Online Sports Betting Options for Maine Residents

Maine is certainly not any kind of sports hub. In fact they do not have any professional sports teams, and very few prominent college athletic programs to speak of. This does not mean however that residents of the Pine Tree State are not die hard and devoted sports fans who enjoy responsible sportsbook wagering entertainment. Understanding what is and is not legal, and what options are legitimately available to bettors is a key component to engaging in legally sanctioned online sports betting activity. This guide was designed to assist Maine bettors in navigating this often times confusing gambling landscape, and discover how to access legal and regulated Internet sportsbooks that provide secure and high quality services to sports bettors in Maine. We intend to expand this guide to cover multiple sports venues, with our first segment dedicated to covering Maine football betting options.

Recommended Online Sportsbooks Accepting Maine Players

Sportsbook Name	Welcome Bonus	USA Accepted	Rating	Visit
Bovada Sportsbook	100% - $500 x2	Yes		Visit
Betonline Sportsbook	100% - $3000	Yes		Visit
Sportsbetting.ag	150% - $3000	Yes		Visit
Bookmaker	200% - $2000	Yes		Visit

Is online sports betting legal in Maine?

Gamblers in Maine will not find any state regulated sports betting opportunities available to them. This is because the Federal Wire Act and the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act are both federal laws which prohibit US based sports betting with the exception of a few select destinations. In essence, state licensed and regulated sports betting options in Maine are off the table. This does not eliminate all our options though. There are numerous offshore sportsbooks which are licensed and certified to provide sports betting services to bettors around the world, including those in the US and in Maine. These virtual betting sites are located and regulated outside of the United States within districts that have expressly legalized sports betting for their region. Because these sites are legally licensed and regulated, they are not in violation of any US federal laws by providing their services to US bettors. So yes, it is legal to bet on sports in Maine, as long as you are limiting your activity to legally sanctioned destinations which are regulated outside of the US. Because the USA has strict federal laws governing sports betting, most states do not address the issue. You can see what Maine's state laws have to say by visiting the Maine State Legislature where you will find all of the state's laws and statutes.

What is the legal gambling age in Maine?

The gambling age in Maine varies based on what type of gambling you are considering. To play bingo and charitable games, players must be at least 16 years of age. To participate in the lottery or pari-mutuel wagering, players must be at least 18 years of age. To participate in any type of casino games such as slots, video poker or table games, players must be at least 21 years of age. Because US based sports betting is not legal in Maine, there is no stated legal gambling age for participating in any type of gambling of this nature. While most sportsbooks require their players to be 18 years of age to be eligible for play, we recommend that players adhere to the 21 years of age casino gambling requirement that is found in state statutes.

Will state based sports betting be available in Maine in the near future?

We wouldn't bet on it. The federal laws that are in place governing US based sports betting are being enforced by the courts as we've recently seen in New Jersey's situation. In addition, a large portion of the sports arena in the US is strongly opposed to the possibility of expanding the sports betting industry and are willing to invest a great deal of resources into fighting any efforts to do so. These parties include the NFL, NBA, MLB and NCAA. They are all very powerful influences that have a great deal of financial backing to throw at this fight. We do not expect to see any type of expansion to the US based sports book options anytime soon. For the time being and probably for a while into the future, legally licensed and regulated offshore sportsbooks are your best options.

Betting Smart in the State of Maine

The state of Maine is known for some pretty ritzy things. For instance, they're known for having outstanding lobster and clam chowder. They're also known for having over 60 lighthouses. And when it comes to scenery, it's very hard to beat the coast of a salt marsh. However, Maine isn't exactly known for its sports. Most of Maine's sports fans like New England-based teams, such as the Red Sox, the New England Patriots and the Boston Celtics. So while Maine itself may be bereft of sports teams, the citizens of the state are still avid fans.

Before you rush out there and place your money down on a team you love, let's first go over some important sports betting advice that just might enable you to win money while betting.

Important Sports Betting Advice to Heed

1: Learn to Manage Your Money

It's very hard to succeed as a sports gambler if you don't know how to manage your money. It helps if you live by the 10% rule. That is to say, you should never risk more than 10% of your stack. Even if you're starting out with only $100, your best bet is to pick a strong statistical team and to only place $10 down. When you win, you have $110 and thus 10% grows. By managing your money, you're obviously not going to catch The Donald with your bank account, but you can also avoid his curse of bankruptcy. As your account grows, that 10% grows and you can start winning more with each bet.

2: Find Favorable Numbers

There are three main types of bets you can make: Straight wins, point spreads, and over-under for final scores. The idea here is to find the most favorable bet for you. For instance, let's say the Cavs are playing the Celtics, and the stats show that each team has been scoring over 100 a game. The O/U for this game is 204, which when broken down averages to 102 per. A favorable number here might be placing that 10% down on the over, banking that the teams will combine for more than 204. Likewise with point spreads. Let's say the Broncos are going against the Jags. The Jaguars aren't known for their defense, so 17 points might be something Denver can easily clear. It depends on the situation and if you personally find the numbers favorable.

3: Gamble Only when the Time is Right

Although we're a gambling site, we'll be the first to tell you that sometimes you shouldn't bet. If you've been drinking or haven's slept in a while, don't bet. If you're frustrated, don't bet. If you've just lost a bunch and want to chase that money down, don't bet. Make sure you're in the right frame of mind, calm and level-headed, and that you can figure out everything that's going on. You need your wits about you to win money at gambling.

4: Research the Teams

How would you know the Cavs average over 100 a game unless you research? This is the type of stuff you want to find out. Find out how often teams score, how much they score, whether they cover or not, and other aspects of betting that will help you out. Find out which team is actually the favorite in the game, not just which team has the biggest point spread. Action is designed to induce bets from both sides, so a team with a 14-point edge isn't actually predicted to win by 14; that's simply the point at which oddsmakers feel people from both sides will start betting. Often enough it's wise to bet on a team to cover, but it depends on the team and how they're playing. You can only find this out through research.

5: Go with the Trends

Previous trends are a strong indicator of how a team will do going forward. For instance, let's say you find out that Alabama has covered in 90% of their games in which they've been favored. This is a strong indication that taking 'Bama to cover is the right move. Contrarily, if you find a team that fails to cover, then this is the way you want to bet. You want to bet with the trends, not as a fan and not as someone who's hopeful a team can reverse the trends. Go with the wind, not against it.

Our tips aren't etched-in-stone laws that must be followed. Feel free to research more yourself and to go your own way. However, we do know our sports betting, and we know that money management and trend monitoring will help you to win more money than any other method out there. There is no get-rich-quick scheme in gambling. It's all about managing your risks and ensuring your bets are statistically likely to pay off.