Maine has officially become the ninth U.S. state to legalize online poker with the passage of bill LD 1164 over the weekend. The legislation grants federally recognized tribes in the state—the Penobscot, Mi’kmaq, Passamaquoddy, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians—the rights to operate online gaming, including poker and casino-style games.

A 10% tax will apply, with revenue supporting both tribal initiatives and state programs focused on responsible gambling.

Opportunities and Challenges for Pine Tree Poker

While the legalization marks an exciting step for online poker in Maine, some challenges loom. With fewer than two million residents, the state ranks among the smallest in the U.S., raising concerns about player liquidity. Without a critical mass of active players, maintaining regular cash games and tournaments could prove difficult.

The bill allows each tribe to partner with third-party platform providers, potentially opening the door for established poker brands to enter Maine. However, with the player base potentially split across four separate tribal networks, building a robust online poker ecosystem may remain a challenge.

Looking Ahead: Multi-State Pools Could Be Key

For a thriving online poker market, joining a multi-state player pool—like the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) used in Michigan, Nevada, and New Jersey—could be crucial. Currently, LD 1164 does not provide for shared liquidity with other states, meaning Maine may initially operate in isolation.

Estimates suggest that online poker may not be fully playable in Maine for about a year, leaving plenty of time for platforms, partnerships, and marketing strategies to evolve. The coming months will be critical in determining whether Maine can establish a healthy, sustainable online poker scene or if its small population will limit early growth.

Maine’s entry into the legal online poker world is official—but the journey from legislation to virtual felt action is just beginning.