Maine passes sports betting bill

Maine has become the third state in New England to regulate sports betting after its legislature pushed a bill through the House and Senate in the last two days of the state's regular session.

Legislative Document 553, which moved rapidly through the legislature on Tuesday (June 18), was given final approval by each chamber yesterday (June 19), and will now pass to Governor Janet Mills to be signed into law.

The one-line bill was filed by Senator Louis Lucchini in January this year, sitting with the legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee while lawmakers developed a regulatory framework.

Once this had been completed, the bill quickly moved through the Senate and House, aided by a suspension of rules to allow for two readings in a day, with only confirmatory votes required yesterday.

LD553 opens up the market to all of the state’s bricks and mortar gaming venues, such as commercial racetracks, off-track betting facilities, and commercial and tribal casinos. It will also allow mobile operators to apply for licences without the need for a land-based partner in the state.

Read the full story on iGB North America.