Maine legalises online casino gaming as Governor Mills signs LD 1164 into law

Maine has taken a significant step towards a regulated online casino market after Governor Janet Mills signed LD 1164 into law on 8 January 2026, according to a report from Next.io.

The legislation legalises online casino gaming in the state, paving the way for licensed operators to offer digital casino products to Maine residents. Next.io reports that the market is expected to go live between September and October 2026, giving regulators and prospective licensees several months to prepare for launch.

A growing list of regulated states

With the signing of LD 1164, Maine joins what Next.io describes as a small but growing list of US states that have established regulated online casino markets. The move places Maine among a select group of jurisdictions that have opted to bring online casino gaming under formal state oversight, following a trend that has slowly gathered pace across the country in recent years.

The signing of the bill by Governor Mills marks the formal legal foundation for the new market, though further regulatory steps are expected to follow before operators can begin offering services to consumers. The timeline outlined by Next.io suggests a gap of several months between the law taking effect and the anticipated go live period in the autumn of 2026, a window likely to be used for licensing, technical certification and other preparatory measures typical of newly regulated gambling markets.

Next.io’s report frames the development as part of a broader pattern of state level expansion in the US online casino sector, with Maine’s entry adding to the number of states that have moved beyond sports betting alone to permit full online casino verticals such as slots and table games.

What comes next

No further details on specific licensing timelines, tax rates or operator applications were included in the report. Next.io’s coverage focuses on the core facts of the signing and the expected launch window, positioning Maine’s move as a notable addition to the US online casino landscape ahead of its planned autumn 2026 debut.

Industry observers are likely to watch closely for further announcements from Maine’s regulatory authorities in the coming months as the state works towards implementation ahead of the September to October 2026 target.