Legal sports gambling has begun in Maine.The first bets could be placed at 9 a.m. Friday.The Department of Public Safety and the Gambling Control Unit are running the system.Caesars Entertainment, Inc. said its flagship sports wagering platform, Caesars Sportsbook, is accepting sports wagers on mobile and desktop in Maine. Caesars Sportsbook launches through Caesars’ partnership with three of the Wabanaki Nations: the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Mi’kmaq Nation and the Penobscot Nation, furthering Caesars Entertainment’s longtime commitment to supporting Indian gaming.“Maine sports fans deserve an elevated sports wagering experience that matches the pedigree of sports fandom in New England,” said Eric Hession, President of Caesars Digital. “The launch of Caesars Sportsbook delivers on that pedigree with a platform built for the modern sports fan 21 and older with exciting ways to wager responsibly on the sports they love.”“Penobscot Nation is excited to partner with Caesars Sportsbook, the Mi’kmaq Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians to bring online sports betting to Maine,” said Chief Kirk Francis of the Penobscot Nation. “We chose to partner with Caesars over other companies because of Caesars’ decades-long history of working with Tribal Nations throughout the country, their commitment to Tribal sovereignty and their understanding of our State’s deep history with horse racing. When consumers use the Caesars Sportsbook app they can do so knowing that they are supporting the vast majority of the Wabanaki Nations and a company that operates with respect and a commitment to Tribal Nations and a deep understanding of Mainers.”“The Mi’kmaq Nation is proud to launch mobile sports wagering in Maine jointly with the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and Caesars Sportsbook,” said Chief Edward J. Peter-Paul of the Mi’kmaq Nation. “We appreciate the work of the Maine State Legislature, the Governor, and the Maine Gambling Control Unit to bring sports betting to the State in a way that promotes gaming integrity and offers a vitally needed economic opportunity to each of the Wabanaki Nations. The Mi’kmaq Nation is committed to working with its Tribal Nation partners, Caesars Sportsbook and State officials to offer a robust and well-regulated sports betting industry in Maine for the benefit of the Wabanaki Nations, the State, and the public.”“The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians is thrilled to offer the first legal online sports wagering in Maine in partnership with the Penobscot Nation, the Mi’kmaq Nation, and Caesars Sportsbook,” said Chief Clarissa Sabattis of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. “Our three Wabanaki Nations searched long and hard for a partner who shares Maine values. We found that partner in Caesars Sportsbook. Caesars is committed to helping make all our tribal and non-tribal communities stronger and safer. The revenues from sports wagering will be used by our tribal governments and the State to support law enforcement, health care, housing, and education throughout Maine. Working together, we are stronger.”On Wednesday, licensed operators and their management service providers and their suppliers were allowed to begin advertising to accept registrations.To make a wager, you must be 21 years old.Maine joins more than 30 states in allowing sports gambling. A law making it legal went into effect in August 2022, but authorities in the state favored a slow rollout that required gamblers to wait months before placing their first wagers.The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for legalized sports betting about five years ago. Recently, some states have sought to step up programs for problem gamblers as the market grows.In Maine, mobile and online wagering is also expected to provide Mobile and online wagering is expected to account for 85% of the sports betting market in Maine, as well as revenue to the state’s Native American tribes. The tribes were given control of the online sports betting market.Each tribe can select its own vendor, meaning there could be up to four licenses for the Penobscot Nation, Passamaquoddy tribes at Indian Township and Pleasant Point, Houlton Band of Maliseets, and Mi’kmaq.Casinos in the state are also among the businesses that can request licenses.If you or someone you know may have a problem with gambling, please contact 211 Maine. 1-800 GAMBLER will direct you to 211 as well.