CT Sports Betting At Roadblock With Tribes, Says OTB Operator

• An OTB operator wrote an opinion piece on how he believes the tribal casino owners are blocking their opportunity to offer sports betting and the state needs to step in.
• This is a perfect time for the state to pass this legislation and many believe the Governor will work to move toward the idea.

HARTFORD, Conn. – An Off-track betting operator has begun to advocate for the legalization of sports betting in Connecticut but believes tribal owners are the “roadblock” they have to overcome.

Though the OTB operator is working to get the state to progress to allow sports betting, the tribes that own Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun claim they already have exclusive rights to offer sports betting at the tribal casino.

Ted Taylor is the president of Sportech Venues, which is a division of a United Kingdom company that operates multiple OTB facilities in Connecticut restaurants and bars.

Taylor wrote an opinion article in the CT News Junkie entitled “The State Must Remove the Artificial Barriers to Sports Betting” to call on local officials to allow the company to offer legal sports betting.

“The clear solution is for the State to break the stalemate and license the State’s existing gaming operators, including the Tribes,” said Taylor. “Rather than allowing more time to pass, Connecticut can act now to protect its consumers and its financial stability this year, while there is still time to make a meaningful impact on State finances. The State will secure additional revenues and consumers will enjoy competitive choice, innovation, and safety in gaming entertainment.”

Many believe Connecticut receiving sports betting or even online gaming is unlikely especially in the legislative session expected to happen next month. But in the session, Gov. Ned Lamont will be addressing coronavirus pandemic issues and sports betting has been said to be in the conversation.

COVID-19 has pushed many states to lean more to the thought of legalizing online sports betting and online gaming because of the health concerns and the amount of revenue that could be generated by the state.

Before the pandemic pushed the legislative session, Gov. Lamont supported tribes providing sports betting in casinos and OTBs but opposed tribes having online gaming and sports betting off the retail location.

While Connecticut sports betting still seems like a stretch this upcoming special session, support from OTB operators may be the extra push necessary to get lawmakers to consider setting up regulations for the industry again.

News tags: Connecticut | Ned Lamont | off-track betting | Sportech Venues | Ted Taylor