Maine Gambling Laws & Statutes

The ground of gambling praxis in society is constantly shifting. There was once a time when all forms of gambling were legal. As the early colonies established themselves, the frontier spirit enhanced the appeal of wagering on contests, primitive table games, and more. Exploration and gambling both depend on risk taking, opportunism, and curiosity. It is heedless then, that many forms of wagering are tough to find. There are many online gambling sites that are legal for Maine residents to use, and we will explore why these sites are safe.

This site will examine the gambling laws in Maine. We will include the federal laws, as well as the state laws, and show players why it is safe to play at any of the legal gambling sites for Maine players. The legal language can seem like a labyrinthine nightmare out of Dante’s hell, but we will pare it down to easy to read chunks.

Important State Gambling Laws in Maine

Maine gambling laws do not possess a single statute that prevents players from using online gambling sites. The state is lenient, and understands that wagering is a profitable, fun, and harmless pastime when done at legitimate establishments. Players are well within their rights to use the legal Maine online gambling sites. There is also a land-based casino in Bangor, for some social fun. We will look now at a few of the section that relate to the average player.

Section 952 - This section lists definitions of certain legal terms. “Advancing gambling activity,” means acting as someone other than a player in a place where gambling takes place. This means that setting up a gambling venue, collecting a house-take, or buying/selling gambling machines is taboo. As long as you are playing in a legitimate establishment, you are fine.

Section 952-4 - This defines gambling as risking something of value on a contest of chance. This is the usual way the term looks in most states. Unlawful gambling includes intentionally profiting from an unlicensed establishment, or gambling under the age of 21. This last stipulation is the only part that affects average players. Make sure you are over 21 when signing up at a legal gambling site for Maine residents.

Section 954-3 - This section states that a person convicted of an unlawful gambling violation must forfeit their winnings to the state. Players using any of the legal Maine online gambling sites do not need to worry about this section. It just adds further reason to avoid using underground gambling venues, as your money is subject to seizure.

Section 952-9 - This section pertains to profiting from gambling activity. To run afoul of the statute, one has to receive money from gambling as someone other than a player. This targets bookies and owners of independent wagering venues, and has no effect on the casual bettor.

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Federal Laws Affecting Gambling & Online Gambling In Maine

Wire Act – The Wire Act of 2006 has no impact on the average gambler in Maine, but its place in history is important. During the early 20th century, organized crime was squeezing the life out of the gambling industry, and committing heinous crimes. The Wire Act criminalizes the use of wire communication devices involved with gambling. This cut off one of the mobs main implements used in racketeering. The Wire Act greatly reduced the amount of criminal activity relating to gambling.

PASPA – The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 only targets sports betting, and has no effect on the average citizen using one of the legal Maine sports betting sites. The PASPA only restricts land-based sports betting in every state except Delaware, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon. Maine residents are left with the option of finding a nefarious bookie, or using a safe online sportsbook. The decision is a no-brainer.

UIGEA – This is the law that confuses many untrained readers because it directly affects online gambling. The UIGEA does not say anywhere that legal online gambling sites for Maine citizens, or anyone else, are restricted. These sites reside overseas, in places like Canada and the Republic of Panama, and millions of players frequent them every day. The UIGEA only requires that the sites do not operate within Americas borders.

Legal Maine Gambling Age

Legal gambling ages do not vary that much from state to state, and Maine is no exception. Players must be 21 to wager. Many of the legal gambling sites that accept Maine residents only require members to be 18. You must remember to follow the state gambling age, not the website age. It is important to distinguish between the two, because you don’t want something as easily avoidable as underage gambling to get in your way.

Online Gambling In Maine...What's The Verdict?

There are a plenitude of sites offering legal gambling for Maine residents sites for residents out there. Check out our individual review pages to see which ones deliver the safest experiences. There is a land-based casino in Bangor called the Hollywood Casino Hotel, which offers poker, slots, table games, and a half-mile long buffet sure to fill the hungriest guts. Maine residents have a lot to choose from, so blow on those dice, and ante up.

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