Leaders of the Wabanaki Nations want to expand legal online gambling to include casino-type games, arguing it would redirect black-market money towards important tribal initiatives.
On Monday, the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee heard testimony on a bill to legalize the practice and give the tribes exclusive control over the online gambling system. That arrangement is currently in place around sports betting, which was launched in Maine in 2023.
Chief William Nicholas of the Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indian Township argues additional money from things like online blackjack and craps could help ease tight budgets at the tribal and state levels and deliver on essential services.
“It helps us address housing needs, health disparities, elderly needs, things that are funded solely by the tribe,” Nicholas said.
