Despite a stunning move by bill sponsor Sen. Louis Luchini on Thursday, the Maine Senate passed an amended version of his sports betting bill, 23-12, in the first extra day of the current session. Luchini, who is openly opposed to requiring digital platforms be tethered to brick-and-mortar casinos, attempted to torpedo his own bill, saying, “Tethering is being driven by the casino industry. It’s bad for our constituency … it’s anti-competitive. It makes the casinos the gatekeepers of who will be able to operate in Maine.”

Sources say everyone from operators to the governor’s office were surprised at Luchini’s decision to speak out against the bill. Eleven of Luchini’s peers agreed with him, but that wasn’t enough to stop the bill from moving forward. It’s expected to be sent immediately to the House, possibly for a vote today. The bill would allow for statewide mobile wagering, and sets the tax rate at 10% for brick-and-mortar wagering revenue and 15% for digital wagering.