Online Lottery And Sports Betting Bills Progress In Connecticut
Joint Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee advances SB 540 out of committee
Progress in legalised online lottery activity and sports betting is reported from Connecticut this week, where a joint sitting of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee advanced bill SB 540 Thursday on a vote of 28 vs.15.
The bill is described in Legislature documentation as:
“To authorize sports wagering in the state to the extent permitted under federal law and to authorize the Connecticut Lottery Corporation to offer lottery draw games through the corporation’s Internet web site.
Part of the descriptive text reads:
(1) “Gaming entity” means a casino gaming facility in the state, the Connecticut Lottery Corporation established pursuant to section 12-802 of the general statutes, a race track in the state at which racing events are licensed to be conducted, a fronton in the state at which the game of jai alai is licensed to be played, an off-track betting facility in the state operated by the Department of Consumer Protection or by a licensee authorized to operate the off-track betting system or any other individual, entity or facility residing or located in the state and licensed by the department to offer wagering;
(2) “Interactive sports wagering platform” or “platform” means an individual or entity that offers sports wagering over the Internet, including through an Internet web site or a mobile device, on behalf of a gaming entity.
The full text of the bill can be accessed here: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2018/TOB/s/2018SB-00540-R00-SB.htm
Online Gambling Legalisation Could Face Delays In Connecticut
House Speaker warns that the General Assembly is set to adjourn on May 9 and has a heavy schedule
Hopes that the state of Connecticut may join the number of US states offering legal online gambling may be impacted by a warning from House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz Tuesday that he would not be surprised if the legislature takes no action this year on expanded gambling.
Aresimowicz noted that the General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn on May 9, and lawmakers are battling over competing interests on the future of gambling in the state.
“I don’t know that we’re going to finish anything up this session,’’ Aresimowicz told reporters Tuesday at the state Capitol. “We need to figure out what’s the best for the state of Connecticut, and that always includes our large cities. I would not be surprised’ if nothing happens this year.”
The Speaker is currently campaigning to initiate a broader overall study on all forms of gambling, including online gambling, sports wagering and fantasy leagues.
“There’s a lot of moving parts, and not to have a comprehensive plan makes it more difficult,’’ Aresimowicz said. “I’m not sure where it lands. It’s a work in progress.’’
Connecticut faces declining revenue from tribal casinos operated by the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes. The money from the two tribes peaked in the 2007 fiscal year at $430 million and has been dropping ever since. The state is expected to collect a projected $267 million in the current fiscal year, but that number is projected to drop slightly below $200 million when the Springfield casino by MGM opens in the fall.