about the potential social and economic impact of expanding iGaming in the state.
The Campaign for Fairer Gambling (CFG) released a statement this week criticizing reports that Governor Janet Mills may have reversed an earlier intention to veto legislation that would authorize online slots and casino-style games.
Maine already permits online sports betting, but most forms of internet casino gambling remain prohibited.
CFG argued that claims linking legalization to the displacement of illegal gambling activity are not supported by evidence.
According to the group, digital casino expansion tends to increase overall gambling participation rather than reduce unregulated activity, while also widening exposure to higher-risk products.
Campaign for Fairer Gambling Founder, Derek Webb, said: “I thought that we had reached the point where there was a consensus that the US expansion of online gambling has been a disaster.”
Webb added: “Janet Mills has proven that as Governor she has failed to protect the people of Maine with integrity.”
The group also highlighted concerns around mobile slot-style games, describing them as among the most intensive and accessible gambling formats.
CFG claims that losses are typically concentrated among a small percentage of players and that gambling-related harm can extend beyond individuals to families and communities, placing additional strain on public services.
The renewed criticism forms part of a wider debate in Maine over how digital gambling products should be regulated, restricted, or expanded.
Lawmakers are currently considering multiple proposals addressing different segments of the online gaming ecosystem, including social and sweepstakes-style offerings.
Earlier this week, the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA) testified before Maine legislators in response to Senate Paper 825, which seeks to ban social plus games statewide.
The organization argued that prohibition would drive compliant operators out of the market while leaving illegal platforms active, and instead proposed a regulated framework it says could generate more than $3m annually in state revenue.
SGLA Managing Director, Sean Ostrow, said: “If the language of SP 825 is passed, the outcome will be sadly predictable – the law-abiding operators will exit the state, but illegal operators will stay and prey on unsuspecting Maine consumers.”
The parallel discussions highlight the complexity facing Maine lawmakers as they balance revenue considerations, consumer protection, and public health concerns across an evolving digital gambling landscape.
Maine’s legislature has seen increased scrutiny of online gambling models following regulatory action in other US states, including recent bans on sweepstakes-style gaming in New York
