A statewide poll of Maine voters shows 64% oppose iGaming. The news comes days before Gov. Janet Mills must decide whether or not to veto the effort to legalize iGambling. The narrow window to make the decision regarding LD 1164 closes on Friday, January 9.
The National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG) commissioned the study that was conducted by Lake Research Partners. It showed that 49% of the voters are strongly against iGaming, citing deep concerns about its potential harm to children, families, and communities. Additionally, if it’s signed into law, Maine Tribes would have exclusive control of the state’s online casino industry.
The survey of 500 likely 2026 Maine general election voters was conducted before the holidays. It revealed that only 16% of those surveyed support the legislation.
One of the major concerns continues to be how online gambling companies have repeatedly failed to prevent minors from accessing gambling apps, including on their parents’ phones.
Maine is not the first state to see iGaming legislation either fail or stall. New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, and Maryland are other jurisdictions that have fallen short of legalizing iGaming.
In 2025, a NAAiG survey showed similar anti-iGaming sentiment from Maryland voters.
Currently, only seven states offer legal online casino gambling. Rhode Island and Connecticut are the only states from the New England region where some form of iGaming is legal. Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Delaware are the other jurisdictions where online casino gambling is legal.
No other state has launched an iGaming market since Rhode Island’s 20224 launch.
The NAAiG is dedicated to protecting communities from the risks of online gambling by advocating for responsible, in-person gaming. With this week’s veto decision fast approaching, the organization stated how Gov. Mills “has a clear signal from voters.”
“Legalizing iGaming is deeply unpopular, politically risky, and viewed as a threat to children, families, and communities,” Jason Gumer, NAAiG Board Member and Executive Vice President & General Counsel at Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc., said. “The responsible course of action is to veto this legislation.”
The idea of The Pine Tree State legalizing online casinos is not a new topic. Maine lawmakers passed LD 1164 in June 2025. However, Mills did not take any action on the bill prior to the legislative session ending.
Now that January 2026 has arrived, the governor once again faces the decision to sign or veto the bill. If she takes no action within three days of the legislature’s return, LD 1164 will become law. Wednesday, January 7 marks the start of the next session of the 132nd legislature.
It’s a bill that did not receive overwhelming support as the Senate narrowly passed it by an 18-17 margin. The House approved it 85-59.
If Maine ends up legalizing iGaming, each tribe would be granted one license to partner with an online casino operator. Penobscot Nation, Passamaquoddy Tribe, Mi’kmaq Nation, along with the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians are the four tribes that would get exclusive rights to Maine’s iGaming market.
By the end of this week, Maine voters will learn whether or not their stance against iGaming was heard loud and clear.
