Governor Lamont Submits Connecticut Sports Betting Bill

Governor Ned Lamont has filed a bill to legalize sports betting in Connecticut.
The Connecticut General Assembly has until June to approve the legislation.
Retail and mobile sports betting would be made legal through the Governor’s proposal with a 2022 launch of the industry.

HARTFORD, Conn. – If it wasn’t already clear, it is now abundantly so that Governor Ned Lamont wants to see Connecticut sports betting legalized, with the inclusion of the activity in his budget proposal as well as filing a bill on the matter.

But does this automatically mean that Connecticut will make sports wagering legal in their 2021 legislative session?

No. Lawmakers within the Connecticut General Assembly will still need to see a majority vote on the legislation before Governor Lamont can sign off on it turning it into law.

However, this is not to say that this isn’t a huge deal as those within the legislature now have a front-row seat in seeing how strongly the Governor feels about making sportsbooks legal in Connecticut which could help matters when it comes time to vote on the Governor’s Bill.

What Lamont Is Saying For Sports Betting In CT

Lamont is currently in talks with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Mohegan Tribe of Indians in Connecticut that would have each expand their gaming businesses to add sportsbooks and mobile gaming to their Tribal Gaming Compacts. This is ultimately what his bill would be legalizing.

“Our neighboring states are moving forward with sports betting and i-gaming, and Connecticut should not leave these opportunities for other states to benefit from our inaction,” said Lamont. “My administration has been in active negotiations with our tribal partners to bring the state’s gaming economy into the digital age.”

His bill proposal has sports betting, both retail and mobile sportsbooks, along with iCasino platforms, esports, and DFS markets becoming legal. Not only was his bill filed for these outlet expansions with the Tribes and statewide access, but he also spoke of the additional revenue stream that they would bring in when he added them to his budget proposal speech on Wednesday.

The 2023 fiscal year expects $47.3 million in annual profits from this newly filed legislation. Legal sports betting in Connecticut and the other gaming would launch in 2022 to provide for the 2023 budget proposal.

Revenue expected to be taken from the legal sports betting industry is set at 25% like that of the slots already in place at the casinos in the state.

What’s Next For Connecticut?

The Connecticut General Assembly will adjourn for the year in June. It is expected that legal sports betting in Connecticut will be seen either with the Governor’s bill or another piece of legislation.

DraftKings has already partnered with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation in preparation for a legal sports wagering industry in the state. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation runs Foxwoods Resort Casino. Kambi has partnered with the Mohegan Tribe of Indians.

With each Tribe partnering with sportsbook operators and Governor Lamont backing his own legislation, it seems everything is in place for the legalization of sports betting in Connecticut in 2021, pending the formalities of committee hearings and approvals with the General Assembly which are the only missing puzzle piece for a sports gambling market to enter the state.

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Christina Monroe

Christina has been writing for as long as she can remember and does dedicated research on the newly regulated sports betting market. She comes from a family of sports lovers that engage in friendly bets from time to time. During the winter months, you can find Christina baking cookies and beating the entire staff at Mario Kart…the N64 version of course.