Maine Governor Janet Mills has enacted a sweeping series of legislative updates aimed at overhauling the state’s gambling landscape.
By signing three distinct bills this month, the Governor Janet Mills has effectively banned sweepstakes gambling, prohibited the use of credit cards for online wagering, and implemented strict caps on bulk lottery purchases in Maine.
A Total Ban on Sweepstakes Operators
Legislative Document 2007 represents the most aggressive of the new laws. It explicitly prohibits dual-currency online sweepstakes casinos, poker sites, and sportsbooks from operating within the state. At the time of signing, nearly 60 such operators were active in the Pine Tree State. T
he law empowers the Maine Gambling Control Board (MGCB) to issue fines of up to $100,000 for non-compliance and bars offenders from ever receiving a formal state license. This makes Maine the second state in 2026, after Indiana, to target the sweepstakes model.
Prohibiting Credit-Based Wagering
In a move focused on consumer protection, LD 2080 adds Maine to a growing list of states, including Illinois and Massachusetts, that ban credit cards in all forms of iGaming. Originally proposed for sports betting only, the bill was expanded by Rep. Marc Malon to cover online casinos following Maine’s recent legalization of the sector.
“While sports wagering continues to grow and as iGaming comes online, it is appropriate for the legislature to consider guardrails, which can protect consumers from falling into dangerous habits and into debt,” Malon stated.
Restoring Integrity to the Lottery
The third measure, LD 2095, addresses an “active crisis” regarding bulk lottery buying. The bill bans individuals or groups from purchasing more than $25,000 worth of tickets in single or multiple transactions. Authorities argue that bulk purchasing undermines the fairness of the lottery and creates an unfair advantage for wealthy players.
These combined legislative actions aim to ensure that Maine’s gaming market remains equitable and safe as it prepares for a fully regulated iGaming launch.
