Maine Governor Janet Mills has signed Legislative Document 2007 (LD 2007) and Legislative Document 2080 (LD 2080) into law, effectively banning sweepstakes casinos and prohibiting the use of credit cards for gambling transactions.
Maine’s decision to ban sweepstakes casinos comes as the state prepares to introduce a fully regulated online casino market. Earlier this year, Governor Janet Mills approved legislation paving the way for legal iGaming, with regulators indicating that platforms could be operational as early as 2027.
By removing sweepstakes operators ahead of that rollout, the state is effectively clearing space for a licensed ecosystem to take hold. This transition will provide players with a legitimate platform, deterring them from offshore sites that are unregulated and lack consumer protections.
If sweepstakes casinos were banned without an alternative option, players could put themselves at risk by becoming influenced to join offshore sites that don’t have the same compliance standards as regulated platforms. This is why it was essential for Maine to get regulated iGaming in place before banning sweepstakes casinos.
However, we’ve seen some pushback on this. Churchill Downs has filed a federal lawsuit against the state’s framework, arguing that granting exclusive online casino rights to the Wabanaki tribes creates an uneven competitive landscape.
In response, tribal representatives have moved to defend the law in court, stating that the model supports long-term economic development and self-sufficiency for their communities.
Despite the ongoing dispute, the strategy to remove gray-area gaming options while building a regulated market remains intact.
Maine’s decision to block credit card use for gambling deposits reflects a push to reduce the potential for financial harm among bettors. By requiring players to fund accounts through methods tied to existing balances, such as debit cards or bank transfers, the policy helps ensure that wagering is done with available funds rather than borrowed money.
The change is designed to make it less likely that players will accumulate gambling debt, particularly high-interest balances that can escalate quickly. It also introduces a barrier to impulsive behavior, making it less convenient to place bets on credit, encouraging more deliberate spending habits.
With this measure, Maine joins a growing group of states that have adopted stricter payment rules as part of responsible gaming efforts, including Illinois and Massachusetts.
