PORTLAND, Maine — It's been one year after sports betting went "live" in Maine, and stakeholders are reflecting on its impact.
At Oddfellahs Sportsbook and Bar in Portland, operator David Timulevich explained crowds have kept coming since opening as the state's only in-person betting location.
“The crowds have been amazing,” said Timulevich. “There’s nothing like sports. Sports bring everyone together.”
The location does its betting through Caesars Sportsbook, one of the sports betting platforms operating in the state alongside DraftKings. Customers are able to take advantage of the bar's several TV screens, beers on draft, and full menu to go along with it.
“Being that it’s been online and available for over a year, this place just offers a unique opportunity for people to come in,” Timulevich added.
Despite the appeal of in-person betting, mobile betting has dominated the market. With a phone in almost everyone's pocket, sports betting in Maine is often just a few taps away.
“If you have an account with either one of our mobile operators, you can place your wager without having to go anywhere,” Executive Director of the Maine Gambling Control Unit Milton Champion said. “Mobile’s the way, and it’s proven to be that.”
In its first year, legal sports betting generated $6 million in tax revenue to the state, according to Champion, taking a dip in revenue for casinos. However, he expects that luck to even out in the upcoming year.
“We’re seeing casinos bouncing back, so I think we’re going to find that leveling out,” Champion said.
With any expansion in gambling, concerns about the impacts towards addiction have surfaced. In neighboring states like New Hampshire, sports betting has led to an uptick in people looking for help.
Lori Manson, Gambling Services Coordinator for AdCare Maine, said the trend in Maine has been manageable so far. “I was a little apprehensive when sports betting launched, but in the scheme of things, it’s actually been pretty smooth,” Manson said.
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Recently, Mason said she has seen a small uptick in people seeking help for sports betting over casino gambling. As well, more people have asked to be excluded from sports betting in Maine than in previous months.
“On an individual level, it’s a huge impact,” Manson said. “The numbers wouldn’t tell that story as much.”
If you think you are going through an addiction to gambling, you can contact the state's helpline at 211 or visit AdCare's list of resources.