Maine Sports Betting - Best Legal Sportsbooks in Maine December 2024

Legal sports betting went live in Maine on Nov. 3, 2023, with DraftKings and Caesars Sportsbook both up and running now. 

We’ve got everything you need to know about Maine sports betting right here, including the legal stuff, how to get started with betting in Maine, reviews of the best sportsbooks, bonuses, and plenty more besides. 

How We Rated the Top Maine Sports Betting Sites

We believe there is only one way to review a sportsbook properly, and that is to sit down and put in the hours on the platform. Our team of reviewers has spent dozens of hours on both of the sportsbooks available right now in Maine. We want to leave no stone unturned when we write up our reviews, so we follow the same step-by-step process. 

Each of the factors below gets a minimum of two hours of attention from our team:

• User Experience - It’s not enough to simply sign up to a sportsbook, scroll around a little, and come to a conclusion. Our experts explore every corner of the site and its software, evaluating the ease of navigation, how beginner-friendly it is, and how pleasant the overall experience is. We test it out on laptops, tablets, and mobile devices to make sure the experience is consistent. 

• Features - We spend time with every individual feature on offer, including the different betting markets, betting tools like SGP builders, guides and explainer pages, and more.

• Promotions - We claim every single bonus and promo on offer, including the welcome bonus, on-running promos like bonus bets and odds boosts, the loyalty program, and more. We go deep on all the small print and terms and conditions attached to promos too. 

• Deposits and Withdrawals - Every single payment method for both deposits and withdrawals gets tested by our team. Our evaluation considers transaction speed, convenience, and processing fees. 

• Customer Support - Our team has a preselected set of questions that we use to test the support teams at every site we review. We consider things like accuracy, politeness, and speed of response. We also thoroughly explore the help section or FAQ section. If there is phone support available, we call.

• Responsible Gambling - Our favorite sportsbooks make responsible gambling a visible part of what they do, which means including links to resources for problem gamblers in Maine right on their homepage. We want to see tools for players to help manage their gambling too, including deposit limits, self-exclusion, and reality check.

Why You Should Trust Us

Our trustworthiness comes from two main sources: a genuine love for the world of sports betting among the whole team and decades of experience using online sportsbooks and betting sites. 

That wealth of experience is poured into every single review we undertake. We know what makes a sportsbook great, and we want to spread the word about the best sites to everyone else out there. Plus, we call out anything we don’t like about a sportsbook or bonus in plain language for our readers to understand.  

Closer Look at the Best Online Sportsbooks in Maine

1. Caesars Sportsbook

Best for: Rewards Club

Caesars Sportsbook is a modern, well-designed sportsbook and one of the biggest names in US gambling. If you’re a regular bettor on the lookout for an excellent reward program, it’s a natural choice in Maine and worth checking out. 

Caesars was the first to announce its gambling license in Maine, taking up three of the four licenses in the state in partnership with the Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, and Penobscot tribes. The sportsbook isn’t especially flashy or extravagant, which we like. Instead, it has a nice, clean aesthetic that makes it easy for all bettors to navigate and find their bets. 

New Caesars Sportsbook customers in Maine qualify for a $1,000 Cashback bonus on their first bet if it's unsuccessful. Apart from the welcome bonus, Caesars Sportsbook really stands out for its loyalty program, Caesars Rewards, which has a convincing claim to being the best in the country. Any time you gamble real money on the sportsbook or spend money in a Caesars in-person resort, you receive both Tier Credits and Reward Credits. You’ll get 1,000 of each to kick things off, too. 

You can cash in your credits for various sports betting bonuses or for benefits at real-life Caesars resorts - including restaurant vouchers and hotel stays. The higher you rise through the ranks, the better the benefits. 

Pros

• Industry-leading loyalty program

• $1,000 Second Chance offer

• Very well designed and easy-to-use platform

Cons

• No live chat

• On-running promos could be improved

You can read more in our in-depth Caesars Review.

• WSN rating: 4.3/5

• Sign-up offer: Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Bets with the code WSN1000

• App rating: 4.6/5 (iOS); 4.3/5 (Android)

2. DraftKings

Best for: Low deposit limits

DraftKings is an excellent sportsbook that is absolutely bursting with different features. If you want a user-friendly site with low deposit limits and lots of interesting ways to bet, look no further.

DraftKings jumped in at the 11th hour to claim the last betting license available in Maine as part of a partnership with the Passamaquoddy Tribe. As much as we’re fans of Caesars Sportsbook, we always like to see some competition and variety in the betting options, so this is a good development for Maine sports betting fans.

DraftKings is a really excellent all-rounder. The software is very well-designed and genuinely fun to use for both desktop and mobile sites, and the range of sports and betting markets is excellent. While it might not interest everyone, DraftKings also includes various interesting side features and sister sites, including Daily Fantasy Sports, pools, and even its own social platform for members. 

The welcome bonus is one of the best, with up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets available if your first bet loses. DraftKings' $5 minimum deposit is almost unique among US sportsbooks, making DraftKings an excellent choice for small stakes and casual bettors. 

Pros

• $1,000 Safety Net Bet

• $5 minimum deposit is very user friendly 

• Well-designed mobile app

Cons

• No human live chat support

• Quite a busy platform, which might be overwhelming for some

Check out our full DraftKings review for even more information.

• WSN rating: 4.8/5

• Sign-up offer: Get a No Sweat First Bet up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets

• App rating: 4.8/5 (iOS); 4.6/5 (Android)

Full List of Legal Sportsbooks in Maine

Maine has just two legal online sportsbooks:

1. Caesars Sportsbook

2. DraftKings Sportsbook

Maine Online Sports Betting Sites

Maine Retail Sportsbooks 

No retail sportsbooks have opened in Maine yet. BetMGM has announced its plans to open two in-person books sometime in 2023. 

Is Sports Betting Legal in Maine?

Yes, sports betting is legal in Maine. There are just two online sportsbooks to choose from in Maine, Caesars Sportsbooks and DraftKings, both of which went live after legal betting officially launched on Nov. 3, 2023.

Sports betting laws in Maine allow for just four online sports betting licenses, one for each of the federally recognized tribes in the state. Three of them have signed deals with Caesars, while the other has come to an agreement with DraftKings. However, the laws allow for up to 10 retail sportsbooks, and BetMGM has already signaled its intention to open two retail books in Maine in 2023. Neither Caesars nor DraftKings have launched a retail sportsbook.

How to Get Started

Signing up and starting to bet at a Maine sportsbook is very straightforward. Both Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings are required by the Maine Gambling Control Unit to verify the identity of their users, so the registration process is similar for both books.

Here’s our guide to start betting in Maine from scratch.

1. Create your account: To do this, you’ll need to provide various pieces of personal information, including your name, date of birth, email address, phone number, address, and SSN. You’ll also have to create a unique password to access your account and agree to the terms and conditions of your chosen sportsbook. Follow all the instructions and confirm your data to create your account. 

2. Verify your identity: Depending on the info you provide, you might have to send additional documentation to confirm your identity, like a copy of your passport or driver's license. This is part of the sportsbook’s legal obligation to the state. 

3. Get your Welcome Bonus: At the top of this page, we’ve mentioned the different bonuses available at Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings. Make sure you follow the instructions so you don’t miss out and start with the best possible offer. Some sportsbooks require you to type in a Promo Code to unlock your bonus, and you can use the code WSN1000 to unlock your Caesars Sportsbook bonus.

4. Deposit some money: Both Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings offer a wide range of payment methods, including bank cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, prepaid cards, and cash deposits. Choose the method that works for you and top up your betting account. 

5. Place your bets: You can browse the list of sports to find your favorite betting markets. When you’ve selected your bet, click the button to add it to the digital betslip. Here, you can tinker around with it until you’re ready to confirm. 

Maine Sportsbook Promos

Sign-up offers are how sportsbooks try to entice new bettors to sign up. They are normally the most valuable promotions out there, and they come in different shapes and sizes. Check out some of the different types of offers you can find below:

Deposit Bonuses

With a deposit bonus, the sportsbook matches your first deposit with some bonus money up to a certain limit. Usually, you’ll find 100% deposit bonuses, meaning you basically get to double your bankroll. 

As with all the bonuses in this section, there are terms and conditions attached to this bonus. For one thing, the sportsbook won’t actually give you free cash. Instead, your deposit will be matched with site credit or bonus bets, which can only be used to bet and can’t be withdrawn. There may also be wagering requirements and time limits attached to this offer.

Bonus Bet

A bonus bet is basically a betting voucher. Normally, the sportsbook gives you some bonus bets in exchange for creating your account, depositing some money, and placing your first bet.

When you win with a bonus bet, you only receive the winnings and not the value of the bonus bet in your return.

No Deposit Bonus

This is any type of offer that is totally free, with no need to use any of your own money upfront. Usually, a sportsbook will give you a small-ish bonus bet of around $10 or $20 in exchange for simply creating an account. There are normal restrictions in place for how you can withdraw your winnings, and you might need to make a deposit down the line before you can access the money.

Still, No Deposit Bonuses are a great way to try out a new site with absolutely no financial risk. 

Second Chance Bet

In this case, you just need to sign up and place your first bet. If it loses, the sportsbook refunds it in full up to a certain value. You won’t be able to withdraw your refund without using it to bet first. DraftKings and Caesars Sportsbooks have second chance offers worth up to $1,000 for new customers, just don't forget to use our exclusive promo code WSN1000 for Caesars.

What Mobile Sportsbooks Are Available in Maine?

There are two mobile sportsbooks available in Maine, DraftKings and Caesars Sportsbook.

Maine is shaping up to be one of the smaller sports betting markets in the US, with the currency laws allowing for a possible total of four different online sportsbooks. Caesars has claimed three of the licenses and DraftKings has the remaining one, meaning bettors in the Pine Tree State can choose between one or the other. 

Both sportsbooks have excellent mobile apps, which you can download now.

1. DraftKings - 4.8/5 (iOS); 4.6/5 (Android)

2. Caesars Sportsbook - 4.6/5 (iOS); 4.3/5 (Android)

What Betting Markets Are Available in Maine?

Despite only having two online sportsbooks to choose from, there are excellent and varied betting markets available in Maine. Both Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings are at the cutting edge of the sports betting industry in the US, with tons of ways to bet on a wide variety of sports. 

Check out some of the most popular ways to bet below.

Moneylines

A moneyline bet is a straightforward bet on the winner of a game. The payout is determined by the odds, which the sportsbook assigns to each side according to their likelihood of winning. Here’s an example:

• Indianapolis Colts (-160)

• New England Patriots (+140)

The team with negative odds is the favorite, while the one with positive odds is the underdog. In this case, the Patriots’ odds of +140 mean that a $100 bet would win $140, for a total payout of $240. With the Colts, odds of -160 mean that you would need to bet $160 to get a $100 profit, for a total payout of $260.

Point Spreads

With a point-spread bet, you aren’t simply betting on the winner or loser, but rather the margin of victory. The sportsbook sets a spread of points according to which team is favored, a little like a headstart for the underdog or a handicap for the favorite.

Here’s an example:

• Indianapolis Colts +3.5 (-110)

• New England Patriots -3.5 (-110)

To win your bet, the team simply needs to cover the spread, which in this case is 3.5 points. If you bet on the Colts, they need to win by 4 points or more for you to win your bet. If you bet on the Patriots, they just need to avoid losing by 4, and a 2 or 3 point loss would be enough for you to win your bet. 

The odds on point spreads usually start at around -110.

Totals

A totals bet lets you bet on the total number of points scored in a game. The sportsbook sets a line for the total number of points scored, and you can either bet on the Over or Under of that total. The odds for both normally start around -110. Here’s how it might look:

Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots 

• Over 45 (-110)

• Under 45 (-110)

Prop Bets

Props are bets on specific outcomes in games. They are normally divided into two categories: team props and player props. Team props cover things like layups in the NBA, tackles and sacks in the NFL, and yellow and red cards in soccer. There are also game props, like betting on whether there will be overtime or not.

Here’s how a prop market might look:

LeBron James Total Points

• Over 25.5 (-110)

• Under 25.5 (-110)

Parlays

A parlay is a combination bet. You place different bets together on the same betslip, and in order to win your parlay, each individual leg must be correct. The odds of each individual bet are multiplied together, so the payouts can get pretty attractive as you add more selections. 

Same-Game Parlays are a variation where all the selections are from the same game. For instance, you might bet on the Lakers to win, LeBron to score 20 points or more and more than 240 points to be scored in total. 

Futures

Futures, as the name suggests, are bets on events that happen in the future rather than on a single game. Betting on the overall winner of a competition is the most common type of future, like picking the winner of the Super Bowl or Stanley Cup. People often place futures at the start of the season or competition, but they are also available throughout the season.

Live Betting

Live betting is betting on games or sports as they happen. The odds are changing all the time, depending on how the game is going. 

Many people prefer to use mobile apps to bet live since they are more versatile than having to use a laptop, and both DraftKings and Caesars have great live betting sections on their mobile apps. 

What Can’t You Bet On in Maine?

Maine sports betting has the following restrictions:

• Betting on college sports is legal, but you can’t bet on any games involving colleges from Maine.

• Betting on politics is not legal.

• Entertainment and award ceremonies like the Academy Awards cannot be bet on.

• Betting on eSports is not legal.

• Maine is restricted to a total of four online sports betting licenses, and all have been taken up: three by Caesars and one by DraftKings.

Betting on College Sports in Maine

Yes, betting on college sports is legal in Maine. However, you cannot bet on any games involving in-state teams, only colleges from other states. 

Maine Sports Betting Facts

How Does Maine Online Sports Betting Compare to Other States?

Maine’s online sports betting industry looks set to be on the smaller side, compared with some of the top sports betting US states. This is largely down to the specifics of Maine’s sports betting bill and two main factors:

• The laws allow for a total of just four online sportsbook licenses in the state, with a single skin allowed for each of the four recognized tribes.

• The laws allow for up to ten retail sportsbooks in the state, at casinos, commercial tracks, and certain designated off-track locations.

Many other states have elected for much more wide-ranging sports betting laws, which allow for a greater variety of online sportsbooks. New Jersey, for instance, has 16 online sportsbooks in the state, and 12 retail books at state racetracks and casinos. In contrast, Maine is already at its online capacity with just DraftKings and Caesars Sportsbooks (thanks to Caesars claiming 3 of the 4 available licenses), and is yet to see the launch of any retail books.

Another interesting comparison is West Virginia, a state with a relatively similar population to Maine at around 1.8 million compared with Maine’s 1.4 million. West Virginia’s sports betting laws allow for up to 15 online sportsbooks, with nine currently available in the state. You can also bet on eSports, which is not allowed in Maine. 

In 2022, West Virginia handled a total of $568.9M in sports bets. It’s early days, so we don’t have the corresponding figures for Maine yet, with sports betting only launching in Nov. 2023. Still, given West Virginia’s comparatively more liberal laws, we might reasonably expect Maine to struggle to match that figure in the short term. 

History of Maine Sports Betting

Check out our timeline for how Maine finally legalized sports betting and the latest developments in the world of gambling in Maine.

• Feb 14. 2024 - Maine's sports betting reached record high revenues in January despite handle being lowest since launch.

• Jan. 23, 2024 - Due to unresolved licensing issues, Maine sports betting could be put on hold in November 2024.

• Jan. 8, 2024 - Maine legislators are aiming to legalize iGaming early in 2024 to follow the existing legal online sports betting market.

• Dec. 5, 2023 - According to MGCU, after one month of legal sports betting in Maine, the state's handle reached $37.6 million. The state received over $450,000 in taxes, while the operators earned $4.8 million in revenue.

• Nov. 9, 2023 - Maine sports betting handle exceeded $4 million in the first five days since sports betting was legalized. The state received over $1 million in revenue.

• Nov. 3, 2023 - Both Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings go live in Maine on the first official day of legal sports betting. 

• October 2023 - Caesars Sportsbooks agrees on a deal with the Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, and Penobscot tribes. DraftKings takes the remaining license through a deal with the Passamaquoddy Tribe.

• July 2023 - The Gambling Control Unit intends to award temporary licenses and launch the new industry in November 2023. 

• Jan. 11, 2023 - The Gambling Control Unit publishes Maine’s proposed new sports betting rules.

• Aug. 2, 2022 - The Maine Gambling Control Unit indicates that Maine sports betting may not launch until 2024.

Is Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in Maine?

Yes, DFS is legal and available in Maine, and has been since 2017. DraftKings DFS, FanDuel DFS, and Yahoo are all available to residents of the Pine Tree State. 

Sports Teams in Maine

Although sports are popular in Maine, the state does not currently boast any major league teams. However, Maine does have several minor league teams that enjoy a lot of support, with some fans extending their allegiance to their affiliated major league teams from other states. Here’s an overview:

• The Portland Sea Dogs  - The Seas Dogs are a Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, an affiliation that began in 2003. They won their only ever league title just three years later, in 2006. 

• Maine Celtics - previously known as the Red Claws. The Maine Celtics changed their name in 2021 to reflect their affiliation with their parent company, the Boston Celtics. They play in the NBA G League and won three Division titles in a row from 2015 to 2017. 

• Maine Mariners - the Mariners are a young minor league hockey team that began playing in the ECHL in 2018. 

Maine Sportsbook Partnerships

It’s early days for the Maine sports betting industry, and so far, there have been no sponsorships or agreements between any sportsbooks and pro sports teams in the state. The lack of major league franchises in Maine is likely to prove a hindrance to any future agreements too. 

Getting Help: Responsible Gambling in Maine

Sports betting in Maine is regulated by the Maine Gambling Control Unit, and part of their remit is to protect gamblers in the state. You can find a Problem Gambling section on their website, with lots of useful information and links to external support organizations. 

The Educational Institute of Maine is another great resource and runs the Maine self-exclusion program. You can contact them in a number of ways:

• Calling 211

• Texting your zip code to 898-211

• Email at [email protected]

The sportsbooks themselves are also committed to responsible gambling in Maine. Both Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings have their own self-exclusion programs, as well as the option for a shorter cool-off period and deposit limits to help manage your finances.