Problematic social media posts have positioned the chief Maine sports activities betting regulator on the sidelines, with the potential to delay the state’s rollout.
The Maine Playing Management Unit positioned govt director Milton Champion on paid depart final week, as first reported by the Portland Press Herald. The motion follows two social media posts this month with reportedly sexist and racist undertones.
The indefinite depart comes because the MGCU is in its second public remark interval for ME sports activities betting guidelines. Champion just lately instructed LSR it could be a minimum of till January 2024 for a launch. That timeline is now in query.
Champion’s social media points
The social media posts in query got here from Champion’s Twitter account, @EDRegulator, which has 66 followers. He deleted the tweets.
The primary got here on Might 6 as Champion lamented after being instructed “women” was an unprofessional time period. “Nowadays, I suppose Bitches’ is healthier,” Champion tweeted.
The second got here on Might 14, when he responded to a tweet exhibiting a video of Patriot Entrance members marching in Washington with “A minimum of they aren’t burning down cities and looting shops.” The Anti-Defamation League lists Patriot Entrance as a white supremacist group.
How will this have an effect on Maine sports activities betting?
The MGCU launched its second batch of proposed rules final week. Stakeholders should submit feedback by June 16, however past that, the scenario is murky, in response to Maine Playing Management Board chairman Steven Silver.
“I’m hoping to have extra readability concerning the scenario earlier than feedback are due,” Silver mentioned, declining to remark particularly on the Champion scenario. “That may present a clearer image as as to if there will probably be any delays.”
Champion beforehand instructed LSR if the MGCU strikes ahead with this draft, a launch by January 2024 is feasible. With Champion out, just lately employed deputy director Matthew Motti is on the company’s helm.
The place Maine sports activities betting sits
Gov. Janet Mills signed sports activities betting into legislation in spring 2022 following a number of years of legalization makes an attempt, together with one effort which Mills vetoed. Champion launched the primary set of draft guidelines in January, receiving greater than 500 feedback.
Regardless of the numerous suggestions, Champion mentioned he wouldn’t overhaul the foundations and would proceed to take the method slowly.
The director did, nevertheless, ease on the promoting rules that originally required him to approve all TV adverts.
Maine sportsbook ecosystem
There will probably be few choices for sports activities bettors in Maine each time the business will get off the bottom. The 4 tribes within the state management on-line entry, three of whom have partnered with Caesars.
The Sports activities Betting Alliance mentioned Maine’s revenue-sharing settlement with tribes would maintain member apps out of the state. SBA members embody BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics and FanDuel.
BetMGM has, nevertheless, partnered with a number of OTBs within the state for in-person sports activities betting. Churchill Downs Inc. and Penn Leisure additionally run casinos within the state, that means TwinSpires and Barstool in-person sportsbooks are possible.