A Bold Proposal Resurfaces in Maine
Lawmakers in Maine are once again debating the future of online casino gaming, and this time, tribal exclusivity is at the heart of the conversation. House Bill 1164, reintroduced this session, would give the state’s four federally recognized Wabanaki Nations exclusive rights to operate iGaming platforms. The bill comes on the heels of successful legislation in 2022 that gave the tribes control over online sports betting, and it marks a significant shift in how the state may approach digital gambling going forward.
But exclusivity comes with high stakes—and not everyone’s on board.
Why Exclusivity Matters
Supporters of HB 1164 see tribal exclusivity not as a power grab, but as a long-overdue opportunity for equity. Maine’s tribes have historically been locked out of the benefits enjoyed by tribal nations elsewhere in the U.S. due to the limitations of the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act. Unlike other tribes across the country, the Wabanaki don’t operate land-based casinos and lack full sovereignty over reservation lands.
Granting them exclusive iGaming rights would not only bring economic empowerment but also act as a counterbalance to years of exclusion. In a state where out-of-state corporations dominate gaming revenue, this bill would redirect digital gaming profits back to local tribal communities and into Maine’s economy.
The Opposition’s Point of View
However, the proposal is not without its critics. Detractors argue that exclusivity could hurt competition, drive job losses at commercial casinos like Oxford and Hollywood, and limit consumer choice. Their concern isn’t just theoretical—these operators currently employ hundreds of Mainers and are concerned about being left out of a rapidly growing vertical.
There’s also a question of balance. Can a healthy iGaming market exist when access is limited to only a handful of operators? Some worry it will send players to unregulated offshore sites in search of better promotions or broader game libraries, ultimately undermining the bill’s goals of protecting consumers and capturing tax revenue.
What’s Really at Stake
The discussion around HB 1164 isn’t just about gaming—it’s about justice, sovereignty, and who gets to shape the future of Maine’s digital economy. While there are valid economic concerns from non-tribal operators, the broader narrative is one of course correction. Tribal communities in Maine have faced decades of legal limitations that have kept them from building sustainable economic engines through gaming.
This bill represents a pivot toward inclusion—an acknowledgment that fairness sometimes requires exclusive access to level a historically tilted playing field.
Looking Ahead
If passed, HB 1164 would generate a 16% tax on tribal iGaming operations, support legal market expansion, and likely trigger compacts between the state and tribal nations. But perhaps more importantly, it could serve as a model for how other states with complex tribal histories can write a new chapter—one that balances economic opportunity with historical accountability.
Whether it becomes law or not, the proposal is forcing necessary conversations about equity, economic development, and the evolving role of tribal gaming in the digital era.
