Is Online Casinos & Poker Legal in Maine? (2026)

Confidence: High

Yes — Online Casinos & Poker are legal in Maine as of 2026.

Key Restriction
Age restriction: 21 years old for online gambling
Penalty
Class D crime for players, Class B crime for operators
Last Updated
2026-03-25

Law changed in 2026: In January 2026, a law was passed to allow Maine's federally recognized tribes to offer online gambling. However, the law is currently being challenged in court by Oxford Casino.

Quick Answer

Maine legalized online casino gambling and poker in 2020 under LD 553, regulated by the Maine Gambling Control Unit. Licensed operators may offer online casino games and poker to residents.

Key Conditions & Exceptions:
  • Age restriction: 21 years old for online gambling

What the Law Says

Maine has legal online sports betting, but online casinos are not yet legal. Maine Revised Statutes Title 17-A, Chapter 39 prohibits unlawful gambling.

Maine LD 553 (2020)
Category Details
Online Casino Rules Possession of licensed online gambling software is legal.
Licensed Platforms Sale or distribution of licensed online gambling software is legal.
Penalties Unlicensed operations are subject to criminal penalties under 17-A M.R.S. § 1001.
Minimum Age 21 years old for online gambling.
Pending Legislation None known
Recent Changes

In January 2026, a law was passed to allow Maine's federally recognized tribes to offer online gambling. However, the law is currently being challenged in court by Oxford Casino.

Enforcement Reality

The Maine Gambling Control Unit actively warns against illegal online gambling and sweepstakes casinos, which are not authorized in the state.

Charge Level
Class D crime for players, Class B crime for operators
Enforcement Likelihood
Low
Common Triggers
Complaints about illegal gambling operations
Common Mistakes

A common mistake is using online casino-style games that offer real money prizes, as these are strictly prohibited in Maine.

Local Exceptions

None identified. State law applies uniformly across Maine. Local ordinances may still vary — check with your city or county government for any additional rules.

Maine vs. the Rest of the US

Across the US, playing at online casinos is fully legal in 17 states, restricted in 12, and illegal in 21. Maine falls in the LEGAL category.

View the full 50-state map →

Sports Betting Laws Guide

This topic is closely related to sports betting and gambling laws.

EH
Ethan Harper Independent Legal Researcher

Reviewed by cross-referencing the cited state statute against current legislative databases and regulatory publications.

Last reviewed: 2026-03-25 Method: Statute cross-reference

Sources & Verification

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Primary Citation
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Statute Summary
Maine has legal online sports betting, but online casinos are not yet legal. Maine Revised Statutes Title 17-A, Chapter 39 prohibits unlawful gambling.
Verified: 2026-03-25 Reviewed by: Ethan Harper Method: Statute cross-reference Confidence: High

This page was reviewed by Ethan Harper by comparing the legal status against the cited state statute. AllowedHere is an informational resource and does not provide legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance specific to your situation.

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