Maine sports wagers surpass $37.0m in opening month

Total handle in the month amounted to $37.6m. Maine launched its market on 3 November, with the reporting period covering the 27 days to the end of November.

Players won $32.7m from wagering during the month. After discounting $137,112 in voided bets and $82,342 in federal excise tax, this left adjusted gross receipts of $4.6m.

In addition, the State of Maine Gambling Control Unit says $464,152 was collected in other tax. Operators pay at a rate of 10% of adjusted gross receipts.

DraftKings ahead of Caesars in Maine

Looking at operators active in the opening month, only DraftKings and Caesars were live in November. Both launched in Maine on the market’s opening day on 3 November.

DraftKings performed the better of the two, posting $4.3m in adjusted gross receipts from a $30.5m handle. The operator is working with the Passamaquoddy tribe to offer its online sportsbook in Maine.

Players won $26.1m betting with DraftKings in November. The operator paid $65,467 worth of federal excise tax and a further $425,914 in other tax.

As for Caesars, adjusted gross receipts amounted to $382,374 and handle $7.1m. Winnings at Caesars hit $6.6m, with federal excise tax payments of $16,875 and other tax of $38,237.

Caesars is live in Maine via partnerships with three of the Wabanaki nations. These include the Houlton band of Maliseet Indians, Mi’kmaq nation and Penobscot nation.

Promising early signs for Maine 

Maine opened its market almost 18 months after sports betting was legalised in the state. Governor Janet Mills signed a bill permitting retail and online sports wagering last spring. 

However, LD 585 states internet sports wagering can only be run by approved tribes in the state. Tribes can apply for a licence to operate online betting. They may also partner one online operator each.

As for retail wagering, combined racetracks and off-track betting facilities can apply for land-based licences.