In December, Maine recorded a total sports betting handle of $44.5 million, reflecting an 18.4% increase from the $37.6 million wagered in November, which was the state’s inaugural month of legal betting. The regulated sports betting market in Maine officially began on November 3, 2023, making December its first full month of operation.
From the December betting activity, players won $39.9 million. After accounting for these winnings and deducting $107,478 in federal excise tax along with $132,376 from voided and cancelled bets, the adjusted gross receipts amounted to $4.4 million. This figure represents a 4.4% decrease from the $4.6 million reported in the initial month of legal betting.
The Maine Gambling Control Unit indicated that the state benefited with $437,884 in tax revenue from legal sports betting, with both DraftKings and Caesars contributing a tax rate of 10% on adjusted gross receipts.
DraftKings emerged as the more prominent operator, generating $4.1 million in adjusted gross receipts from a total of $35.4 million in bets during December. Bettors using DraftKings won $31.1 million, and the operator remitted $85,129 in federal excise tax and $410,969 in other taxes.
In contrast, Caesars reported adjusted gross receipts of $269,154 from a handle of $9.1 million. Player winnings in December totalled $8.8 million through Caesars, which paid $22,349 in federal excise tax and another $26,915 in additional taxes.
DraftKings operates in partnership with the Passamaquoddy Tribe, while Caesars collaborates with three Wabanaki nations: the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Mi’kmaq Nation, and the Penobscot Nation. Legislation known as Bill LD 585, signed by Governor Janet Mills in May 2022, permits both retail and online sports wagering, with online operations limited to approved tribes in the state. These tribes can apply for licenses to manage online betting and may partner with a single online operator each.
