Connecticut House of Representatives Passes Sports Betting Bill
The Connecticut House of Representatives moved sports betting one step closer to legalization in the state. On Thursday, the House voted 122-21 to legalize sports wagering and online casino games. The next step in the legislative process is for the Senate to vote on the bill.
The Connecticut Sports Betting Bill
There were some fears that the Connecticut House of Representatives would not pass the sports betting bill. Although, when the vote was released, the margin was nearly unanimous.
The bill authorizes the Connecticut Lottery and the two tribal casinos in the state to take sports wagers. The casinos will also offer online sports betting, and a mobile lottery will be added for residents.
The Next Steps Following the Connecticut House
Governor Ned Lamont included sports betting in his annual budget after crafting a deal with the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot Tribes. The support for sports betting is present in Connecticut, but the Senate needs to agree.
The governor made a deal with the two tribes in March. They wanted exclusive rights to online casino gaming, but they agreed to split sports betting with the state lottery.
The Senate is expected to pass sports betting this week, and there is no doubt that Governor Lamont will sign the bill. The biggest adversary for Connecticut sports betting will be the Department of the Interior.
The Department of the Interior should pass the tribal compact for sports wagering, but legalization is never inevitable on the federal level.
Governor Lamont is very excited about sports wagering in Connecticut. It will be very beneficial for the state to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
After the House passed the bill, Lamont spoke to the media about the monumental step in the legislative process.
“I look forward to this measure’s swift passage in the Senate, so we can start the federal process of ensuring this legislation and agreement is authorized.”
Other lawmakers claimed their excitement for the passage of the sports wagering bill. Representative Greg Howard said,
“It’s been five years in the making, and I think today is a great day for the state of Connecticut.”
Details of the Bill
There are still some chances that the sports betting bill could be amended in the Senate. There is little doubt that it will pass, but some lawmakers may want to raise complaints. If the bill does not drastically change, Connecticut will have one of the best online gambling frameworks in the United States.
Lawmakers aim to enact sports betting by football season to take advantage of the sport’s popularity. The bill will feature brick and mortar and online sports wagering.
There will be up to 15 landlocked sportsbooks in the state and multiple online skins from the tribes and lottery. All providers will be taxed at 18% on online casino gaming. It will increase to 20% after five years.
The sports betting tax percentage will stay locked at 13.75%. Projections have been very lucrative for Connecticut. Estimates have shown that the state will gain $19.3 million in taxes from sports betting and $8.6 million in online casino gaming fees.
For up-to-date news on Connecticut sports betting, make sure to follow USA Wager.
