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LD 33

An Act To Amend The Laws Governing Fantasy Contests

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Craig Hickman

LD 33 requires all fantasy contest operators to remit 10% of gross revenue to Maine's General Fund, ending the small-operator exemption and broadening regulation.

Signed by Governor
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Bill Summary · LD 33

Summary — LD 33: An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Fantasy Contests

Status: Signed by Governor (May 23, 2025)
Introduced: January 8, 2025
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
Final Action: Passed to be enacted (House & Senate concurrence), engrossed with Committee Amendment “A” (S‑50)

Purpose

LD 33 revises Maine’s regulatory and tax treatment of “fantasy contests” by (1) amending the statutory definition of “fantasy contest” and (2) removing an existing revenue‑based exemption for small operators. The bill requires all fantasy contest operators to remit a percentage of gross fantasy contest revenue to the State.

Key provisions

  • Amends the legal definition of “fantasy contest.” (The text of the specific definitional changes is not included in the fiscal notes; the change may alter which products/activities qualify.)
  • Eliminates the existing exemption for operators with less than $100,000 in annual revenue — i.e., small operators previously exempted will now be covered.
  • Requires all fantasy contest operators to remit 10% of gross fantasy contest revenues to the State (General Fund).

Who is affected

  • Fantasy contest operators of all sizes, including those previously exempted because they generated under $100,000 annually.
  • The State General Fund, which will receive remittances from operators.
  • Regulators and enforcement entities responsible for administering collection and compliance (not specified in the fiscal notes).

Fiscal impact

  • Both fiscal notes (approved 4/14/2025 and 5/13/2025 for the engrossed version) identify a potential increase in General Fund revenue for the current biennium.
  • The amount of additional revenue is not estimated and “cannot be determined at this time”; it will depend on how many operators fall under the new requirements and the volume of gaming activity.
  • The fiscal notes do not provide estimates of state administrative costs related to implementation, auditing, or enforcement.

Legislative history & timeline

  • Referred to Veterans and Legal Affairs (Jan 2025); committee work sessions and votes (March–May 2025).
  • Committee recommended OTP‑AM (reported out with amendment), Committee Amendment “A” (S‑50) adopted.
  • Passed and sent for concurrence, consent calendar actions in May 2025.
  • Signed into law by the Governor on May 23, 2025.

Notes / Uncertainties

  • The summary above is based on fiscal notes and legislative actions. The full statutory text (including the precise new definition of “fantasy contest” and any compliance/reporting requirements) should be reviewed to determine operational and legal obligations for specific operators and to assess enforcement mechanisms and effective date(s).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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