Maine’s betting industry left uncertain in the hands of Governor Mills

By John Isaac,
Editor at online-gambling.com

John Isaac Editor at online-gambling.com

John Isaac is an editor with many years of experience in the gambling industry. He writes expert articles on card games like blackjack and poker. In addition, he is also well aware of the US gambling laws and the Indian and Dutch gambling markets. You can rely on verified information and insightful details.

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Last updated: August 12, 2019

The long-anticipated legislation on sport betting bill in the country of Maine has been adjourned for one more year, i.e. 2020.

Janet Mills, the governor of Maine could have signed the sports betting bill into law- authorizing land-based, online, and mobile sportsbooks across the state – but instead chose not to sign or veto the legislation, successfully putting it on hold.

Under these conditions the bill passes into the so called “pocket veto”, which by the U.S. Senate is described as a legislative maneuver that allows a president or other official with veto power to exercise that power over a bill by taking no action.

The “Pocket Veto”

Welcome to Maine © Pixabay stock photo

This act leaves Mainers in uncertainty about the future of the betting industry, unless a special session is called upon. If the session lasts up to four days, the governor should file a traditional veto resulting in overthrowing it by the members of the Senate. 24 Senators will be needed to support the sports betting. If the 24 votes cannot be obtained during the summer session – or if the legislative session doesn’t last for at least four days – the bill will have to be reinstated in the future, which won’t be before 2020. The governor, Janet Mills had this to say on the matter:

“In order to meet that responsibility, I will continue to review these bills and gather more information, and I look forward to acting on them at the beginning of the next legislative session.”

Most observers hoped that it was very much likely that Mills would sign the bill. Regardless of her refusal to affix her timely signature to it at present, most believe that she will not take the drastic step of vetoing it the next time the Maine Legislature meets.

Sam Storm, a member of the House of Representatives said the following for Legal Sports report, “It’s disappointing to hear, she signed the recreational marijuana law but she wouldn’t sign this. I’m a little shocked. I’ll just keep playing fantasy sports. That’s legal, and it’s not a whole lot different if you ask me.” According to the state officials the governor does not want her name affixed to a gambling expansion in the state of Maine.

What is The Sport Betting Situation in Other States?

Comparing to the neighboring countries Maine’s sports betting development leaves behind. Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and West Virginia all have legislated the gaming bill and have developed and advanced into another level. New Hampshire just like Maine has the bill аwaiting for the governor’s signature. If the governor signs the bill any time soon Maine will be the 15th country to pride itself with the acquirement of the betting bill even though for now its position stands highly unclear.

Although in a state of waiting, the residents of Maine can still bet their wagers via offshore betting sites since they are placed outside the states authority where you don’t have to worry about breaking any laws.

Maine is not a very sport-concentrated state which means that there are no professional or college teams to bet on. Nevertheless, Portland’s location puts them in close juxtaposition to several other successful professional and college teams. Whichever the case, you can find betting lines offered throughout the year for all teams in the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and NCAA.

Even though the implementation of the betting bill is delayed, Mainers can at least enjoy having two casinos, one in Oxford and the other in Bangor. Another sport they can take part in is the Harness racing which entails a two-wheeled cart known as a sulky pulled by Standardbred trotting or pacing for a mile.