15 Jun 2025 The Maine House of Representatives passed LD 1164 (HP 769) on June 12, 2025. If this vote goes through, the Wabanaki Nations would be the only ones in the state that could run online games. The bill is officially called An Act To Create Economic Opportunity For The Wabanaki Nations. The House passed the bill 85–59, with 7 members abstaining or receiving an exemption. It is now moving through the Senate, where debates are still heated. Fairness, authority, and how online gaming is changing in the U.S. are all hot topics of conversation when it comes to gaming on the internet. A Win for Tribal Sovereignty LD 1164 is mainly about making sure that Maine's formally accepted groups, particularly the Wabanaki Nations, have real economic independence in the digital age. The bill creates a possible multimillion-dollar business for tribes that haven't been able to participate in many state economic projects in the past by giving the groups exclusive rights to online casino gaming. In her statement, Representative Ambureen Rana (D-21), the bill's leading supporter, stressed that the legislation is not just about gaming but also about giving the Wabanaki people the tools they need to become economically stable and independent in the long run. Several other lawmakers, such as Craig Hickman, Rachel Talbot Ross, and Eleanor Sato, supported the bill. William Nicholas of the Passamaquoddy Tribe wrote that the bill was "a turning point in how the state interacts with its tribal nations". At public meetings in March, representatives from the Maine Gambling Control Board and tribal leaders also supported the bill. Pushback From Commercial Operators Not all of them are content. Big players like FanDuel, DraftKings, and people from Maine's business casinos spoke out against the plan. They said that tribe dominance could make it harder for people to choose, which would hurt current players in the state's controlled betting market. According to Michael Ventre of FanDuel, excluding business operations could prevent new ideas from germinating and make it harder to make money. Meanwhile, businesses like the Oxford Casino and Hotel were concerned that tribe-run websites would overtake them in online sales. However, advocates of the bill say that secrecy is precisely what makes it work. "This is a rare opportunity to right historical wrongs," Rana noted. "It's not intended to take from others." Our goal is to give the tribes what they've always deserved. Divided Senate and Legislative Uncertainty Even though LD 1164 passed the House, it ran into trouble in the Senate. On June 13, a push to accept the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report failed by a vote of 17-17. Senator Pierce of Cumberland then placed the bill on hold, leaving its future uncertain until further review. The Senate has seen much back-and-forth with motions to reconsider, table, and even adjourn, showing how controversial the bill is. Currently, it's still uncertain, and both tribal advocates and commercial lobbyists are closely monitoring the situation. Online Community Reacts There were several responses from the online poker community to a Reddit post about the House vote, with most people supporting the action. Da_Animal19 wrote: Comment byu/Iloveunicornssss from discussion inpoker FourteenthCylon added: Comment byu/Iloveunicornssss from discussion inpoker 206sportguy chimed in: Comment byu/Iloveunicornssss from discussion inpoker Meanwhile, Trixter87 called for wider change: Comment byu/Iloveunicornssss from discussion inpoker Of course, not all were in agreement. 1amdegen offered a dissenting view: Comment byu/Iloveunicornssss from discussion inpoker What Comes Next? LD 1164 could change the Wabanaki Nations' economic future. If the bill passes the Senate and is signed into law, Maine will be one of the few states in the U.S. where tribes have full control over digital game sites. Other states could use the legislation as a blueprint. The next few days will be crucial. As the Senate considers what to do next, everyone in the gambling world and in tribal towns across the country will consider Maine. For now, the House has made its point clear: tribal states must be a part of the digital future.
