The Campaign for Fairer Gambling (CFG) released a statement after Governor Janet Mills of Maine reversed her intention veto a bill to legalize online slot machines and casino games.
Online Sports betting is legal in Maineonline gambling is largely illegal in the state. However, Governor Janet Mills has now authorized the online casino bill to pass. LD1164.
iGaming is coming to Maine. That’s according to a statement released earlier today by Gov. Janet Mills.
From the wording of the declaration, it appears she is letting it become law without her signature. pic.twitter.com/0GKMFjUlTC
– Steve Bittenbender (@Stepbitt) January 8, 2026
In his statementCFG states: “Supporters of legalization make false representations that it will replace illegal gambling. This is not the case – it normalizes activity, increasing the total market, total consumption, total harm and the illegal sector.
“Furthermore, the Mills administration has done little to try to combat illegal online gambling.”
They continue to suggest that slot games on mobile devices are the most addictive form of gambling, as they claim that they target anyone, anywhere, at any time and in any condition. The Fairer Playing Campaign’s statement also notes that each aggrieved player, on average, has an impact on several other players in their personal circle.
NAAiG also releases a statement, saying it is disappointed with the reversal of Gov Mills iGaming.
They say this can lead to significant family and community destruction, with the socio-economic costs of gambling harms impacting on state services and budgets.
Campaign for Fairer Gambling founder Derek Webb said: “I thought we had reached the point where there was consensus that the expansion of online gambling in the United States was a disaster. Janet Mills has proven that as governor she has failed to protect the people of Maine with integrity.”
Governor Janet Mills’ decision to reverse her long-standing opposition to online casino gaming and allow #iGambling The bill on his desk to become law represents a sharp departure from the governor’s previously stated position and ignores overwhelming public opposition, experts say… pic.twitter.com/U64fuCLspp
– NAAIG_Official (@NAAIG_Official) January 8, 2026
The group is not the only one to speak out on this turnaround, as the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG) also released a statement saying it was “deeply disappointed.”
The association says, “This decision represents a sharp departure from the Governor’s previously expressed position and ignores overwhelming public opposition, expert warnings from his own regulators, and a proven gaming framework that has delivered significant benefits to Maine’s communities and tribal nations for more than a decade.
Later in the statement, they say they will not accept the decision quietly and will ensure Maine people have the final say.
Featured Image: Credit to Quinti Soloviev on Wikimedia CommonsCC 4.0 license
The position Fairer Gaming Campaign Slams Maine Governor for Online Casino Approval appeared first on ReadWrite.