(The Center Square) — Maine’s federally recognized tribes will have exclusive rights to develop sports betting in the state under a proposal that outgoing Gov. Janet Mills has allowed to become law without her signature.
The legislation, which has been debated for years, will update a decades-old compact with the state’s Wabanaki Nations – the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Micmac and Houlton Band of Maliseet – allowing them to set up an online sports gambling market, including setting regulations and taxes on bets placed on professional sports. Each nation will get a state license to host online sports betting venues such as MGM and DraftKings.
Mills, who has previously opposed an expansion of gambling in the state, said she met with the five elected Chiefs of the Wabanaki Nations this fall who “spoke passionately about the life-changing revenue for Tribal communities, as well as providing a form of economic sovereignty” that sports betting could provide for their communities. She decided to let the bill become a law without her signature.
“It has always been my strong desire to work with Tribal leaders to improve the lives and livelihoods of the Wabanaki Nations, and it is my hope that this new revenue will do just that,” Mills said in a statement.
While the Democrat said she still has concerns about the impact of sports betting on public health, she is “confident” that Maine’s Gambling Control Unit will “develop responsible rules and standards to hold providers of this new form of gambling accountable while ensuring that Maine’s tribes benefit from its operations.”
Maine was among states that authorized wagers on professional sports after the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018 struck down a federal law barring sports gambling in nearly all states except Nevada, paving the way for betting on games.
But a landmark land claims settlement in 1980 exempted Maine from federal Indian gaming laws, which has prevented the tribes from opening casinos on their lands.
Chief William Nicholas Sr. of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township said in a statement that the new law marks an “economic turning point for the Passamaquoddy people and for all Wabanaki Nations” and praised Mills for not vetoing the bill. He also credited Mills for her previous support for the tribes’ economic well-being.
“Our economies are undoubtedly stronger due to positive state policy changes under Governor Mills,” Nicholas said. “Through her leadership over two terms, she has demonstrated an unmatched commitment to tribal self-determination and prosperity, earning her place as the greatest ever Maine Governor champion for Wabanaki economic progress. We are deeply grateful for her partnership and support.”
The Wabanaki sports betting bill was the final piece of legislation left over from the last session that was awaiting Mills action. Earlier this week, she allowed 52 bills to become law without her signature, while vetoing a plan to tighten rules on the state’s voter approved ‘right to repair’ law. Under state law, Mills had until Jan. 10 to act on the bills.
