Tribal Support Could Make Connecticut Sports Betting A Reality

• A sports betting bill in Connecticut could give the state tribes exclusive rights to sports betting.
• Online sports betting seems to be in the discussion as well.
• Sports betting was legalized in Connecticut back in 2017 but more legislative approval is needed.

HARTFORD, Conn. – Lawmakers announced their intentions on Wednesday to legalize Connecticut sports betting in 2020.

The bill in question was introduced by state senator Cathy Osten. In June 2019, Sen. Osten introduced An Act Concerning Jobs In And Revenue From The Gaming Industry during a special legislative session.

This bill could potentially lead to the state having legal sports betting in the near future.

This bill gives the Mohegan and Pequots tribes in Connecticut exclusive rights to operate sportsbooks in the state. On top of that, mobile sports betting   shall be made legal as well.

When this bill was first introduced, Governor Ned Lamont quickly dismissed the bill. His team does not believe that the tribes should have exclusive rights to sports betting. Other lawmakers do not see it that way.

“This is about making sure that moving forward, everybody has a slice of the pie, that we don’t put people against each other,” said State Sen. Dennis Bradley.

The Long Legalization Process For Connecticut Sports Betting

Technically, Connecticut sports betting is already legal. In 2017, the state formally legalized sports betting. However, there are a couple of more steps needing to be taken before sportsbooks can open in the state.

The legalization in 2017 only declared that sports betting was legal but it did not give the state any rules and regulations for sports betting. Due to that, another legislative session is needed to come up with said rules and regulations.

That is why state lawmakers are discussing the bill that Sen. Osten has introduced. This bill will give the licensing requirements and authority to a certain commission in order to move forward with their sports betting launch. It is essentially the same bill that was introduced in 2019, so lawmakers need to convince the governor that this plan is best for Connecticut.

“We should right now be enjoying revenue from sports betting as other states are doing. We should not be putting jobs at risk from our casinos that are good, well-paying middle-class jobs,” said State Sen. Bob Duff.

Soon, the actual debates for Connecticut sports betting can begin. The legislative session for Connecticut begins on February 5 and the session ends on May 6.

News tags: Bob Duff | Cathy Osten | Connecticut | Dennis Bradley | Mohegan Tribe | Ned Lamont | Pequots Tribe