Poll suggests 64% of Maine voters oppose iGaming legalization

• A survey commissioned by the National Association Against iGaming reveals that 64% of Maine voters are against legalizing online casinos
• Primary concerns among the voters are the addictive nature of iGaming and the potential failure to prevent children from gambling online
• Gov. Janet Mills can impose a veto this week, which may stop the legislation from progressing

The results of a new poll in Maine paint a grim picture of the future of online gambling in the state.

The new statewide survey, conducted by Lake Research Partners and commissioned by the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG), highlights that a majority of voters oppose the legalization of iGaming.

Maine voters fear the negative impact of iGaming

Details released by NAAiG regarding the survey, conducted between December 13 and December 16, 2025, reveal that an overwhelming majority of 64% of Maine voters oppose iGaming legalization.

Close to half, or 49%, are strongly against the legalization of online casino gambling, a public statement reveals.

On the other hand, only 16% of the likely voters are in favor of iGaming legalization.

Interestingly, the opposition against iGaming legalization spans across party affiliation, with 58% of Republicans and 69% of Democrats opposing the effort.

Similarly, 70% of independent voters also disagree with the proposed plan to legalize online casino gambling in Maine.

"The most effective argument against iGaming is the industry's failure to prevent teenagers and children from gambling online, followed closely by concerns about increased addiction and problem gambling," the NAAiG explained.

The statewide survey also uncovered that 51% of the voters would be less likely to support a lawmaker who votes in favor of legalizing online gambling.

Jason Gumer, NAAiG's Board Member and Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Monarch Casino and Resort, Inc., spoke about the latest poll.

"If Maine allows iGaming to become law, the state will stand out as an outlier in New England and across the country at a time when other governors and legislatures are hearing from their constituents and choosing not to move forward with this highly addictive form of gambling," he explained.

Moreover, Gumer said: "The results ring loud and clear: Maine voters reject iGaming when they understand it puts a 24/7 casino on the same smartphones their kids use."

The future of online gambling in Maine is uncertain

Results of the new poll emerge ahead of a close deadline about a veto that can be imposed by Gov. Janet Mills on LD 1164, the proposal calling for the legalization of online gambling.

Per the draft legislation, Maine's Tribes would exclusively gain control of iGaming.

However, Gov. Mills can impose a veto on the proposal, which is described as controversial by some stakeholders.

In case Gov. Mills intends to impose a veto on the iGaming proposal, this needs to be completed within a narrow window from Wednesday through Friday this week.

While the fate of iGaming in Maine isn't certain yet, similar proposals in New Hampshire, Maryland and Massachusetts, among other states, weren't able to progress.

Image credit: Pixabay.com