Maine Governor Janet Mills introduced on Thursday (January 8) that she goes to let LD 1164, a invoice that provides the state’s Wabanaki Nations the proper to run online casino gambling, grow to be legislation. The transfer shortly sparked sturdy reactions, each from tribal leaders and from the Nationwide Affiliation Towards iGaming.
The invoice, formally known as “An Act to Create Financial Alternative for the Wabanaki Nations,” permits the tribes to operate online gambling platforms as a solution to enhance their native economies. It expands on a 2022 legislation that already gave them the power to supply on-line sports activities betting.
iGaming is coming to Maine. That's based on an announcement launched by Gov. Janet Mills earlier right this moment.
Primarily based on the assertion's wording, it seems she's letting it grow to be legislation with out her signature. pic.twitter.com/0GKMFjUlTC
— Steve Bittenbender (@BittGDCG) January 8, 2026
Mills stated she reached her determination after sitting down with tribal leaders and punctiliously contemplating how the invoice may have an effect on the state.
“This fall, I met with the 5 elected Chiefs of the Wabanaki Nations, who every spoke passionately concerning the significance of this invoice in providing life-changing income for Tribal communities, in addition to offering a type of financial sovereignty for his or her Nations,” Mills stated in a release.
“I thought-about this invoice rigorously, and whereas I’ve considerations concerning the impacts of playing on public well being, I consider that this new type of playing needs to be regulated, and I’m assured that Maine’s Playing Management Unit will develop accountable guidelines and requirements to carry suppliers of this new type of playing accountable whereas guaranteeing that Maine’s tribes profit from its operations.”
Tribal leaders welcomed the choice, calling it an enormous step towards financial self-sufficiency and extra funding of their communities.
Chief William Nicholas Sr. of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township known as the invoice “an financial turning level for the Passamaquoddy individuals and for all Wabanaki Nations,” including that “our economies are undoubtedly stronger because of optimistic state coverage modifications underneath Governor Mills.”
Chief Kirk Francis of the Penobscot Nation stated revenues from the invoice would fund “important governmental companies for our individuals like well being, schooling, housing, legislation enforcement, social companies, environmental administration,” in addition to “cultural and youth packages” and tribal infrastructure.
Chief Clarissa Sabattis of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians stated the invoice would assist curb unlawful playing whereas making a regulated system. “LD 1164 will create a intently regulated iGaming market with strict controls and can guarantee a lot wanted revenues stay in Maine,” she stated, including that “the State will generate tens of thousands and thousands of {dollars} to battle opioid habit and supply emergency companies.”
Underneath Maine’s structure, Mills may both veto the invoice or let it grow to be legislation as soon as the Legislature wrapped up its session. Her workplace stated LD 1164 was amongst 61 payments she reviewed throughout that interval, and that “practically all of the enacted payments would grow to be legislation, with just one veto.”
Nationwide Affiliation Towards iGaming condemns determination to introduce on-line on line casino invoice in Maine
Nevertheless, the Nationwide Affiliation Towards iGaming, a gaggle that opposes on-line on line casino playing, strongly criticized the choice.
Governor Janet Mills’ determination to reverse her long-standing opposition to on-line on line casino playing and permit the #iGambling invoice on her desk to grow to be legislation represents a transparent break from the Governor’s beforehand said place and disregards overwhelming public opposition, skilled… pic.twitter.com/U64fuCLspp
— NAAIG_Official (@NAAIG_Official) January 8, 2026
“The Nationwide Affiliation Towards iGaming is deeply disillusioned by Governor Janet Mills’ determination to reverse her long-standing opposition to on-line on line casino playing and permit the iGaming invoice on her desk to grow to be legislation,” the group stated in a statement.
The group stated the governor brushed apart regulators, public opinion, and Maine’s present on line casino system. “This determination represents a transparent break from the Governor’s beforehand said place and disregards overwhelming public opposition, skilled warnings from her personal regulators, and a confirmed gaming framework that has delivered significant advantages to Maine communities and tribal nations for greater than a decade,” the assertion stated.
The group additionally stated Maine’s present on line casino system has been a dependable supply of public income, noting that the state’s two licensed casinos have introduced in additional than $500 million in taxes over the previous 15 years. In its assertion, the affiliation known as that document “measurable, clear, and relied upon by communities throughout Maine.”
It additionally stated Mills ignored warnings from state regulators. The affiliation stated the Playing Management Board had urged a veto and warned that the invoice would “undermine present casinos, put jobs in danger, and destabilize a system that has reliably funded public priorities.”
The group additionally described Maine as an outlier, saying the state is transferring on this path at the same time as different states are stepping again from increasing playing. “Maine’s motion is a putting outlier at a time when states throughout the nation are exercising elevated warning,” it stated.
The group additionally linked the governor’s determination to politics, noting that the reversal coincided with a US Senate marketing campaign and a aggressive main problem, which it stated made the transfer seem like “a political calculation somewhat than a coverage pushed by proof or public curiosity.”
The affiliation stated it plans to attempt to block the legislation by way of a statewide referendum. “We won’t settle for this determination quietly, and we’ll make sure the individuals of Maine have the ultimate say,” the group stated.
In response to the governor’s workplace, LD 1164 is ready to take impact 90 days after the Legislature wraps up its subsequent session, until lawmakers designate it as emergency laws.
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