Connecticut Sports Betting Bill To Be Officially Drafted

• Legal sports betting in Connecticut is that much closer to becoming a reality in 2020 as CT SB 21 has been given the green light to be drafted into a bill.
• The Governor of Connecticut Ned Lamont is in favor of legalizing sports betting with the right bill.
• The current proposal being drafted will be exclusive to the Tribes of Connecticut.

HARTFORD, Conn. – Sports betting bill proposal CT SB21, which would make sports betting legal in Connecticut, was heard by the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security on February 11. The Committee voted to draft the proposal for the legalization of sports betting in the Nutmeg State during the hearing.

This means that the bill proposal will now be written into a full-blown bill to make legal gambling on sporting events for bettors in the state legal. The written draft will be heard by the Committee in Connecticut on February 25.

CT SB21 would legalize sports betting in Connecticut through both internet and retail platforms. The one glitch in the proposal is the exclusivity that it gives to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut. They would have the sole monopoly on gambling on sports matchups in the state.

What The Governor Wants For Connecticut

Governor Ned Lamont has spoken against having the Tribes be the only businesses allowed to offer sportsbooks. While Lamont is in favor of legal sports betting in Connecticut, he would prefer it be done on a more broad spectrum to allow for other businesses to have sportsbooks at their establishments if they were in the market to do so.

During his State of the State Address, the Governor stated he wanted Connecticut to get in on the sports betting market as neighboring states have. He would like to move forward as a state to be in line with other states that are reaping the benefits of a new revenue stream.

As it stands, Connecticut sports betting could provide as much as $20 million in annual revenue from the sports betting market. If a proper draft is drawn up, the progress for CT SB21 could continue. Of course, some amendments may need to be made to any draft presented on February 25 during the public hearing.

The state has until June 5 to make their final decisions regarding sports betting legalization for the year. The continued movement of this proposal is a big positive for sports bettors in Connecticut.

With the Governor being an advocate to legalize the gambling on sports, the only thing that’s left is a bill he can agree with to place his signature on. Lawmakers have two weeks to put together a proper draft to get the ball rolling for 2020 legal sports betting for the good people of CT.

News tags: Connecticut | CT SB21 | Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security | Mashantucket Pequot Tribe | Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut | Ned Lamont