The hope for Maine sports betting in 2020 had been renewed when the state Senate over rode the governors veto of the bill last week. However, the state House decided to vote to sustain that veto. So much for that.

Tuesday’s 85-57 House tally fell 10 votes short of the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto, and came less than a week after the state Senate voted to override by a one-vote margin, 30-10. The measure, approved by lawmakers last year, would have made Maine the 22nd state to legalize online and in-person wagering on sports.

The bill would have allowed online entities like Draft Kings and others to obtain a state license for legal online sports betting that could be done with a mobile device from any location. Sports wagers could also be made at casinos or off-track betting parlors.

The 57 votes in support of the veto, came from a near-even split of 28 Republicans and 27 Democrats, plus two independents. The 85 votes in favor of the override included 25 Republicans, 56 Democrats and four independents.

Bill critics have cited moral opposition to expanding gambling in Maine, as well as support for the state’s two casinos, in Oxford and Bangor. Casino operators favor tethering sports betting to physical locations, including off-track betting facilities. For more on the failure of Maine sports betting this year visit the Press Herald.