Legal Online Poker in Maine
Maine is one of the numerous US states that haven’t legalized online poker. Online casinos are, and while attempts were made to authorize online sports betting in 2020 and 2021, they failed. Horse racing and sweepstakes casinos and poker sites remain the only forms of legal online gambling in the state.
While sweepstakes poker rooms technically allow you to win real cash (in a somewhat roundabout way), they are no match to real-money poker sites in terms of options, player traffic, tournament prizes, and the overall experience.
- Is Poker Legal In ME
- Best Online ME Poker Sites
- How To Signup On A ME Poker Site
- Where To Play Poker In ME
- Resources
- FAQ
But how can you access real-money poker sites from Maine if none operate from within the state? Read on to find out.
Is Online Poker Legal in Maine?
In short, online poker is officially not legal in Maine. There were discussions among lawmakers to legalize online poker in Maine in previous years, but no bills were proposed. The advantage was given to online betting, although that bill also fell short.
Be that as it may, no laws specifically outlaw online poker in Maine. Furthermore, under Title 17-A, Chapter 39, Section 952 of the Maine Criminal Code, gambling is loosely defined as a “contest of chance.” While poker undoubtedly contains elements of chance, it is widely regarded as a game of skill.
This means that poker may or may not be interpreted as part of “unlawful gambling” according to the state’s law books. Maine is not alone in this, as there are plenty of US states in which online poker is in a so-called gray area in terms of legality.
That’s why Maine poker players freely play on offshore poker sites. Since they operate abroad, these sites do not have to abide by US laws, and the players can join at their discretion. Many players from Maine play on these sites every day without facing legal repercussions, but you should consult a legal professional before joining yourself.
Top-rated offshore poker sites share the same characteristics as those licensed in states with legal online poker, including optimal rake, high player traffic, a wide assortment of games and tourneys, and quick payout times.
Poker Laws
You can find everything you want to know about the legalities of gambling in Maine on the following link:
Best Legal Poker Rooms in Maine
Thousands of people from Maine play poker daily, either via their online poker accounts or by visiting one of many live card rooms around the state. Here’s more about each option.Legal Online Poker in Maine
Legal online poker in Maine is limited to sweepstakes poker sites. These sites allow you to play for real money, but only through the sweepstakes model.
If you desire more thrilling action with bigger prize pots, test your poker skills at offshore poker sites. While these are not licensed to operate in Maine or any other state, using them is technically not illegal, allowing you to join and not worry about getting into trouble.
Offshore poker rooms are a great option, as they allow you to play your favorite poker games from the comfort of your home or on the go and win real money. However, some offshore sites are better than others, not to mention that running into rogue poker sites with unsatisfactory safety protocols can put your personal and financial information at risk.
In other words, you must know which offshore poker sites are safe and worth your investment; hence you should stick to the ones we recommend.
My list of the best US poker sites which I consider to be the best rooms to play in 2023:
- BetOnline Poker
- Ignition Poker
- Everygame Poker
- Juicy Stakes Poker
- Americas Cardroom
- Bovada Poker
- BlackChip Poker
- SportsBetting Poker
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Land-Based Poker in Maine
If you prefer playing live poker, you can do so at Maine’s two commercial land-based casinos in Bangor and Oxford.
Hollywood Casino Bangor features a poker room, but it was temporarily closed at the time of this writing. Usually, the space has four tables running Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and 7 Card Stud. On the other hand, Oxford Casino Hotel does not have a dedicated poker room. Still, it features several poker games you can play heads-up against the dealer, including 3 Card Poker, Jackpot Hold’em, and Louisiana Stud.
You may also find Native American gambling establishments across the state, but they are not allowed to offer poker, only bingo. Charitable gambling is permitted, so you may find poker games at certain charity events. Private home games are also allowed as long as the organizers don’t profit from them.
How to Register on a Legal Online Poker Site in Maine
Now that you know that it’s safe to join an offshore poker site in Maine (as long as you’re joining a legit one), all you need to do is find a poker room that fits your preferences, create an account, deposit, and start playing. Here are more details on how that process works:Choose A Poker Room
Click on the link next to a featured poker site listed on this page.
Visit the chosen poker room by following the link.
Signup
Start the registration process by sharing your email address and choosing a password. You’ll also be asked to fill out a form with your personal details, including your name, age, and more. The minimum age requirement on most offshore poker sites is 18.
Activate your account by following the instructions from the website.
Deposit & Play
Establish a starting bankroll by going to the deposit page, where you’ll choose a payment method and input the amount you want to deposit.
Claim the poker site’s welcome offer (optional).
Join a game or a tournament and start playing.
Most poker sites allow you to play directly through the browser, but some players prefer downloading a poker client. The download and installation instructions should be displayed on the website.
Land-Based Casinos With Live Poker
Here are all the Maine casinos that feature live poker rooms:- Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway Bangor — 500 Main St, Bangor, ME 04401
Other Resources
Final Thoughts
Maine is one of many US states that haven’t legalized online poker. Playing poker on mobile or desktop is not officially legal. Still, vague laws allow for the operation of offshore poker sites, which many Maine players join without getting in trouble.Nevertheless, you should be careful choosing an offshore poker room and stick to the ones recommended by experts. Meanwhile, options for playing live poker in Maine are somewhat limited, which is all the more reason to play online. Go over our list of top-rated poker sites in Maine once more and make your pick. Best of luck!
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