An Exciting Agreement
US market-leading sportsbook DraftKings announced a partnership with the Passamaquoddy Tribe that will permit it to operate in the newly launched online sports betting market in Maine.
Maine officially authorised online sports betting from 9 a.m. local time on Friday, the 3rd of November. Provided the company passes licensing and regulatory approvals, Maine will become the 25th state in which DraftKings operates.
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of DraftKings, Jason Robins, said that building a relationship with the people of Peskotomuhkatikuk is a fantastic chance for casino operators. He emphasised that DraftKings will continue to work with the Maine Gambling Control Unit as they become: “The official mobile sports betting provider of the Passamaquoddy Tribe”.
The head of the tribe, Chief William Nicholas, said that they are excited to enter this agreement with DraftKings and the potential for continued progress and future growth it holds. He heaped praise on the popular sportsbook, describing it as the best organisation to collaborate with in the mobile sports wagering world.
Long Road To Regulation
After more than two years of work by Maine legislators, the state finally launched regulated online sports betting on November 3rd. The Legislative Document 585 (LD585) was initially passed in April 2022. However, in Maine, new laws are not introduced until 90 days after the end of the legislative session in which they were passed. The 130th legislative session ended on December 7, 2022.
Attempts to introduce regulated online sports betting in Maine have been ongoing since 2020. The move has been a huge source of contention between the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the State Governor Janet Mills, with several attempts being made to block it.
In the legislation that has been passed, there are steps to look after the Native tribes of the area. 50% of total revenue generated by operators is shared with tribal operators. A further 10% will be collected in taxes. The law also protects underage athletes in the state because Maine residents will not be allowed to bet on matches featuring schools from Maine. People can bet on tournaments involving Maine schools but not specific matches with Maine.
In-person or retail sports betting is restricted to commercial tracks, casinos, and off-track betting locations. So bettors can place sports wagers at the Hollywood track in Bangor. However, only Penn National Gaming is authorised to offer online horse racing betting.
DraftKings has marked the launch by donating $100,000 to the Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund. The fund is there to support people affected by the shooting spree carried out on October 25, 2023 - the deadliest in the state’s history.
Other operators that are expected to launch in the area include Caesars, who have an agreement with the tribes, Malisett, Mi’kamp, and Penobscot.
