Connecticut lawmakers have tabled the gambling expansion legislation, Senate Bill 146, to the Committee on Public Safety and Security. The bill expands on gambling activities like legalized sports betting, draw game tickets, online keno games, and online gambling.

An opportune timing for the bill?

Governor Ned Lamont suggested that he is working with neighboring states and tribal partners on potential marijuana legalization and gambling expansion plan. The state legislature’s Senate Bill 146 focuses on legalizing betting and iGaming in the state and has received support from 17 legislators so far. The bill is titled

“Act Authorizing Sports Wagering, Internet Gaming, Internet Lottery and Internet Keno”.

The Committee on Public Safety and Security has received the bill from Connecticut lawmakers. It would legalize retail and online sports betting by the Mohegan Tribe and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe in the state. Only these two tribes are allowed to offer legal gambling options to the people of Connecticut.

What will the bill change?

The bill language specifically mentions the legalization of sports betting, online gambling, online keno and draw tickets in the state. It also proposed the Connecticut Lottery Corporation to sell the draw game tickets and organize online keno games. They will be subject to the new or amended agreements made with the Native American tribes of the state.

If the bill is accepted, the state will have to establish data security standards and reasonable procedures for the industry to function properly. They will also need to work on a revenue system so that the activities can be taxed.

In his State of the State address last week, Gov. Lamont said that he is working with tribal partners as well as neighboring states to modernize gaming in the state. Legalizing marijuana is also one of his important goals. He said that both modern, online gaming and legal marijuana is being tried out in neighboring states and they can do the same. If not, these opportunities will be provided to the underground markets or out-of-state markets.