AUGUSTA, Maine — Lawmakers will soon consider a bill that would allow the state to sell lottery tickets over the Internet, a move supporters believe could increase revenue and discourage in-state buyers from purchasing tickets from other states.
LD 1880, which was only recently submitted, would allow the state to engage in online lottery sales no sooner than September 2013. Between now and then, the state’s director of alcoholic beverages and lottery operations must submit a proposal for how to set up a system.
The bill is scheduled for a public hearing next Monday before the Legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee.
Earlier this year, lawmakers were alerted to the expansion of online gambling made possible by a new ruling by the U.S. Department of Justice. That ruling reversed the DOJ’s interpretation of the 1961 Wire Act that banned online gambling and said state lotteries are not prohibited from offering online wagering within their state.
Many states moved quickly to allow online sales and Maine aims to become the latest.
Three lawmakers — Sen. Debra Plowman, R-Hampden, Rep. Linda Valentino, D-Saco, and Rep. Doug Damon, R-Bangor — attended a conference in Las Vegas in January to hear about the latest changes in the gambling industry. All three said they were left with the idea that online gambling, such as online poker and Internet sale of lottery tickets, is poised to explode.
“This is a very sophisticated business that we need to catch up on; that was a stark reality,” Plowman said in January.
With the introduction of the new bill, which Plowman has sponsored, it looks as though the Legislature will pass this year on a comprehensive bill that sets gambling regulation policy for the future.
Since casino proposals first cropped up in Maine, the Legislature has been mostly reactive in terms of policy. All measures have gone out to a statewide vote, but among about a dozen initiatives in the last decade and a half, only two have passed.
Hollywood Casino in Bangor has been in operation since 2005. A casino in Oxford County was approved in 2010 and is under construction.
During the November 2011 election, voters rejected two proposals that would have drastically expanded gambling in Maine.
Rep. Michael Carey, D-Lewiston, the lead Democrat on the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, agreed that the bill is really a placeholder for more comprehensive legislation down the road.
“This is an area of the law and an industry that is changing rapidly,” he said. “We want to make sure Maine is not left behind.”
Carey said his biggest concern is the potential impact of online sales on thousands of corner stores across the state that sell lottery tickets.
“My first priority is to make sure they’re not left behind because a federal law changed,” he said.
Good timing, considering the other lottery-related story today.
http://bangor-launch.newspackstaging.com/2012/03/15/politics/maine-ranks-17th-on-new-lottery-sucker-list-georgia-1st/
than why can’t I bet on horse racing on line?
Three lawmakers — Sen. Debra Plowman, R-Hampden, Rep. Linda Valentino, D-Saco, and Rep. Doug Damon, R-Bangor — attended a conference in Las Vegas in January to hear about the latest changes in the gambling industry. All three said they were left with the idea that online gambling, such as online poker and Internet sale of lottery tickets, is poised to explode.
Just curious, how did these three get picked to go on a conference to Las Vegas to attend this conference, and what do any of these folks know about gaming??
All 3 are on the Legal & Vets committee in the legislature. That’s the committee that oversees gambling issues in Maine.
AND, WHERE DID THE FUNDS COME FROM TO PAY FOR THE JUNKET?
great now we can bet the farm and don’t even have to leave the couch, this will benefit the ones who doesn’t have a ride to the store and have to use public trans. we know who that is…lets fleece the poor in another way….geeeeeeeesh
What could possibly go wrong …… ?
High numbers on welfare, unemployment, social security, mainecare and we just expanded the ability to gamble in this state with tables at Hollywood Slots and in Oxford. Now they want to make it easier to further gamble. I guess its okay to gamble as long as the proceeds go to the government. Online poker has be restricted because the government wasn’t getting its money.
The lottery is taxation for people who flunked math. Online lotteries should give them a way to give themselves a self induced tax increase.
Didn’t Maine finish 17th in the nation in a “Lottery Idiots” survey discussing how lotteries were great ways at convincing the poor slobs to give to the rich…So now we need more ways to convince them? Are we looking to be like Georgia (number one)? I have to tell you, anytime we’re trying to be like Georgia, we really do need to hit the brakes.
Sen. Debra Plowman, R-Hampden, Rep. Linda Valentino, D-Saco, and Rep. Doug Damon, R-Bangor — attended a conference in Las Vegas in January to hear about the latest changes in the gambling industry.
Moe, Larry and Curley with Las Vegas makeup!! How about we put Lottery Ticket dispensers in all restrooms too!!
Just what we really need… Next Election… OUT!!! I hope they enjoyed their visit to Vegas. Did it take a trip to Vegas to come up with this BRIGHT IDEA?
How about we put Lottery Ticket dispensers in all restrooms?
There is only so much in state… Oh, I almost forgot, ROBBERIES!!
I’m glad that I don’t gamble, the only time I went to a casino was to see a noted comedian, and that was in Conn. You are just asking for problems, and it’s also a device that just simply allows people to divulge credit card information. It’s also a way of people tracking your internet activity and perhaps even your whereabouts………..but ….I don’t gamble, so….I don’t care!
I’m wondering???? does anyone know how a bill becomes a law in this State? So, if they do….what happens when a bill is introduced? What happens if a bill is between committees? What happens if the Legislative Council, during the short session, hasn’t considered the bill, but yet a bill is considered, after the “council” has met?
What’s a committee’s respnsibility?, what’s the leadership’s responsibility?…….what’s the Legislature’s responsibility?……are they ALL supposed to go the way that their constituency says?….Or are they supposed to do what they know is right for the state?
I’ve seen so many things happen, within a matter of hours, and when you are involving people’s lives, the people that vote…..they deserve better and we expect and deserve true representation.
Just so you will know, Maine has this “By Request” mandate…..meaning that people can, by mail, request their legislator to introduce a bill. The bill is clearly marked “by request”…..and that’s the kiss of death ………I’ve never seen one even get through committee, not mine or anyone else’s. What usually happens is: the legislator or senator comes to the committee, and stiipulates quite succinctly that this is NOT their bill.. If it’s a good idea, they will wait, so they can introduce it on their own……and claim credit. Both party’s do this….often. I implore anyone to show me, within the last 40 years exactly when a “By Request” bill was passed, in it’s original submission, without amendment.