Problematic social media posts have placed the chief Maine sports betting regulator on the sidelines, with the possible to delay the state’s rollout.
The Maine Gambling Handle Unit placed executive director Milton Champion on paid leave final week, as 1st reported by the Portland Press Herald. The action follows two social media posts this month with reportedly sexist and racist undertones.
The indefinite leave comes as the MGCU is in its second public comment period for ME sports betting guidelines. Champion not too long ago told LSR it would be at least till January 2024 for a launch. That timeline is now in query.
Champion’s social media concerns
The social media posts in query came from Champion’s Twitter account, @EDRegulator, which has 66 followers. He deleted the tweets.
The 1st came on May perhaps six as Champion lamented immediately after becoming told “ladies” was an unprofessional term. “In this day and age, I guess Bitches’ is superior,” Champion tweeted.
The second came on May perhaps 14, when he responded to a tweet displaying a video of Patriot Front members marching in Washington with “At least they are not burning down cities and looting shops.” The Anti-Defamation League lists Patriot Front as a white supremacist group.
How will this have an effect on Maine sports betting?
The MGCU released its second batch of proposed regulations final week. Stakeholders ought to submit comments by June 16, but beyond that, the predicament is murky, according to Maine Gambling Handle Board chairman Steven Silver.
“I’m hoping to have much more clarity about the predicament ahead of comments are due,” Silver mentioned, declining to comment especially on the Champion predicament. “That will deliver a clearer image as to whether or not there will be any delays.”
Champion previously told LSR if the MGCU moves forward with this draft, a launch by January 2024 is doable. With Champion out, not too long ago hired deputy director Matthew Motti is at the agency’s helm.
Exactly where Maine sports betting sits
Gov. Janet Mills signed sports betting into law in spring 2022 following numerous years of legalization attempts, such as one particular work which Mills vetoed. Champion released the 1st set of draft guidelines in January, getting much more than 500 comments.
In spite of the important feedback, Champion mentioned he would not overhaul the guidelines and would continue to take the approach gradually.
The director did, even so, ease on the marketing regulations that initially necessary him to approve all Television advertisements.
Maine sportsbook ecosystem
There will be handful of alternatives for sports bettors in Maine anytime the market gets off the ground. The 4 tribes in the state handle on the internet access, 3 of whom have partnered with Caesars.
The Sports Betting Alliance mentioned Maine’s income-sharing agreement with tribes would retain member apps out of the state. SBA members incorporate BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics and FanDuel.
BetMGM has, even so, partnered with numerous OTBs in the state for in-individual sports betting. Churchill Downs Inc. and Penn Entertainment also run casinos in the state, which means TwinSpires and Barstool in-individual sportsbooks are probably.
