Wabanaki Nations

Aroostook Band of Micmacs

The Aroostook Band of Micmacs is one of Maine's four federally recognized Wabanaki Nations and the most recently recognized of the four, achieving federal status in 1991. Like the Penobscot and Maliseet, the Micmacs selected Caesars as their commercial sports betting partner under LD 585.

At a Glance

Tribal SeatPresque Isle, Maine (Aroostook County)

Federal Recognition1991 (Aroostook Band of Micmacs Settlement Act)

Sportsbook PartnerCaesars Sportsbook

License TypeOnline sports wagering (LD 585)

Late Federal Recognition

The Aroostook Band of Micmacs stands out among the four Wabanaki Nations because they were not covered by the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act. The Band's federal recognition came eleven years later, in 1991, through a separate piece of legislation: the Aroostook Band of Micmacs Settlement Act. The delayed recognition created distinct legal questions for the Micmacs around the application of newer tribal-sovereignty frameworks — including, eventually, LD 585.

Geography

The Micmacs are headquartered in Presque Isle in northern Aroostook County. Like the Maliseet, the Micmacs are part of a broader people whose communities span the US-Canada border, with related First Nations across the Canadian Maritimes.

The Caesars Partnership

The Micmacs selected Caesars Sportsbook as their LD 585 commercial partner. Combined with the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet, this gave Caesars exclusive rights from three of the four Wabanaki tribes — leaving the Passamaquoddy alone as DraftKings' Maine partner.

Economic Impact

Sports betting revenue supplements other Micmac economic ventures and supports tribal services for community members in Aroostook County. The Micmac partnership marked one of the first significant commercial gaming arrangements available to the Band since federal recognition.