Maine online poker players will likely be playing at WSOP Online if Caesars Entertainment secures 75% of the online gaming licenses available in the state.
Caesars currently operates sports betting via partnerships with three Wabanaki Nations groups: the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Mi’kmaq Nation, and the Penobscot Nation. The company announced this week that it secured long-term agreements with those tribal groups for a potential online gaming launch in 2026.
The company operates a shared poker platform in Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Maine officially legalized online gaming and poker in January through the state’s four federally-recognized tribes. The legislation allows poker operators to share liquidity with other states.
“As we look ahead to the launch of online casino gaming in Maine, we’re proud to expand our partnership with the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Mi’kmaq Nation, and the Penobscot Nation,” Caesars Digital President Eric Hession said.
“Together, we’ve built a strong and responsible sports wagering experience, and this next phase reinforces our commitment to our tribal partners and to delivering a differentiated, localized digital gaming experience for Mainers.”
Caesars Likely To Offer Online Poker
Despite the sports betting agreements, carrying that over to iGaming wasn’t a certainty. However, the company was able to strike deals with the three tribes.
If gaming regulators approve, Caesars will be allowed to launch combined sports betting and casino platforms across three skins: Caesars Palace, Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, and Horseshoe.
The company didn’t specifically outline a plan for poker in announcing the agreements. A launch on one of those skins, however, seems likely.
Another License Up For Grabs
One tribal group has yet to announce a partnership. The Passamaquoddy Tribe partners with DraftKings for sports betting, but other operators could potentially reach a deal for online casino operations, and potentially poker.
DraftKings doesn’t have an online poker platform. If the company does sign an agreement with the Passamaquoddy, poker players may be left with one option. The company appears to have sights on reaching a deal.
Opposition Remains
The National Association Against iGaming (NAAIG) is opposed to the iGaming law in Maine. It wanted voters to decide the issue via a referendum after collecting around 68,000 signatures.
The group apparently found that DraftKings had already secured contracts with the state’s major signature-gathering companies, making that prospect more difficult.
“NAAiG reviewed every available option to block the bill from becoming law,” the group told the Boston Globe. “Ultimately, our path to a People’s Veto was effectively blocked by a tidal wave of cash from iGaming industry supporters.”
Maine’s online gaming law still faces one hurdle. One of the state’s two commercial casinos has filed a federal lawsuit to block the law going into effect, alleging that the legislation amounts to a “race-based monopoly.” A judge gave the go-ahead for a tribal group to intervene in the case in April.
The Maine News comes as Golden Nugget owner Tilman Fertitta has moved to acquire Caesars.
