Mills vetoes bill to legalize sports betting in Maine
Gov. Janet Mills on Friday vetoed a bill that would have legalized sports betting in Maine, saying more time is needed to examine the issue and understand the experience of other states.
The bill, LD 553 ("An Act to Ensure Proper Oversight of Sports Betting in the State"), was one of three held over from the Legislature's last session she vetoed, while allowing 24 others to be enacted.
The other vetoes were of LD 517 ("An Act to Facilitate Fair Ballot Representation for All Candidates") and LD 268 ("An Act to Create a Credit under the Commercial Forestry Excise Tax for Landowners Using Businesses Based in the United States").
In a two-page letter to lawmakers on the sports betting measure, Mills said that while she believes it would be a step forward in regulating what is now a black market activity, "I remain unconvinced at this time that the majority of Maine people are ready to legalize, support, endorse and promote betting on competitive events."
Right now, Mainers' closest option for sports betting is New Hampshire, which legalized sports betting on Dec. 30 under a contract with DraftKings. According to ESPN, 14 states have legalized sports betting, while another seven have passed legislation but have not yet legalized it. Another two dozen are considering legislation.
"Before Maine joins the frenzy of state hungry to attract this market," Mills wrote, "I believe we need to examine the issue more clearly, better understand the evolving experiences of other states, and thoughtfully determine the best approach for Maine. That approach needs to balance the desire to suppress gambling activities now being conducted illegally and the need to protect youthful gamblers and those least able to absorb losses under a closely regulated scheme."
Mills also allowed 24 bills to become law without her signature and said that the Legislature recalled 13 bills from her desk for further consideration or drafting clarification.
Friday's actions clears the governor's desk of all pending legislation, a day ahead of the Jan. 11 deadline.
Full list of bills allowed
- LD 54, “An Act To Limit the Influence of Lobbyists by Expanding the Prohibition on Accepting Political Contributions”
- LD 545, “An Act To Ban Child Marriage”
- LD 793, “An Act To Improve Accountability of Opioid Manufacturers”
- LD 833, “An Act To Provide the Same Retirement Benefits for State Employees Working in Law Enforcement as Are Provided to Law Enforcement Officers”
- LD 866, “An Act To Support College Completion by Homeless Youth in Maine”
- LD 1036, “Resolve, Establishing a Task Force To Study the Creation of a Comprehensive Career and Technical Education System To Support Workforce Development”
- LD 1104 “An Act To Clarify the State’s Commitments Concerning Certain Public Service Retirement Benefits”
- LD 1207, “An Act To Expand the 1998 Special Retirement Plan To Include Detectives in the Office of Investigations within the Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles”
- LD 1208, “An Act To Expand the 1998 Special Retirement Plan To Include Detectives in the Office of the Attorney General”
- LD 1249, “An Act To Prohibit the Abuse and Isolation of Older and Dependent Adults”
- LD 1311, “An Act Regarding the Sale of Dogs and Cats at Pet Shops”
- LD 1386, “An Act Regarding the Determination of the Prevailing Wage Rate for Public Works Projects”
- LD 1399, “An Act To Improve Oral Health and Access to Dental Care for Maine Children”
- LD 1442, “An Act To Provide for Court-appointed Advocates for Justice in Animal Cruelty Cases”
- LD 1518, “An Act To Establish a Fund for Portions of the Operations and Outreach Activities of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Diagnostic and Research Laboratory and To Increase Statewide Enforcement of Pesticide Use”
- LD 1550, “An Act To Create a Victims’ Compensation Fund for Victims of Property Crimes”
- LD 1597, “An Act To Provide a Sales Tax Exemption for Purchases Made by Nonprofit Seasonal Camps”
- LD 1700, "Resolve, To Promote the Inclusion of African-American History and Culture in the Curricular Offerings of School Administrative Units"
- LD 1718, “An Act To Exempt Purchases by Pet Food Pantries from Sales Tax”
- LD 1808, “An Act To Provide a Sales Tax Exemption for Certain Nonprofit Charitable Organizations”
- LD 1809, “Resolve, To Increase Funding for Evidence-based Therapies for Treating Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Children”
- LD 1838, “Resolve, Requiring the Department of Health and Human Services To Examine Options for Upper Payment Limit Adjustments for MaineCare Services”
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