Maine is joining seven other states in the iGaming market and will also be the ninth state to launch online poker either this year or next.
Chicago-based BetRivers is undeterred by the state’s small population and will likely make a bid to become one of the platforms offering at least online casino gambling in the Pine Tree State.
The More, the Merrier
Governor Janet Mills allowed LD 1164, the online casino gambling bill, to become law by letting it sit unsigned over the New Year. Her inaction triggered the birth of a new industry and a robust revenue stream to follow.
The four federally recognized Wabanaki tribes will have complete control of the industry, as they do with mobile sports betting. Each tribe will be entitled to partner with one online casino gaming platform, and right now, the leaders in the clubhouse are Caesars and DraftKings.
It would appear that each platform currently running the sports betting side of the business would be the clear favorite to become that tribe’s iGaming platform as well. And although that may be true, there is one competitor interested in shaking up the status quo.
BetRivers Wants In
Four iGaming platforms and four separate online poker rooms are now available, and BetRivers believes it has the wherewithal to operate both for one, two, three, or even all four of the tribes. Chicago-based BetRivers offers an integrated casino, sportsbook, and poker platform that it has seamlessly run in Delaware for multiple parties.
BetRivers has successfully worked with tribes in other states to operate their online casino gaming sites, and Sauers believes Maine would be a natural fit given that experience.
“We’ve been very successful there in other markets,” Sauers added. “Michigan and West Virginia are examples where we’ve had really solid success with iCasino with a very differentiated product and being a great partner for tribes where we haven’t lobbied against them, like some others have in certain markets. We’d love to bring that to Maine; it would be a great opportunity.”
BetRivers may have a better chance than usual, considering industry powerhouses FanDuel, BetMGM, and Fanatics all testified against the online casino gambling bill and its tribal exclusivity. The fact that only Caesars and DraftKings operate as mobile sports betting partners caused their rivals to speak out against iGaming as well.
Now that the bill has become law, the tribes will not be eager to welcome their foes back as potential partners in this yet-to-be-launched industry in the Pine Tree State.
