Maine’s legislative session concluded early Thursday morning, putting an official end to efforts to legalize online casinos in the state in 2024.

LD 1777 would’ve granted the state’s tribes exclusive access to online casino operator licenses. Granting exclusivity to the tribes caused friction among some legislators, which feared the state’s retail casinos would be hurt. A potential rise in problem gambling also worried some legislators, even with some tax revenue expected to benefit problem gambling treatment measures.

The bill had a roller coaster final few days during Maine’s legislative session, failing to pass through the House and Senate before then being revived in the Senate earlier this week. It was then shot down again in the House.

It’s possible Maine legislators will consider an online casino bill again in 2025.

Lack of online casino expansion

Mobile casino apps went live in Rhode Island earlier this year after the state legalized online casino gambling in 2023. With Maine’s failure to legalize, no states have legalized online casinos in 2024, and it’s not expected that any will.

There was some hope that Maryland would legalize online casinos in 2024, but legislative efforts fell short over concerns of brick-and-mortar cannibalization and problem gambling growth.

While legalization isn’t likely in North Carolina this year, Rep. Jason Saine made a push for online casino legalization in 2023. It’s possible state legislators at least discuss the topic during their 2024 legislative session, which begins next week.

Online casino expansion has lagged significantly behind sports betting legalization, although industry stakeholders are hopeful mobile casino growth could still occur in coming years.

Photo: Getty Images

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