All bets are off at Maine’s first and only sports betting bar.
The Maine Gambling Control Unit revoked the betting license from Oddfellahs Bar and Sportsbook in Portland just weeks before the Super Bowl.
The bar is still open and operating in Portland, so patrons can enjoy food and drinks while watching the big game, they just can’t bet on it.
“It’s the attraction — you come here to bet, not just to watch,” said Zach Adams, a regular customer at Oddfellahs.
Oddfellahs opened in September, operating under a temporary license from the Maine Gambling Control Unit.
But last month, the state agency informed the bar that its license had been denied.
Oddfellahs is owned by a company that also runs a racetrack. The state’s notice stated that the company’s license permits betting at the track in Cumberland but not at the bar in Portland.
“We were completely shocked,” said David Moran, the bar’s general manager.
State officials declined to comment on the issue, as it is actively being litigated. But Moran says he does not understand why the state approved the bar’s initial license and later denied it.
“Having to pivot right before the Super Bowl starts, it’s kind of a lot of unknown variables right now,” Moran said.
It’s a significant business loss for the bar. And without a license, customers who placed winning bets can’t cash in their winnings. Moran said there could be as much as $30,000 in unclaimed payouts.
If the bar never gets its license back, Moran says it’s unclear what will happen to those winnings.
“Hopefully we can get some answers from the state this week,” said Moran.
Oddfellahs is appealing the state’s decision. The bar’s owner said he hopes to get things back up and running as soon as possible.
