Maine governor vetoes sports betting bill

Janet Mills, governor of Maine, has vetoed a bill that would have allowed sports betting in the state, arguing that the people of Maine are not ready for sports betting.

Mills praised the bill’s intention in bringing sports betting away from the black market, but said she did not believe such a bill at this time was the will of the people of her state.

“I believe this bill is a good effort by those who wish to bring out into the open a black market activity that is practiced by many now and who want to regulate that activity without over-regulating or overtaxing it so as to drive it back underground,” Mills said. “The bill is a step forward towards achieving that delicate balance.”

“But, respectfully, I remain unconvinced at this time that the majority of Maine people are ready to legalize, support, endorse and promote betting on competitive athletic events.”

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