Senate Approves Sports Betting in Connecticut
Sports betting in Connecticut is on the verge of legalization following the Senate’s approval of the wagering bill late Tuesday night. The House of Representatives passed the bill last week by a 122-21 margin.
A nearly unanimous ballot was also visible in the Senate. Connecticut senators voted to pass sports betting 28-6. The next step for Connecticut sports wagering is for Governor Ned Lamont to sign the bill.
Lamont’s signature will legalize sports betting in the state, pending approval from the Department of the Interior on the federal level.
Sports Betting in Connecticut: Senate Approves
Nobody in the industry was surprised that the Connecticut Senate approved sports betting, but it’s still major news. Sports betting is approaching legalization in the state, which is exciting for CT residents, the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes, gaming providers, and many other parties.
The Senate passed the bill by a landslide proportion, and one of the foremost proponents in the chamber was Catherine Osten. Osten’s district covers the two casinos in the state, so she has always favored ways to help the tribes and state increase their revenue.
Osten is hopeful that Government Lamont will sign the bill in the next few days to begin the sports betting implementation process.
Lamont is expected to sign the bill soon, as many legislators like Osten hope. Earlier this year, the governor expressed his excitement for sports betting in the state.
“Connecticut is on the cusp of providing a modern, technologically advanced gaming experience for our residents, which will be competitive with our neighboring states.”
Once Governor Lamont signs the deal, the bill will be sent to the Department of the Interior for final approval. The bill should be approved on the federal level by late June or early July. If this occurs and regulations are implemented, people in CT will be able to place bets by the start of the NFL season.
Sports Betting in Connecticut: Bill Details
Connecticut lawmakers have established a very competitive framework for sports betting in the state, including mobile and retail gambling.
The Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes will be allowed to open retail sportsbooks inside their landlocked casinos. They will also offer bettors in the state one mobile sports betting skin and one iCasino.
Online sports betting is expected to contribute 80% of Connecticut’s total handle. The Mashantucket tribe has partnered with DraftKings, and the Mohegans have drafted a deal with Kambi.
DraftKings has a better name than Kambi to the public. However, Kambi is one of the best sports betting technological providers worldwide. The online sportsbooks will be regulated like a commercial entity, allowing the tribal gaming compact to be approved on the federal level.
The Connecticut Lottery can offer an online casino and mobile sportsbook. Additionally, the lottery is allowed to open 15 retail sportsbooks throughout the state. However, none can be within 25 miles of the state’s two casinos.
Sadly, no bets will be allowed on in-state programs like the UConn Huskies. The Connecticut Sun (WNBA) is the only professional sports team in the state, but residents support many franchises in the area. For a small state, CT is expected to make noise in the legal sports wagering industry.
