Maine Sports Betting Guide 2026

Yes. Online and retail sports betting are legal and live in Maine. Lawmakers approved sports wagering in 2022, and the first mobile apps and retail sportsbooks launched on November 3, 2023. Sportsbooks are licensed and regulated by the Maine Gambling Control Unit, which sits within the Department of Public Safety.

Maine’s model gives the state’s federally recognized tribes control over mobile sports betting licenses. National brands such as DraftKings and Caesars operate in partnership with those tribes, offering statewide access through their apps as long as you are physically located in Maine when placing a bet.

Quick facts

• Sports betting law signed in 2022; launch on November 3, 2023
• 21 plus and located in Maine to bet
• Mobile and retail wagering both allowed
• Online licenses tied to Maine’s tribes

Maine currently has a smaller roster of online sportsbooks compared to older markets, but it does include familiar national brands. DraftKings and Caesars are the primary mobile operators, each offering modern apps, competitive odds and regular promos for Maine customers.

As the market matures, additional partners may join. For now, opening accounts with the available licensed books will let you compare odds, features and promotions in a controlled environment.

The list of sportsbooks can change over time as new operators are approved or partnerships shift. Always confirm that any app you use appears on the Maine Gambling Control Unit’s list of licensed mobile or retail operators.

Maine’s sports betting framework is straightforward but includes some important restrictions, especially around college sports and which entities can operate mobile platforms.

Who can bet in Maine

• You must be at least 21 years old
• You must be physically located inside Maine when placing a wager
• You must pass identity verification when you create an account
• You must use your own account; betting on behalf of others is not allowed

What you can bet on

• Professional sports, including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and major soccer leagues
• College sports involving out-of-state teams, subject to prop rules
• Golf, tennis, motorsports and combat sports
• Futures, including league championships, win totals and awards
• Team-level props and many live betting markets on approved events

What you cannot bet on

• Games involving in-state college teams such as the Maine Black Bears, even in tournaments
• College player props of any kind, including for out-of-state teams
• High school sports and most youth or amateur events
• Events or bet types not listed on the state’s approved wagering catalog
• Bets with unlicensed offshore sportsbooks that do not hold a Maine license

In-state college rule

Maine bans wagering on in-state college teams altogether, including when those teams appear in national tournaments played outside the state. Bettors can only wager on college events that do not involve a Maine school, and even then, only on team markets rather than player props.

College sports betting is one of the most restrictive areas of Maine’s sports wagering law. You can bet on many out-of-state college games, but in-state teams and player-level markets are off the board.

Allowed on college sports

• Moneylines, spreads and totals on games that do not involve Maine-based colleges
• Team futures on out-of-state programs, such as national title or conference winner bets
• Team-level props and select live markets on out-of-state college events where offered by the book

Not allowed on college sports

• Any wager on a game involving a Maine college or university team, regular season or tournament
• College player props for any team, whether in-state or out-of-state
• Exotic or integrity-sensitive college markets that regulators or sportsbooks remove

If a college market you expect to see is missing, it is likely restricted by law or by the operator’s own risk rules. Always rely on the menu shown inside your Maine sportsbook app.

Sports betting taxes in Maine affect both operators and individual bettors. Understanding the basics can help you avoid surprises at tax time.

Taxes on Maine sportsbooks

• Sportsbook revenue is taxed at 10 percent of adjusted gross sports wagering receipts
• Portions of tax revenue support the General Fund, problem gambling services, racing and agricultural programs
• These taxes are paid by the operators, not directly by individual players

Taxes on bettors and gambling winnings

• Sports betting winnings are taxable income at the federal level
• Maine also treats gambling winnings as taxable income for state tax purposes
• Large wins may trigger automatic reporting and a W-2G form from the sportsbook
• You are responsible for tracking your net winnings and reporting them on your tax returns

This is general tax information, not personal tax advice. Talk to a tax professional about how sports betting winnings fit into your federal and Maine state returns, especially if you bet in significant amounts or wager in multiple states.

In addition to mobile apps, Maine offers retail sportsbooks at select brick-and-mortar locations, including licensed casinos and off-track betting facilities. These locations typically share branding or technology with the same operators that power the online apps.

What to expect at Maine retail sportsbooks

• Sports lounges with large screens showing multiple events
• Staffed betting counters plus self-service kiosks for placing wagers
• Ability to deposit or withdraw cash associated with your online account at some locations
• Special promos or odds boosts tied to big game days and local events

Retail locations and partnerships can evolve as Maine’s market develops. The Maine Gambling Control Unit maintains the official list of approved operators and retail facilities.

Getting started with legal sports betting in Maine is simple. You can complete the entire process from your phone in a few minutes as long as you are physically in the state.

• Choose one or more licensed Maine sportsbook apps you want to try.
• Download each app or visit the official website and select Maine as your state.
• Create an account with your name, address, date of birth and last four digits of your Social Security number.
• Enable location services so the app can verify you are inside Maine.
• Make a first deposit using a supported payment method such as online banking, debit card or wallet.
• Review any welcome offer terms so your first bet or deposit qualifies.
• Place your first wager and track live odds and scores from your phone or desktop.

We recommend opening at least two Maine sportsbook accounts if available. Having multiple apps lets you compare lines, shop for the best price on each bet and test different interfaces without committing to a single book.

Compare top Maine sportsbooks

A new legal market can be exciting, but it is still easy to make emotional or rushed decisions. A few simple habits can help you enjoy Maine’s sportsbooks without letting betting take over your life.

Positive habits

• Set a fixed weekly or monthly betting budget and stick to it
• Use the available books to compare lines before you wager
• Focus on sports and markets you actually follow
• Keep a simple log of bets, results and closing odds
• Use deposit, loss and time limits inside the app when needed

Things to avoid

• Chasing losses with larger bets after a bad beat
• Trying to win back money quickly after a losing week
• Using offshore books that are not licensed in Maine
• Ignoring college betting restrictions and trying to bet on Maine teams
• Letting betting interfere with work, family or finances

If betting stops being fun or you feel out of control, reach out to Maine’s problem gambling resources or the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER. Help is available and confidential.