AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee voted Thursday in support of a measure sponsored by Rep. Laura Supica, D-Bangor, which would establish greater economic opportunity for the Wabanaki Nations by authorizing each federally recognized Indian nation, tribe or band in Maine to operate internet gaming, opening up new a revenue stream.
"Internet gaming is part of the future of betting," said Supica. "LD 1777 would allow us to respond to this market-driven development in a way that provides benefits to tribal nations and the state of Maine."
A 2022 Harvard University study found that the Wabanaki have underperformed economically compared to other tribes in other parts of the country. Additionally, the unemployment rates for tribal members is more than double that of other non-tribal Mainers. The average age of death among Penobscot, Passamaquoddy and Maliseet tribal members is 54 years old, compared to the U.S. national average, which is 76 years old.
"This proposal would ensure that the tribes in Maine have access to unencumbered resources to reinvest in their communities after generations of restricted opportunities and insufficient services," said Supica. "It would also direct new investments from the proceeds of internet gaming to a number of programs that benefit the health and wellbeing of folks across the state, including Maine veterans and those dealing with addiction and housing insecurity."
The internet gaming licensing structure would be issued by the existing Gambling Control Unit within the Maine Department of Public Safety and be modeled after the licensing structure for online sports betting, which was legalized in 2022. Sixteen percent of the internet gaming revenue would be passed onto the state to be used to support public safety and health work such as E911 response, opioid use disorder prevention and treatment, and housing for Maine veterans.
The bill faces votes in the House and Senate in the coming weeks.
Supica is serving her second term in the Maine House and represents District 22, which includes part of Bangor. She serves as House chair of the Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Supica], 305-965-2744