Table of Contents
Maine Online Gambling in 2024
-
Shawn West
- July 11, 2024
Maine has taken steps to become more gambling-friendly over time, although there’s still a way to go.
It’s legal to bet on horse races, in person and online, and the state’s sports betting market went live on November 3rd, 2023. So all of that is good news for Maine residents looking to place a wager.
It’s not all a rosy picture, however, as it’s not possible to find online casino gaming or online poker at any companies or websites based in the state.
That leaves you two options: One is to go to Connecticut or some of the other more gambling-friendly states in the New England area. The other is to use online betting sites that serve Maine residents but are located offshore. That puts them outside the jurisdiction of Maine state law and the U.S. Federal code related to gambling. It means they can offer online gambling on sports, online horse betting, casino gaming and poker, among other things.
Of course, you may not feel entirely comfortable sending money to an offshore gambling site. That’s an understandable and reasonable concern. That’s why we’ve asked our panel of experts to help you out. They’ve evaluated more than 100 offshore gambling sites on a variety of factors. They weighed the pros and cons of each site and ranked the 10 best online gambling sites available to Maine residents.
In addition to our top 10 offshore gambling sites, we also show you our notes, with in-depth evaluations explaining what we like about each one. We’ll also look at the history of gambling law in Maine—how they got to their current status, and what, if anything, might change going forward.
The Best Maine Sportsbooks in 2024
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SPORTSBOOK
|
TRUST SCORE
|
ONLINE SINCE
1996
|
Expert Review
Read Review
|
BONUS
$500 Cash Bonus
|
CLAIM BONUS
CLAIM BONUS
|
|
SPORTSBOOK
|
TRUST SCORE
|
ONLINE SINCE
2001
|
Expert Review
Read Review
|
BONUS
20% Cash Bonus
|
CLAIM BONUS
CLAIM BONUS
|
|
SPORTSBOOK
|
TRUST SCORE
|
ONLINE SINCE
2002
|
Expert Review
Read Review
|
BONUS
30% Cash Bonus
|
CLAIM BONUS
CLAIM BONUS
|
|
SPORTSBOOK
|
TRUST SCORE
|
ONLINE SINCE
2001
|
Expert Review
Read Review
|
BONUS
$250 Free Bet
|
CLAIM BONUS
CLAIM BONUS
|
|
SPORTSBOOK
|
TRUST SCORE
|
ONLINE SINCE
1996
|
Expert Review
Read Review
|
BONUS
100% Cash Bonus
|
CLAIM BONUS
CLAIM BONUS
|
|
SPORTSBOOK
|
TRUST SCORE
|
ONLINE SINCE
2011
|
Expert Review
Read Review
|
BONUS
$750 Cash Bonus
|
CLAIM BONUS
CLAIM BONUS
|
Table of Contents
Best Maine Online Gambling Sites
These are the 10 best online betting sites available in Maine, ranked by our expert panel. Each of these sites has a pristine reputation with years of safe, fair and reliable operation. They also provide an outstanding gambling experience. They offer teasers, props and live betting on sports, as well as casino games, live dealer games, poker and racebooks.
- BookMaker – Maine’s top overall online gambling site
- Bovada – The most markets and options for gambling
- BetOnline – The quickest payouts in Maine
- Heritage Sports – Best for live betting on sports
- BetAnySports – Top value of Maine’s sportsbook options
- JustBet – A hidden gem as good as the top sites
- BetUS – Offers the largest bonuses
- WagerWeb – A long reputation for stability and reliability
- Everygame – Worldwide menu of sports and events
- SportsBetting.ag – Offers weekly bonuses
Each of the sites in our top 10 is based offshore. That means they are outside the jurisdiction of Maine state law and U.S. Federal law related to gambling, so they can offer options that providers based in Maine are unable to make available to customers, such as online casinos and poker rooms.
The Best Maine Sportsbooks Reviewed
We’re confident that you can’t go wrong with any of the top 10 sites for Maine bettors in our rankings. However, their places in the top 10 are based on the opinion of our panel of gambling experts. While they certainly know their stuff, what they think is important may not match your gambling preferences, so we’ve made available their detailed evaluations of each site in the top 10, so you can decide which one is the best match for you.
1. Top Overall Online Gambling Site in ME: BookMaker
Key Features
- Something to offer all gamblers, regardless of experience and risk tolerance
- Lines and odds are earliest to post
- High betting limits, low minimum bets
Bookmaker.eu finished at the top of our expert panel’s rankings of the best all-around online gambling sites in Maine. The site has something to offer everyone and has a diverse group of customers as a result. Newcomers and professionals will both find something to like at BookMaker, as will bankrolls and risk tolerances of all sizes.
BookMaker is one of the first sportsbooks to post odds and lines, so professionals won’t be waiting around all morning to get their money down. It also has the highest betting limits, which appeal to risk-takers and high rollers.
More inexperienced or conservative gamblers won’t feel left out, however. BookMaker has low minimum bets as well, so cautious newcomers can ease their way in. They also have a free casino to let rookies learn how to play various casino games before risking money. The site is easy to navigate and user-friendly.
BookMaker’s promos include flexible welcome bonuses and an elite loyalty program, plus, the site has a large online casino and racebook, in addition to the sportsbook.
2. Biggest Variety of Betting Options: Bovada
Key Features
- More prop bet markets than any other site
- Outstanding online casino
Bovada is an immensely popular gambling site that earned the No. 2 spot in our rankings. It offers a full-casino gambling experience, with a wide range of betting options and a slick, smooth user interface.
No other site offers more different ways to bet, with a wide variety of markets, and in every area, Bovada ranks among the best in the state. This includes Bovada’s racebook, sportsbook, online casino games and a poker room that is the busiest one in the United States.
Bovada’s sportsbook has the largest menu of prop betting options in Maine, and they also take suggestions for props if you have one you’d like to bet that isn’t currently offered. Bovada also offers a variety of extremely low-risk bets to help get you started with a few easy wins. In addition to sports, you can bet several novelty betting markets, including politics, entertainment, religion and virtual racing.
Using your phone or tablet isn’t a problem, since Bovada’s fully optimized mobile betting platform is just as good as the main site and was the choice of our experts for the best mobile betting experience in the state.
Bovada’s welcome bonuses are generous, but they do have higher rollover requirements compared to other online betting sites on this list. The promo codes at Bovada are also top-notch.
3. Quickest Payouts in Maine: BetOnline
Key Features
- Most gambler-friendly lines and odds
- The state’s fastest payouts
BetOnline placed third in our top 10, and, like the sites above it, it has a wide variety of strengths that appeal to all levels of gamblers. BetOnline features high limits, great bonuses and some of the state’s most gambler-friendly betting odds. That includes opinionated lines at the sportsbook, which gives savvy bettors the chance to cash in with some extra money in their pocket. There are also a number of promo codes at BetOnline that users can take advantage of. BetOnline has a friendly user interface which makes it easy for new and experienced customers to navigate.
Outside of sports, gamblers can get action on a selection of novelty betting markets, including politics, show biz award shows and more. They can also take advantage of the online casino and the third busiest poker room in America.
Our expert panel cited BetOnline for paying out faster than any other site in Maine, as there are no hoops to jump through or needless delays. It’s a simple process that gets you your money, in full, without any extra fees.
BetOnline is just as easy to use on a mobile device as on a computer, thanks to a polished mobile interface with all the same functionality as the full-blown site. They also have a top-notch customer service department with short hold times.
4. Great for Live Gambling in ME: Heritage Sports
Key Features
- Best live betting site in Maine
- Offers cashback rebate loyalty program
Heritage Sports was the choice of our blue ribbon panel for the best red carpet treatment of customers. All gamblers can expect VIP service from the site that began its days as an invite-only gambling location for elites. Now, anyone can join, but the site still prides itself on pampering its members. Heritage Sports offers outstanding customer service, cashback rebates and a wide variety of welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions.
Heritage has sports in its name, and its sportsbook is one of the best in Maine. But they also offer a racebook and online casino. In addition to a wide variety of games, including a huge selection of video slots, there is also a live dealer area. Heritage Sports is also one of the first sites to offer betting lines on esports. There are also novelty betting markets for entertainment and religious betting (such as odds on the next pope).
Heritage Sports was one of the first sites to offer the chance to bet on games that are in progress, and it’s still our experts’ choice for the top live betting interface in the state. It also has a mobile site that allows you to quickly and efficiently place bets on your mobile device. Finally, Heritage Sports also features a wide range of ongoing promotions to their customers.
5. Lowest House Edge in ME: BetAnySports
Key Features
- Online casino has one of the biggest menus of games
- Reduced juice and favorable lines make it the best-value sportsbook
- Also has a racebook and lottery section
BetAnySports is the latest site to receive a grade of A+ from our team of experts. They decided to elevate it from its previous A grade to the highest level possible, thanks to the high value it offers gamblers. BetAnySports takes the lowest house edge of any other site we rated, meaning you have the best chances of turning a profit over time betting there.
The house edge is the profit margin that a gambling site or casino takes. The lower the edge, the better a gambler’s odds of winning. And, since BetAnySports takes the lowest edge of any sites available in Maine, it means that it also offers the highest percentage of winning to its customers. It’s the same as being a low-cost provider in other businesses and offering a discounted price to customers.
BetAnySports has lines that are more favorable to gamblers than any other sportsbook. That includes the biggest reduced juice lines available in Maine. Reduced juice refers to the odds on a point spread or over/under totals bet. Most sites set the odds on either side of a cutoff (point spread or total) at -110/-110, but BetAnySports’ reduced juice puts them at -105/-105. That means that instead of risking $110 to win $100 on a bet, you only have to put up $105. That may not seem like a huge difference, but over time, it adds up. And that’s good news for the gambler.
While sports is in the site name, BetAnySports is more than just a sportsbook. There’s also a racebook, a lottery betting section and an online casino that has one of the widest libraries of game titles in the state.
Cutting the house edge means BetAnySports doesn’t make as much money from gambling as other sites. It affords that by cutting expenses and overhead elsewhere, which means that welcome bonuses are lower than other sites, and the user interface doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of other sites. It’s more sparse and bare-bones, but the uncluttered layout makes it easy to use.
Online Gambling in Maine: Legal Status
One of the most common questions we get is: “Is online gambling legal in Maine?” The short answer is “almost.”
Maine has loosened its restrictions on gambling over the years, and, passed a law in 2022 legalizing sports betting, both in person and online. However, now the state is going through the lengthy process of licensing companies and setting up a process for sports gambling. It’s not expected that the first legal bets on sports in Maine will be placed until early 2024 at the soonest.
Other forms of online gambling, including poker and online casino games, are also not allowed at Maine-based websites.
That means that Maine residents looking to gamble will have to go to one of the state’s brick-and-mortar casinos, cross the border to another gambling-friendly neighboring state, or use one of our top-rated offshore gambling sites, which are located outside the reach of state laws and U.S. federal regulations regarding gambling. These sites have all been thoroughly tested by our team of experts.
Payments at an Online Gambling Site in Maine
Funding your account at an online betting site only takes a few minutes and is very easy to do. Payment methods at most top-rated sites include:
- Credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express)
- Bank transfer, wire transfer, P2P transfer
- Digital wallet providers like Skrill and Neteller
- Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies
Funding accounts at offshore sportsbooks means you will have to conduct transactions that cross national borders. That could mean delays or fees associated with some methods of payment.
To make the process flow more smoothly, many bettors use cryptocurrency, which was designed for transactions involving multiple countries. Many sites encourage you to use crypto by offering additional bonuses or same-day payouts. Popular forms of crypto include Bitcoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash and Ethereum.
Advantages of Offshore Gambling Sites in Maine
The only way to take care of all your gambling needs in the state of Maine is at offshore sportsbooks. These online betting sites offer several benefits, including:
Vast Amount of Gambling Options
Offshore sites have the full gamut of gambling markets, giving users a full casino experience. That includes sportsbooks, racebooks and online casinos.
Many sites also have a live dealer casino section and live online poker rooms, as well as niche or novelty betting markets allowing you to bet on lotteries, esports betting, entertainment bets or virtual racing. Betting markets include point spreads, moneylines, point totals, prop bets, and live betting on sporting events.
Less Hassle and More Privacy
Offshore sites allow you to bet from anywhere. Most sites have apps or mobile-optimized platforms that allow you to use a phone or tablet just as easily as a computer. The sites also offer you complete privacy and anonymity. Every site in our top 10 also provides secure and safe environments and protects your personal information.
Online Casino Bonuses
Every online gambling site offers promotions and bonuses. Among the different types you’ll see are:
- Welcome bonuses
- Deposit matching
- Reload bonuses
- Free bets
- Risk-free bets
- Rebates and cash back
- Odds boosts, profit boosts, and parlay boosts
- Reduced juice
- Loyalty programs
What This All Comes Down To
The best way to gamble in Maine is to use one of our top-rated offshore sports betting sites. You can bet on horse races, sports, and other markets as well as find a range of casino games all under one online roof. And, if you’re using one of our top 10 sites, you can do it all in a safe, dependable environment.
FAQs – Maine Gambling Online
What is the legal gambling age in Maine?
You need to be 21 years old to bet at a casino in Maine, and it’s expected that the new sports betting law will also have an age limit of 21.
Offshore sites have their own age limits, however, some are as low as 18.
Can you gamble online in Maine?
Yes, however, Maine does not allow any commercial gambling entities to operate online in the state. For that reason, most players in Maine turn to offshore sites to access a range of casino games and bet on their professional sports teams, college sports and more.
Can you do DraftKings in Maine?
Maine has yet to roll out legal wagering on sports, so you can only use DraftKings to play daily fantasy sports; you can not use DraftKings Sportsbook or play any real money table games or online slots.
How do you gamble in Maine?
If you don’t want to take a trip to one of the few land-based casinos in Maine, offshore casinos provide a great online gambling experience. They accept players from all over the United States, including the Pine Tree state.
Can you sports bet in Maine?
The sites that we have reviewed here offer a full online gambling experience including online sportsbooks with betting options on popular sports around the world, including college sports.
Yes, however, Maine does not allow any commercial gambling entities to operate online in the state. For that reason, most players in Maine turn to offshore sites to access a range of casino games and bet on their professional sports teams, college sports and more.
