Maine Advances Bills on Credit Cards and Sweepstakes

Maine lawmakers have moved forward with two measures aimed at tightening oversight of gambling activity, focusing on payment restrictions and unregulated online platforms. The proposals, LD 2080 and LD 2007, address different areas of the market but share a common objective of strengthening consumer protections as the state expands its online gambling framework.

The state legalized online casinos earlier in 2026, creating a regulated environment that lawmakers are now working to protect. As access to digital betting increases, officials are introducing additional safeguards to address financial risks and the presence of unlicensed operators.

LD 2080 would prohibit the use of credit cards for gambling transactions, applying to both online platforms and in-person betting locations. The bill was initially drafted to cover sports betting only, but lawmakers expanded its scope to include iGaming as part of broader regulatory preparations.

The restriction applies specifically to credit. Players would still be able to deposit using debit cards, bank transfers, cash, and prepaid options that are not funded through credit. The measure is designed to prevent gambling with borrowed money while maintaining access to legal wagering options.

Operators would be required to update their systems across all channels, including mobile apps, websites, digital wallets, and retail kiosks, to block credit card transactions automatically. This places enforcement responsibility on operators and regulators, rather than relying on individual compliance.

Lawmakers have linked the proposal to concerns about mobile gambling and the ease of accessing credit. Constant availability of betting platforms, combined with borrowed funds, has been associated with higher risks of overspending and compulsive behavior. Removing credit as a payment option introduces a layer of control aimed at encouraging more cautious spending.

Alongside payment restrictions, lawmakers have also advanced LD 2007, which focuses on sweepstakes-style platforms that operate outside Maine’s regulated gambling system. The bill would make it illegal to operate or promote online sweepstakes games that use dual-currency models resembling real-money wagering.

These platforms typically allow users to purchase virtual coins and later redeem winnings for cash prizes. Legislators argue that this setup mirrors traditional gambling while avoiding licensing and oversight requirements.

Under the proposal, violations could result in fines ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. The measure aims to protect the regulated market by preventing unlicensed operators from competing without meeting the same standards.

Lawmakers acknowledge that restricting sweepstakes platforms could push some players toward offshore sites. However, the recent legalization of online casinos provides a regulated alternative, which the state expects will reduce reliance on unlicensed options.

Both measures are framed around reducing financial harm linked to gambling activity. Lawmakers have highlighted concerns that access to credit can lead to increased spending and long-term debt, particularly when losses accumulate.

By requiring players to use funds they already have, LD 2080 introduces a safeguard intended to limit debt-related risks. Credit-based betting can result in high-interest liabilities and repeated attempts to recover losses, which can worsen financial outcomes over time.

Other states have taken similar steps. Credit card use for gambling is already prohibited in jurisdictions such as Tennessee, Massachusetts, and Vermont, while some states apply partial restrictions. These policies reflect a broader trend toward tighter oversight as online betting continues to expand.

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Implementing the credit card ban presents technical challenges. Payment systems often draw funds from multiple sources, especially in digital wallets, making it difficult to confirm whether transactions are fully credit-free. Third-party processors add another layer of complexity.

To address these issues, regulators would need to introduce stricter compliance requirements, including audits, clear technical standards, and coordination with payment providers.

Both LD 2080 and LD 2007 have advanced out of committee and will now be considered by the full Maine Legislature. Lawmakers will debate and vote on both measures before they can move to Governor Janet Mills for final approval or veto.

The outcome will determine how quickly these changes are implemented and may influence similar policy discussions in other states as regulators respond to the continued growth of online gambling.

Source:

Maine Sports Betting Credit Card Ban Heads to Governor, pro.stateaffairs.com, March 27, 2026