Maine has opened public consultation on rules for its legal but not yet operational online-casino market. The Maine Gambling Control Unit released its proposed rulemaking notice on Sept. 30, giving interested parties until Oct. 30 to submit comments.
The proposed framework spans the core mechanics of a regulated market, according to PlayUSA. It addresses licensing, casino house rules, wagering systems, cybersecurity, geolocation, responsible gambling, advertising and promotions, as well as contracts and customer complaints.
The consultation is a necessary step before final rules can be adopted and licence applications can open. Maine has not announced a market-launch date, despite online casinos becoming legal after Gov. Janet Mills took no action on LD 1164 in January, allowing it to become law.
LD 1164 established exclusive online-casino access for Maine’s four tribes. That structure is being challenged in federal court by Churchill Downs, owner of Oxford Casino Hotel, which sued Gambling Control Unit Director Milt Champion in January. The case disputes which entities may offer online casinos in the state and includes a challenge involving language tied to “race or citizenship.”
The unresolved litigation sits alongside the rulemaking process as a constraint on the rollout. Caesars Palace Online Casino has nevertheless announced partnerships with three Wabanaki Nations, indicating preparations for a potential market entry.
The Gambling Control Unit’s next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 20. It follows meetings held in June at Hollywood Casino in Bangor and in August at Oxford Casino in Oxford.
