Casinos in Maine now have the option of adding no-dealer poker tables to their floors after Jackpot Digital Inc. received license approval from the Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU).
This is a big win for the company, as it marks its first state-issued license in the United States. With this license, Jackpot Digital can now set up their gaming machines all across Maine.
The company posted the announcement on its X account.
🎉 Maine says YES to Jackpot Digital! 🎉
Jackpot Digital has received its first state-issued gaming license in the U.S. This milestone allows us to bring our cutting-edge Jackpot Blitz® electronic poker tables to casinos across Maine, marking a major step in our U.S. expansion. pic.twitter.com/lgaA6Per0o
— Jackpot Digital (@JackpotDigital) February 27, 2025
"Receiving approval from MGCU is a major accomplishment," said Jake Kalpakian, CEO of Jackpot Digital. "Until now, our U.S. licenses have been exclusively through our valued Indian Gaming casino partners, who issue licenses for their respective properties. A state license, however, grants us access to the entire state. We have several additional state licenses pending approval, representing a major expansion opportunity into larger state-regulated commercial casinos," added.
There are currently two casinos in Maine. Hollywood Casino in Bangor and Oxford Casino in Oxford County, which is owned and operated by Churchill Downs Inc.
The Penobscot Indian Nation used to run Penobscot High Stakes Bingo in Old Town, which was the only tribal gaming center in Maine. The bingo hall closed its doors for good in 2015.
With the green light from the MGCU, Jackpot Digital is ready to roll out their Jackpot Blitz® product to gaming operators throughout Maine. Kalpakian expressed excitement about the approval because it signals a new chapter for the company. The company specializes in the development and deployment of dealerless multiplayer electronic poker ETGs. Today, nearly all forms of gambling are legal in Maine, including sports betting, which went live in 2023. You can play slot machines and table games at casinos in Bangor and Oxford; you can bet on horse races and sports games; and you can play the lottery, both state-run and national.Maine's Gaming Community Continues To Expand
Online Casinos Remain Illegal in Maine
Yes, there are options, but online gambling is not one of them. iGaming is not yet legal in Maine.
There are currently no real money online casinos, poker rooms, or sportsbooks, but there have been some legislative efforts to change that. An online casino bill was introduced last year but died in April.
LD1777 was a proposal aimed at setting up a regulated system for online gambling in Maine, similar to the current system used for online sports betting. One of the key aspects of this plan was to allow federally recognized tribal communities in Maine to oversee and control the online gambling operations.
So far, a new bill has yet to be introduced.
Looking Ahead: More Licenses on the Horizon?
As Jackpot Digital celebrates this milestone, it’s not slowing down. The company is actively pursuing licenses in other states, anticipating further expansion.
Their flagship product, the Jackpot Blitz® ETG, features a dealerless poker experience blending traditional multiplayer games with modern digital technology. With the MGCU license in hand, they’re well-positioned to boost revenue opportunities and transform player experiences in Maine.
And if you live in a state where online casinos are legal, you have additional options to play poker online.
You can practice strategies while playing many variations of the game. But remember that if you do play, always set limits and never gamble more than you can afford to lose. Please, always gamble responsibly.
