In-person sports betting is officially open for business in Maine.
Caesars Entertainment, in partnership with First Tracks Investments LLC, announced the opening of Oddfellahs in downtown Portland on Friday. The Caesars Sportsbook-affiliated venue is the first retail sports betting location in the Pine Tree State.
To celebrate the launch, Portland Mayor Mark Dion placed a ceremonial first bet at the Vegas-style sports bar. Dion was joined by representatives from the Portland City Council, the Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU), Caesars Sportsbook, and First Tracks.
“We’d like to thank Governor Janet Mills, the Maine Gambling Control Unit, the Portland City Council and the entire state legislature for making today possible,” said Eric Hession, president of Caesars Digital. “It’s great to see the momentum following our launch of mobile sports wagering in the state through our historic partnership with three of the Wabanaki Nations.
"With the first in-person sportsbook now operational, we look forward to collaborating with First Tracks on additional in-person opportunities in Maine.”
'Elevated wagering experience'
According to Caesars, the venue offers “an elevated sports viewing and wagering experience” through self-service betting kiosks, a ticket window, and 36 screens streaming various sporting events. In addition, customers using the Caesars Sportsbook mobile platform can make convenient cash deposits and withdrawals at the venue.
Oddfellahs also offers food and beverage services, including a special brunch menu for NFL games and English Premier League matches. The sports bar is open for lunch and dinner daily, opening at noon Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. on weekends.
“Building something new is always a challenge, but great teams make great things possible,” added Michael Cianchette, CEO of First Tracks Investments LLC. “This is an exciting venture for Maine’s harness racing industry, Wabanaki tribes, and sports fans across the state to access a new entertainment venue. We’re excited for whatever comes next and look forward to providing sustainable, responsible opportunities.”
Maine sports betting
Maine is one of the more recent states to introduce legal sports betting, with Governor Janet Mills signing LD 585 into law in 2022.
Since its launch in Nov. 2023, Maine sports betting has been limited to two online operators – DraftKings Sportsbook and Caesars Sportsbook. Earlier this year, Maine Senator Joe Baldacci expressed his disappointment with the lack of retail sports betting in the state:
“It is both surprising and unacceptable that not a single retail operator has commenced operations,” wrote Baldacci in a letter to MGCU executive director Milton Champion. “There’s no other place where you could find this level of stagnation.”
The latest figures from the MGCU revealed that the two online sportsbooks drew a $35.6 million handle in August, representing a 17% decrease from the $42.8 million in July. Still, July saw the second-highest handle since launch. With a 9.8% hold, Maine also reported $3.5 million in sports betting revenue, down 40% month-on-month. DraftKings dominated with 84% of the market share.
