Title Ideas:
1. Maine’s Tribes Taking Big Step To Expand Exclusive Rights to Online Sports Betting
2. Maine Governer Janet Mills Signs Bill to Expand Tribal Rights To Online Sports Betting
Maine’s Tribes Aim to Expand Rights To Online Sports Betting
Maine’s indigenous tribes are looking to expand their exclusive rights to sports betting in the state. State lawmakers recently held a public hearing to discuss the proposed bills that would significantly broaden the tribes’ rights to include all forms of online gambling, casinos, electronic beano, and harness racing.
Governor Janet Mills’ Take on Expanding Tribal Rights
State Governor Janet Mills has long opposed gambling in Maine, however, she recently signed a bill granting tribes exclusive rights to profit off Maine’s new online sports betting. This could prove to be the single largest expansion of gaming in the state’s history and many worry that governer Mills may have moved too quickly without consulting the citizens.
Proponents of the Expansion of Tribal Rights
Proponents of the expansion of tribal rights believe the profits from expanded online sports betting will go toward allowing the tribes to focus on investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and other areas that would benefit their members and nearby communities.
“The revenues will allow the tribes in Maine to invest in businesses, education, healthcare, infrastructure and a host of other areas that will benefit tribal citizens and their rural Maine neighbors,” said Rep. Laura Supica at Wednesday’s public hearing.
Opposition to Expansion of Tribal Rights
However, opponents of the proposed bill are concerned that the expansion of tribal rights would lead to a monoplies in the industry and are not in favor of tribes being the sole profiting group for Maine’s gambling industry.
“This would be the single largest expansion of gaming in the state’s history, without a doubt, and with no vote of the people, so this is literally a casino on any iPhone, Android, MacBook, tablet and other such thing,” said Hollywood Casino and Raceway Attorney Chris Jackson.