Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Maine?

The law: LD 2007 (Public Law, Chapter 645)

Signed by Governor Janet Mills on April 6, 2026, LD 2007 - "An Act Regarding the Prohibition of Online Sweepstakes Games" - created a new chapter of Maine law (8 M.R.S. ch. 39) that specifically defines and prohibits the dual-currency structure (Gold Coins alongside a second currency redeemable for cash or a cash-equivalent prize) our guide to how the model works describes. The law also amended Maine's existing criminal gambling statute (17-A M.R.S. §954) to classify operating, promoting, or supporting one of these platforms as unlawful gambling.

Before the law passed, the Maine Gambling Control Unit had already publicly stated in 2025 that it considered sweepstakes casinos illegal under existing law - LD 2007 formalized that position into a dedicated statute.

Penalties

Civil fines range from $10,000 to $100,000 per violation, with mandatory revocation of any existing gambling license and ineligibility for future licensing. Fines collected flow into Maine's Gambling Addiction Prevention and Treatment Fund.

What this means for you

By the law's effective date in mid-2026, major sweepstakes casino groups had already ended Sweeps Coin play for Maine residents. If you're in Maine, expect every legitimate operator to block your access - a site that doesn't is not offering you a loophole worth the risk.

Compiled from public reporting as of October 2026. Laws and enforcement can change - this is general information, not legal advice. If you have questions about your own situation, consult a licensed attorney.