Contact:
Krysta West
Communications Director
Senate Republican Office
(207) 287-1505
krysta.west@legislature.maine.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUSTA – Sen. Matt Pouliot (R-Kennebec) today presented LD 1642, “An Act Regarding the Regulation of Sports Wagering,” to the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee. This bill would open a lawful market for sports betting, allowing Maine to capitalize on a practice already available to Maine residents online following a ruling by the United States Supreme Court last May that said that the federal ban on sports betting was unconstitutional.

“An illegal market run by offshore sites has been thriving in Maine for years and continues to advertise heavily to users in New England,” Pouliot said. “These offshore sites are not regulated, do not provide any tax revenue and do not provide any consumer protections. To shift consumer demand from the offshore market to a legitimate market, Maine will need to create a free market where robust competition from experienced operators, subject to a reasonable tax rate, ensure that lawful products make for a compelling offering.

“New Jersey is an example of how adopting a competitive sports betting market can be a great success. Last September, which was their first full month with mobile sports betting, they saw $184 million in wagers. That figure has since risen to $372 million in wagers, with 80% coming from online bets last month. We have an opportunity to capitalize on the sports betting here in Maine, offering our residents a safe, legitimate way to participate while keeping their wagers in-state.”

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