BANGOR, Maine — It has been two years since in-person sports betting was signed into law in Maine, but there is still no sports betting at Maine’s two casinos or anywhere else in the state.
Online sports betting launched in the state in November, but there is still no word on when people can expect in-person sports betting to begin.
Sen. Joe Baldacci, D-Bangor, wrote to Milton Champion, the executive director of the Maine Gambling Control Unit, this week to question him about the stagnation. Champion oversees sports betting in Maine.
"It is both surprising and unacceptable that not a single retail operator has commenced operations," Baldacci said in his letter.
Baldacci said launching in-person sports betting is an important economic issue for Hollywood Casino in Bangor since it could increase its revenue and money going to the city.
"Hollywood Casino has over 300 employees, pays the City of Bangor $2.2 million a year that pays the mortgage on the Cross Insurance Center, and pays the state more than $25 million a year in terms of tax revenues," Baldacci said in an interview.
Most states have had much quicker turnarounds from legalizing in-person sports betting to launching it. Massachusetts, for example, took around six months.
"There’s no comparison, there’s no other place where you could find this kind of stagnation," Baldacci said. "Some believe it could be intentional."
Baldacci said there are too many regulatory barriers for Maine’s casinos to launch sports betting, and that making it happen may require legislative action.
"The executive director has no oversight. There is no oversight, there is no public accountability, and that needs to change," Baldacci said. "This needs to be an open, accountable, transparent, responsive effort."
Leaders with Hollywood Casino in Bangor say they're appreciative of Baldacci's effort.
Austin Muchemore, vice president and general manager of Hollywood Casino, said in a statement: "We remain committed to constructive dialogue with all stakeholders to support a smooth implementation of retail sports betting at Hollywood Casino as soon as possible."
Champion has not replied to Baldacci’s letter.
"State leadership needs to be responsive on this and get it addressed," Baldacci said.
The Maine Gambling Control Unit did not respond to a request for comment.