Is online gambling legal in Maine?

Gambling winnings are taxable income, with 5% state withholding on wins over $5,000 and 24% federal withholding on wins over the same amount. You can ban yourself from all Maine casinos for one, three, five years, or a lifetime.

Play only on sites licensed in Maine; those have to follow its player-protection rules.

Online sports betting is legal on sites licensed in Maine. Online casino is legal on sites licensed in Maine. Online poker is legal on sites licensed in Maine. The lottery is legal on sites licensed in Maine.

The minimum age on record for gambling in Maine is 21+.

Federal: 24% withholding on wins over $5,000 (W-2G reporting required for wins of $600 or more). State: Winnings are subject to state income tax, with a mandatory 5% withholding on wins over $5,000.

Always verify a casino holds a valid Maine Gambling Control Unit licence before depositing.

Maine Gambling Control Unit's website

Prominent operators in Maine

If a site isn't on the regulator's licensee register, ask the regulator before you play: an unlisted site is usually not licensed here (a register can lag behind a new licence). An unlicensed site is outside the regulator's supervision, so you cannot complain to the regulator about it.

1. 1

   1. Contact Operator Customer Support

   The first step for any dispute regarding wagers, payouts, or account issues is to contact the licensed operator's customer service department directly. Operators are required to have procedures for handling complaints.

2. 2

   2. File a Complaint with the MGCU

   If the issue cannot be resolved with the operator, the player should file a formal complaint with the Maine Gambling Control Unit. The MGCU is the state body responsible for investigating licensee conduct.

   Contact the MGCU
3. 3

   3. Legal Action

   If regulatory channels fail to produce a satisfactory outcome, a player may pursue legal action through the court system.

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  Confirm the Operator is DraftKings or Caesars

  As of mid-2026, only two online sportsbooks are legal in Maine: DraftKings and Caesars Sportsbook. Any other brand offering sports betting is unlicensed. For future iGaming sites, check the MGCU's official list.

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  Verify the License on the MGCU Website

  The MGCU maintains a public list of all licensed gambling operators on its official website. Before depositing, cross-reference the site you are using with this official register.

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  Look for the Official Maine Licensing Seal

  Licensed operators are required to display the seal of the Maine Gambling Control Unit on their website and app, typically in the footer. Clicking it should confirm its authenticity.

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  Ensure Geolocation is Active

  Legal sites must use location-services technology to confirm you are physically within Maine's borders. If a site does not require a location check, it is not a legal, regulated operator.

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  Find Clear Responsible Gambling Tools

  Licensed sites must provide easy access to responsible gambling resources, including links to the state's self-exclusion program and options to set deposit, wager, and time limits.

• Myth

  Online casinos are fully open and running in Maine.
  Reality

  While legalized in January 2026, no online casinos are live yet. The Maine Gambling Control Unit must first finalize rules and issue licenses, with a launch not expected until late 2026 at the earliest.

• Myth

  I can bet with any sportsbook that accepts players from Maine.
  Reality

  Only two online sportsbooks, DraftKings and Caesars, are licensed to operate legally in Maine. Any other site accepting bets is an unlicensed, offshore operator, and using them provides no consumer protection.

• Myth

  My gambling winnings aren't taxed in Maine.
  Reality

  All gambling winnings are considered taxable income in Maine. The state requires a mandatory 5% withholding on any winnings over $5,000, which is in addition to the federal 24% withholding on wins of the same amount.

What you can expect from a licensed site's offers in Maine. The rules operators must follow are on the operator page.