Folks all across the country love getting into the action of a poker game or a hand of blackjack, but not everyone is capable of hopping in the car and taking the journey to the nearest casino. This fact proves true for those in the state of Maine as well with only a few land-based betting facilities available to locals. Luckily, the internet provides virtually every form of gambling under the sun and if users follow a few simple rules, they may visit such legal gambling sites that accept Maine residents to win real money all under the rule of law. We have dedicated this page to all those in the Pine Tree State looking to find a big jackpot safely and legally.
The federal policy on sports betting is a little more restrictive than on other forms of gambling such as online casinos and online poker. While the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) still bars financial transactions over the internet by a domestically located gambling site, the Federal Wire Act and the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) hold a weight over the endeavors of sites facilitating sports bets. In fact, the PASPA prohibits all forms of regulated sports betting in the United States outside of exempt locations such as Las Vegas but sports fans are still able to place a bet under its rule. The Act only targets the business of sports betting and not the participants. Again, as is the case with the other federal laws, this does not apply to a legal online sportsbook for Maine residents located outside of the country.
Since the federal laws on sports betting are unwavering, there are no states able to get around the sweeping effects of PASPA, though many have tried. Maine is not among the exempt states and is therefore unable to pass any local policies that would allow for licensed sportsbooks operating within the area both physically and online. This is not entirely bad news however, as there is no legislation whatsoever for online sportsbooks, the federal loophole for online casinos and online poker still exists for legal online sportsbooks for Maine residents as well. Any sports betting site that is outside of federal regulations is operating legally and available for use by any resident of the Pine Tree State.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) is the most influential law on online casinos as this Act prohibits any monetary transaction over the internet by an online gambling site located within the United States. While this law does little to hurt any player wishing to play an online game of blackjack, it makes it difficult to find a venue that is able to facilitate wagers on games of skill or chance. Fortunately, as this act only targets the business of gambling in the U.S., casual players are still able to play for real money on any site that is located outside of the UIGEA’s jurisdiction.
Although the federal policy on online gambling is clear, the local policies in Maine are not as precise. Some anti-gambling measures are on the books however they follow closely with the federal template in place that only targets the facilitation of bets and not the mere act of placing one. The state of Maine also does not provide any mention of the internet within its constitution, which means that online gambling remains unregulated. Players in the Pine Tree State have a wide open door in front of them for playing on any legal online casino for Maine players located outside of the United States, on both the federal and local level.
The same federal laws that affect online casinos also have a major influence over online poker. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) prevents any domestic online poker room from issuing or accepting financial transactions over the internet if located within U.S. territories. The act of placing a bet in an online poker room remains legal even though the venues to do so are slightly more difficult to find due to the effects of the UIGEA. The simple way around this dilemma is only to visit online poker sites that are located beyond the reaches of federal regulation and therefore rendering them legal for use. Any U.S. poker player is capable of playing a hand of online Texas Hold ‘Em for real money over the internet if complying with this simple condition.
The UIGEA is not entirely overreaching as any state has the ability to enact its own online betting restrictions or allowances. Maine is one such state that has provided detailed poker laws within its state constitution however makes no mention of the internet. With no regulation of online poker in any way by local laws, poker players in the region are free to follow the guidelines in place by the federal government. This means, as stated above, that any legal online poker rooms accepting Maine players located outside of the United States is capable of hosting legal games for anyone in the Pine Tree State as well as providing legitimate payouts issued to any address in the area.
Since we now know that any site located outside of the United States is legal for use, the green light is on for anyone in the state of Maine venturing out to place his or her already legal bets in accordance with both federal and state laws. Many of these sites are located as close as Canada and provide exemplary services specifically for American users with those in Maine included. We have provided below one of our favorite gambling sites that is safe and the best for legal Maine gambling that provides betting action through every medium.
The fine folks at Bovada.lv have been in business for over a decade while legally operating from their home in neighboring Canada. This online gambling site even began as the American company ‘bodog’ only having to move after changing federal laws in order to remain continuing service to local users. With the very best in secure financial transactions, privacy and customer support, Bovada.lv has folks in the Pine Tree State holding their winnings in hand within days.
With every major form of gambling at this fantastic betting site, users can take advantage of its famous online casino, its expansive poker room or its unrivaled sportsbook. With endorsements from notable companies such as USA Today and ESPN, this online gambling hub serves as the center for all legal bets placed by millions of Americans whether it is a hand of Texas Hold ‘Em or a wager on who will win the Super Bowl. New users who take the leap to become fully-fledged members are able to reap great welcome bonuses that can be worth thousands of dollars to wager through the site’s many betting options