Maine 18+ Casinos
Horse racing has anchored gambling in Maine since the 1800s, and it is still one of the few forms open to an 18-year-old. Pari-mutuel bets are allowed at 18, on the track or off it, along with the state lottery, daily fantasy sports and charitable gambling. Standardbred racing at Bass Park dates to 1893, and betting at the tracks was legalized in 1935.
Casinos are another matter. Maine approved two casino licenses in 2010 and Oxford Casino opened as the first in 2012, but it and Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway, like the rest of the local Maine casinos and racinos, are for players 21 and up. The same age applies to slots, video poker, live poker and the mobile sportsbooks that launched in 2022.
None of the casinos is tribal. Maine’s four federally recognized tribes, the Passamaquoddy, the Penobscot Nation, the Aroostook Band of Micmacs and the Houlton Band of Maliseets, have never been allowed past bingo, and a 2014 bill to give them Class III gaming failed. Players under 21 who want casino games can turn to licensed offshore online casinos, which no Maine law specifically bans.
Maine Gambling Milestones That Matter at 18:
- 1935: pari-mutuel betting legalized at Maine racetracks, open today from age 18.
- 1973: the Penobscot Nation opens a high-stakes bingo hall in Old Town.
- 1984: the Maine State Lottery starts selling tickets.
- 2012: Oxford Casino opens as the state’s first legal casino, for players 21 and up.
- 2022: mobile sports betting apps arrive, also limited to 21 and over.
Can You Gamble At 18 In Maine?
Young adults either living in or visiting Maine can participate in these legal forms of gaming: lotteries, daily fantasy sports, pari-mutuel horse wagering on and off-track, and charitable gambling. Advanced gaming, such as sports betting, casino gambling, live and video poker, and slot machines, are restricted to young 18-year-old players and are only accessible by patrons who are at least 21.
Young ME players that do not like the inability to participate in these types of games often cross over into states with 18+ casinos, however, not only do other states have different gaming laws but different casino laws as well. To avoid unknowingly breaking any other state laws and excess travel, Pine Tree State players can access reliable and legal online casinos that provide a full range of titles and game types to players who are 18 and over.
Is It Legal To Gamble Online In Maine?
Yes. Domestic mobile sportsbooks debuted in Maine in 2022, but they are limited to 21+ customers. In regard to other forms of online gaming, there are no laws currently in Maine’s legislature that declare a specific ban on legitimate international casino gaming sites.
Backed by the Federal Government’s stance that does not deny US citizens from accessing legal offshore online casinos, we can safely say that it is lawful to gamble on these sites. In fact, we recommend top-tier 18+ online casinos in the table below to assist players in reaching legal gaming sources.
Most Reputable 18+ Online Casinos For Maine Players In 2026
Our team of online gaming specialists verified each brand we present below. Of which they recommended after certifying each for legal licensing, high-level security standards, US market compatibility, accessible customer support, timely payouts, and mandatory industry oversight.
Maine players who are at least 18 can play real money games and access a wide range of casino games with no restrictions.
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Site Name |
Rating |
Bonus Offer |
USA |
Ages |
PLAY NOW |
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1
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 |
★★★★★★ |
300% Max $2,000 |
✓ |
18+ |
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2
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★★★★★★ |
125% Max $1,250 |
✓ |
18+ |
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3
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★★★★★★ |
200% Max $3,000 |
✓ |
18+ |
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4
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★★★★★★ |
150% Max $1,500 |
✓ |
18+ |
What Maine Casinos Are 18 and Up?
Maine restricts young adults from accessing advanced casino gambling games. However, 18-year-old ME players can gamble at 18+ online casinos hosted offshore. ME young adults can still play other legal forms of gaming in the state.
Available Brick And Mortar Gambling Destinations In ME
- Oxford Casino
- Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway
- Scarborough Downs
- Lewiston Raceway
- Bass Park
- Maine Agricultural Fairs
- Cavalier Club Bingo
- Eagles Bingo
- A-Coin-O-Matic Music
- Seacoast Bingo
- Indian Township Bingo/Community Center
- Penobscot High Stakes Bingo
- South Portland Bingo Hall
Brief History Of Maine’s Gambling Laws
Lotteries were used in the 1800s to fund public buildings, schools, and churches. It was particularly popular in Southern states; however, New England states were no different. Settlers considered participating in these lottery-type raffles as a part of their civic duty. Unfortunately, these lotteries were unregulated and could easily corrupt high-up individuals, including one Maine lottery organizer who kept $10 million dollars.
Many state officials in the South played a hand in numerous scandals because of these lotteries. However, this changed during the 1820s when states put their foot down and began banning lotteries from their citizens. Maine specifically banned all forms of gaming except horse racing. Horse racing became a natural pastime as horses were a huge part of everyday life in Maine, especially as a transportation method.
In 1893, Standardbred horse races were allowed at Bass Park.
In 1935, ME legalized pari-mutuel betting at their racetracks.
In 1950, the Scarborough racetrack opened, and the Thoroughbred horse made its debut.
By 1973, voters approved of a state-run lottery. This same year, the Penobscot Nation opened a high-stakes bingo hall in Old Town. This was one of the first Tribal halls to do so.
In 1984, the Maine State Lottery began operating and selling tickets.
By 1988, with Congress passing the IGRA, tribes within Maine were permitted to negotiate with the state for gaming compacts. However, Maine has failed to allow tribes to expand their gaming past bingo or put modern bingo machines in their facilities, which has led to a further decline in attendance.
In 1993, greyhound races became illegal.
In 2003, slots and video poker were permitted at racetracks. This was a monumental win after a similar bill allowing legalization was defeated in 2000.
By 2004, the ME State Lottery had expanded to join multi-state games and include the Power Ball.
In 2009, once again the lottery expanded to join and include the Hot Lotto.
In 2010, the state approved the licensing of two casinos with class III gaming. The lottery expanded again to include Mega Millions.
By 2012, Oxford Casino became the first legal casino to open. This same year the lottery included Lucky for Life.
In 2014, a bill attempting to allow class III gaming for tribal facilities failed.
In 2016, a bill legalizing daily fantasy sports was introduced. This bill was signed into law in 2017.
In 2022, mobile sports betting applications were introduced in Maine allowing 21 and over gamblers access.
18+ Online Casinos For Maine Residents
ME players interested in playing a range of casino games can participate on our recommended list of 18+ online casinos. These casinos are located offshore and are licensed by appropriate jurisdictions, making them perfectly legal for Pine Tree State players. We only desire to provide safe and legitimate sources of gaming entertainment for Maine Players which is why we hand-selected these top-tier brands to share.