Online poker is legal in Maine, but regulated real-money poker sites have not launched yet.

Maine became the ninth US state to legalize online poker in January 2026, when Governor Janet Mills allowed LD 1164 — formally titled “An Act to Create Economic Opportunity for the Wabanaki Nations Through Internet Gaming” — to become law without her signature.

The law authorizes statewide online casino gaming and online poker through an exclusive tribal licensing model. Each of Maine’s four Wabanaki Nations controls one internet gaming license and can partner with a commercial gaming operator to offer approved products across the state.

Since legalization, Maine has moved into the regulatory phase.

The Maine Gambling Control Unit initiated internet gaming rulemaking in May 2026 and published a comprehensive package of proposed regulations in July. Licensing and application infrastructure is also being developed, but no regulated real-money online poker room has launched and there is no confirmed launch date.

There have also been important developments on the operator side. Caesars Entertainment announced expanded iGaming agreements with three of Maine’s four Wabanaki Nations in June 2026, positioning the company as a major player in the emerging market.

However, Caesars has not confirmed that WSOP Online will launch in Maine.

Maine has also taken a much harder position on sweepstakes gaming. A separate law that took effect July 29, 2026 prohibits covered dual-currency online sweepstakes games, including poker.

This guide explains the current status of Maine online poker, when regulated poker could launch, which operators could enter the market, whether Maine could join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, and how the state’s unique tribal licensing system will shape the market.

Is Online Poker Legal in Maine?

Yes. Online poker is legal in Maine.

LD 1164 became law in January 2026 and created a regulated framework for statewide internet gaming.

Maine’s definition of Internet Gaming expressly includes card games such as poker, along with other authorized casino games.

However, legal and live are not the same thing.

No regulated real-money online poker room has launched in Maine yet.

Before an operator can begin accepting real-money poker players, it must operate through Maine’s tribal licensing structure, receive the required regulatory approvals, and satisfy the technical and compliance standards established by the Maine Gambling Control Unit.

As of September 2026:

• Online poker is legal in Maine
• Regulated online casino gaming is legal
• No regulated real-money online poker room is live
• Maine’s internet gaming regulatory process is underway
• No Maine online poker launch date has been announced
• Maine is not currently a member of MSIGA

Maine players therefore cannot yet sign up for a state-regulated real-money online poker room.

How Does Maine’s Online Poker Law Work?

Maine uses a tribal-exclusive licensing model.

LD 1164 gives each of Maine’s four Wabanaki Nations the ability to obtain one internet gaming license.

The four tribes are:

• Passamaquoddy Tribe
• Penobscot Nation
• Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians
• Mi’kmaq Nation

Each tribe can partner with a commercial gaming company to provide internet gaming.

This structure gives the Wabanaki Nations control over market access rather than allowing commercial casinos or online gaming companies to apply independently for unrestricted licenses.

Maine’s two commercial casinos were not given independent internet gaming licenses under LD 1164.

Commercial operators therefore need an appropriate tribal relationship and regulatory approval to participate in Maine’s regulated iGaming market.

When Will Online Poker Launch in Maine?

There is currently no confirmed launch date for regulated real-money online poker in Maine.

However, the regulatory process has advanced considerably since LD 1164 became law.

The Maine Gambling Control Unit formally initiated internet gaming rulemaking on May 6, 2026.

In July, the regulator published a substantial package of proposed internet gaming regulations covering Chapters 70 through 84.

The proposed rules address areas including:

• Internet gaming licensing
• Management services
• Suppliers
• Occupational licensing
• Internal controls
• Technical requirements
• Responsible gambling
• Player accounts
• Financial transactions
• Geolocation
• Security
• Regulatory compliance

The Maine Gambling Control Unit has also established application and licensing materials for the developing internet gaming market.

These are important steps toward launch, but the regulatory process must be completed before approved operators can begin offering regulated products.

For online poker specifically, another question remains: whether operators will want to launch poker immediately or concentrate first on online casino gaming.

Poker depends on player liquidity in a way that online slots and house-banked casino games do not.

With a population of approximately 1.4 million, a Maine-only poker network would have a substantially smaller potential player pool than the shared networks currently operating across several regulated US states.

That makes Maine’s potential participation in interstate shared liquidity particularly important.

Which Online Poker Sites Could Launch in Maine?

No regulated online poker operator has announced a confirmed Maine launch.

However, several established US poker operators could potentially enter the market if they secure the necessary tribal relationships and regulatory approvals.

The situation has also changed significantly since Maine legalized iGaming in January 2026.

Caesars has now established iGaming relationships with three of the four Wabanaki Nations, giving it a significant position in the developing market.

That does not necessarily mean WSOP Online will launch.

The distinction between an operator securing access to Maine’s broader iGaming market and deciding to deploy an online poker product is important.

Caesars and WSOP Online

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Caesars Entertainment is currently one of the most important companies to watch in Maine.

In June 2026, Caesars announced expanded agreements with three Wabanaki Nations:

• Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians
• Mi’kmaq Nation
• Penobscot Nation

The agreements expanded Caesars’ existing relationships with the tribes to include planned internet gaming operations.

Caesars announced plans involving Caesars Palace Online Casino, Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, and Horseshoe Online Casino, subject to regulatory approval.

However, the announcement did not confirm a Maine launch for WSOP Online.

That distinction matters.

Caesars already operates WSOP Online in regulated US poker markets and has the technology and experience necessary to offer multi-state online poker.

If Caesars ultimately decides to include WSOP Online within its Maine strategy, its existing poker infrastructure could make it a natural candidate.

For now, though, WSOP Online should be considered a potential Maine poker room rather than a confirmed entrant.

BetRivers Poker

Rush Street Interactive has become one of the most aggressive expansion operators in regulated US online poker through BetRivers Poker.

BetRivers Poker currently connects players across multiple regulated states through a shared poker network.

The operator has also demonstrated a willingness to enter smaller poker markets.

BetRivers was the first regulated online poker operator to launch in West Virginia and played a central role in restoring regulated online poker to Delaware.

That makes Maine a potentially logical market for BetRivers if Rush Street Interactive can secure the necessary market access.

However, there is currently no confirmed BetRivers Poker launch in Maine.

Any entry would depend on an appropriate tribal relationship, regulatory approval, and a commercial decision by RSI to deploy poker in the state.

PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel

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PokerStars remains another potential entrant through its US relationship with FanDuel.

PokerStars’ regulated US poker product now operates within the FanDuel ecosystem in active US markets rather than through the older standalone PokerStars US model.

FanDuel was involved in Maine’s legislative debate over LD 1164 and has substantial experience operating regulated online gaming products in the US.

A future Maine launch involving PokerStars exclusively on FanDuel is therefore possible.

However, neither FanDuel nor PokerStars has announced a regulated Maine poker launch.

Until that changes, PokerStars should be treated as a potential operator rather than a confirmed Maine poker room.

BetMGM Poker

BetMGM Poker is another established regulated US poker operator that could potentially pursue the Maine market.

BetMGM already operates online poker in multiple regulated US jurisdictions and has experience with shared player liquidity.

That infrastructure could make Maine more attractive if the state ultimately joins an interstate poker agreement.

However, BetMGM has not announced a Maine poker launch or confirmed a tribal partnership for online poker.

Its inclusion here therefore reflects its existing position in the regulated US poker market rather than a confirmed Maine entry.

Could Maine Join MSIGA?

Maine is not currently a member of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA).

MSIGA allows participating states to authorize approved poker operators to combine player pools across state lines.

That is particularly important for online poker because liquidity determines how many games can run and how large tournaments can become.

A larger shared player pool can support:

• More active cash-game tables
• More stakes and game formats
• Larger tournament fields
• Bigger tournament guarantees
• More games during off-peak hours

Maine has a population of approximately 1.4 million.

A segregated Maine-only poker market could therefore have significantly less liquidity than the multi-state networks currently available in larger regulated markets.

Joining MSIGA could allow Maine players to compete against players in other participating states rather than being restricted to opponents physically located in Maine.

Does Maine Law Allow Interstate Poker?

LD 1164 does not expressly address Maine joining an interstate online poker compact.

That leaves an important legal and regulatory question unresolved.

One possibility is that Maine’s existing internet gaming law provides sufficient authority for regulators to enter an interstate agreement.

Another is that lawmakers would need to pass additional legislation explicitly authorizing shared liquidity.

Michigan provides a useful historical comparison.

Michigan legalized online poker as part of its broader internet gaming legislation but subsequently enacted additional legislation specifically authorizing interstate poker agreements before joining MSIGA.

Maine could ultimately follow a similar path if state officials determine that additional statutory authority is necessary.

US iGaming attorney Jeff Ifrah has previously told Poker Industry PRO that Maine may not need additional legislation and that regulators could potentially have sufficient authority under the existing law.

That remains an interpretation rather than a confirmed decision by Maine regulators.

Until Maine formally joins MSIGA or state officials clarify their authority to do so, interstate poker liquidity should be considered a possibility rather than a certainty.

Why MSIGA Could Matter to Maine Operators

The interstate liquidity question could influence whether operators decide to launch poker in Maine at all.

Online casino games do not require a pool of competing players. Poker does.

An operator considering Maine therefore has to determine whether a Maine-only player pool can support enough cash games and tournaments to justify launching and maintaining a separate poker platform.

Access to an existing multi-state network could substantially change that calculation.

Operators such as WSOP Online, BetRivers Poker, PokerStars exclusively on FanDuel, and BetMGM Poker already have experience operating poker across regulated state markets.

If Maine eventually authorizes interstate liquidity, connecting Maine players to a larger network could make the state considerably more attractive for a poker launch.

Are Sweepstakes Poker Sites Legal in Maine?

Maine has taken explicit action against online sweepstakes gaming.

On July 29, 2026, LD 2007 took effect, establishing new restrictions on covered online sweepstakes games.

The law targets online sweepstakes games that use a dual-currency system involving virtual currency and allow participation in games that simulate casino-style gambling.

Poker is specifically among the types of games covered by the prohibition.

The Maine Gambling Control Unit also issued an advisory warning residents about illegal online sweepstakes operators when the law took effect.

This represents an important change from Maine’s position earlier in the year.

Before LD 2007 took effect, the Maine Gambling Control Unit had already warned that sweepstakes-style casino and poker platforms constituted unlicensed online gambling.

The new law gives the state a more explicit statutory framework for addressing the dual-currency sweepstakes model.

As a result, Pokerfuse does not recommend dual-currency sweepstakes poker sites as an alternative for Maine players while they wait for regulated real-money online poker to launch.

Players looking to play online before the regulated market launches can instead use genuine free-play poker products that do not offer cash-redemption prizes.

Why Maine’s Wabanaki Nations Control the Market

Maine’s internet gaming law is formally titled “An Act to Create Economic Opportunity for the Wabanaki Nations Through Internet Gaming.”

That title reflects the central purpose and structure of LD 1164.

The legislation gives Maine’s four Wabanaki Nations exclusive access to the state’s internet gaming licenses.

Those tribes are:

• Passamaquoddy Tribe
• Penobscot Nation
• Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians
• Mi’kmaq Nation

Each tribe controls one internet gaming license and can select a commercial partner to provide the technology and gaming products offered under that license.

This differs from states where commercial casinos or gaming companies can independently compete for online gaming licenses.

In Maine, tribal participation is fundamental to market access.

Caesars Has Agreements With Three Wabanaki Nations

The partnership picture became considerably clearer in June 2026.

Caesars Entertainment announced expanded relationships covering internet gaming with:

• Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians
• Mi’kmaq Nation
• Penobscot Nation

Caesars already had relationships with Maine tribes through the state’s sports betting market.

The new agreements expand that positioning into internet gaming and give Caesars a substantial presence as Maine prepares to launch its regulated market.

The Passamaquoddy Tribe is therefore particularly important to watch as Maine’s market develops.

However, tribal iGaming partnerships should not automatically be interpreted as poker partnerships.

Online casino gaming is generally easier to launch in a small state because games such as slots, blackjack, and roulette do not depend on a large pool of other players.

A tribe and its commercial partner could therefore launch an online casino without immediately offering online poker.

Whether each tribal partnership ultimately includes poker will depend on the operator’s products, regulatory approvals, liquidity strategy, and commercial priorities.

Why the Tribal Partnerships Matter for Poker

The commercial partner selected by each tribe could have a significant impact on whether and how quickly online poker develops in Maine.

Operators that already maintain regulated poker networks have a substantial advantage because they do not need to build a poker platform from scratch.

Their existing infrastructure could also become particularly valuable if Maine joins MSIGA.

An operator without an existing poker network might instead concentrate on online casino gaming, where Maine players can participate without requiring a large in-state player pool.

For that reason, Maine’s eventual operator lineup will tell us much more about the prospects for regulated poker than legalization alone.

LD 1164 made online poker possible.

The decisions made by the Wabanaki Nations, their commercial partners, and Maine regulators will determine what the actual market looks like.

What’s Next for Maine Online Poker?

The next major milestone is completion of Maine’s internet gaming regulatory process.

The Maine Gambling Control Unit has already moved from the initial rulemaking stage into detailed proposed regulations and licensing infrastructure.

Before regulated online poker can launch, the remaining process is expected to include:

• Final adoption of internet gaming regulations
• Tribal licensing
• Approval of commercial gaming partners
• Operator and supplier licensing
• Background and financial suitability reviews
• Technical platform certification
• Internal controls approval
• Responsible gambling compliance
• Geolocation testing
• Player account and fund-protection controls

Even after those steps are completed, a licensed iGaming operator would still need to decide whether to include poker among its Maine products.

That decision could depend heavily on the state’s approach to interstate liquidity.

If Maine joins MSIGA or otherwise establishes authority for shared poker pools, operators with existing multi-state networks could connect Maine players to substantially larger player populations.

If Maine launches as a ring-fenced market, some operators could still offer poker exclusively to Maine players, while others may decide to wait for interstate liquidity.

For now, the key facts are straightforward: online poker is legal, regulations are being developed, no regulated poker site has launched, and there is no confirmed launch date.

Maine Online Poker FAQ

Is online poker legal in Maine?

Yes.

Online poker became legal in Maine in January 2026 when LD 1164 became law.

Maine’s Internet Gaming framework expressly includes card games such as poker.

However, no regulated real-money online poker room has launched in the state yet.

Can I play real-money online poker in Maine?

Not through a Maine-regulated online poker room yet.

Although real-money online poker has been legalized, operators cannot launch until the regulatory, licensing, and approval process is completed.

No regulated Maine poker site is currently live.

When will online poker launch in Maine?

There is no confirmed launch date.

The Maine Gambling Control Unit began formal internet gaming rulemaking in May 2026 and published detailed proposed regulations in July.

The market can launch only after the necessary regulatory and licensing processes are completed.

Which online poker sites will launch in Maine?

No online poker operator has confirmed a Maine launch.

WSOP Online, BetRivers Poker, PokerStars exclusively on FanDuel, and BetMGM Poker are among the established regulated US poker operators that could potentially enter Maine.

Caesars has confirmed iGaming agreements with three Wabanaki Nations, but it has not confirmed that WSOP Online will be offered in Maine.

Is WSOP Online coming to Maine?

Possibly, but a launch has not been confirmed.

Caesars Entertainment has iGaming agreements with the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Mi’kmaq Nation, and Penobscot Nation.

Caesars operates WSOP Online in other regulated US markets, but its June 2026 Maine iGaming announcement did not confirm WSOP Online as one of the products that will launch.

Will BetRivers Poker launch in Maine?

BetRivers Poker is a possible future entrant, but no Maine launch has been announced.

Rush Street Interactive operates a multi-state regulated poker network and has previously launched in smaller markets including West Virginia and Delaware.

It would need the necessary Maine market access and regulatory approvals before offering poker in the state.

Does Maine share online poker players with other states?

No.

Maine is not currently a member of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement.

Because no regulated online poker room is live in Maine, there is currently no Maine player pool to share with other states.

Will Maine join MSIGA?

Possibly.

Joining MSIGA could be particularly valuable for Maine because it would allow approved poker operators to combine Maine players with larger interstate player pools.

However, LD 1164 does not expressly address interstate poker agreements, and Maine has not announced that it will join MSIGA.

It remains unclear whether regulators can enter the agreement under existing law or whether additional legislation would be required.

Are sweepstakes poker sites legal in Maine?

Maine enacted new restrictions on online sweepstakes gaming in 2026.

LD 2007 took effect on July 29, 2026 and prohibits covered dual-currency online sweepstakes games that simulate casino gambling, including poker.

Pokerfuse therefore does not recommend dual-currency sweepstakes poker platforms to Maine players.

Can I play free online poker in Maine?

Yes.

Genuine free-play poker games that use virtual chips with no cash value and do not offer cash-redemption prizes provide an option for players who want to practice or play socially while waiting for regulated real-money poker to launch.

Who will regulate online poker in Maine?

The Maine Gambling Control Unit is responsible for the state’s developing Internet Gaming regulatory framework.

The market operates under a tribal-exclusive licensing model in which Maine’s four Wabanaki Nations control access to the state’s internet gaming licenses.

How many online gaming licenses will Maine have?

LD 1164 gives each of Maine’s four Wabanaki Nations access to one internet gaming license.

The tribes are the Passamaquoddy Tribe, Penobscot Nation, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, and Mi’kmaq Nation.

Each tribe can work with a commercial gaming partner to offer approved internet gaming products.

Do I have to pay taxes on online poker winnings in Maine?

Poker winnings can be subject to federal and Maine state tax requirements.

The exact tax treatment depends on the player’s circumstances, so players with significant gambling winnings should consult an appropriate tax professional.