- Recent polling found that 64% of Maine voters reject online casino gambling. The biggest worry among respondents was kids getting onto gambling sites.
- Voters from all political parties opposed the measure, and about 51% said they wouldn't be as likely to vote for legislators who support it in the 2026 elections.
AUGUSTA, Maine - A new poll from across Maine shows that most voters don't want online casino gambling in the state. About 64% of people surveyed said they're against it, and nearly half of them feel really strongly about keeping it illegal.
Lake Research Partners polled 500 voters in Maine in the middle of December 2025. Governor Janet Mills has until Friday to reject a bill that would permit the best legal casinos to have online gambling in the state, which is why the survey is being performed.
All political parties opposed the proposal, which only garnered 16% of the vote. More than 70% of independents, 58% of Republicans, and 69% of Democrats rejected the initiative.
If LD 1164 is passed, Maine will be only the eighth state to allow gambling at online casinos. While nearby states including New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, and Maryland have either rejected or postponed similar measures, no state has legalized it since 2023.
One obvious worry raised by voters was keeping children away from gambling websites. Many children use their parents' phones to access online gambling sites, and these gambling companies have consistently failed to keep minors off their platforms.
55% of respondents indicated they had major doubts about continuing after learning about these problems. 42% of respondents said they had extremely significant doubts. Voters also expressed concerns about future taxpayer costs, growing gambling addictions, and families falling behind on their payments.
The bill's advocates mentioned the potential tax income it could bring in for the state. They further emphasized that the companies will only be managed by Native American tribes in Maine. The arrangement could let tribes partner with top casino operators and bring legal casinos in Maine through online platforms for the first time. But even with these points, support stayed under 20% throughout the survey.
Election dangers were also indicated by the poll. In 2026, almost 51% of voters stated they would be less inclined to support lawmakers who supported internet gambling, especially Democrats and independents. Maine would stand out from its neighbors if the law is passed, according to the National Association Against iGaming, which commissioned the report.