It’s time for Sports Betting in Connecticut. Let’s Go!

1. Is Sports Betting Legal In Connecticut
2. Is Sports Betting Legal In Connecticut 2019
3. Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Connecticut

Learn about the legality of online sports betting. We cover federal online gambling laws, regulated states, daily fantasy sports betting law, and more.

• Below is a list of all US states that have legal sports betting in any form, expand for more information.
• BettingTop10 USA offers a list of the best legal online sports betting Sites for players in the USA gives you reviews for the top sportsbooks in every state.

Is Sports Betting Legal In Connecticut

Is Sports Betting Legal In Connecticut 2019

In addition, legal Sports Betting will produce new direct and indirect jobs in Connecticut.

Connecticut is missing out as states all around us meet the demand for legal Sports Betting and benefit from increased revenue, new jobs, and consumer protection from illegal betting activity. A simple solution to the Sports Betting issue is for Connecticut to legalize Sports Betting and permit retail and online Sports Betting by the State’s four existing gaming operators – Sportech, the State Lottery and the two Casino operators. With this sensible and equitable solution, Connecticut can quickly roll out a legal Sports Betting program that offers consumer choice, ensures safeguards for vulnerable communities, and maximizes State revenue.

Let’s GO!

Sportech can help. Our Connecticut employees are experts in betting; we’ve been doing it for over 25 years and are the only operator licensed to take online and retail bets across the State.

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Sportech has offered betting on the sports of racing and jai alai in Connecticut for over two decades. Since the May 2018 repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), Sportech has been speaking out in favor of commonsense legislation for safe, legal Sports Betting. With states all around us legalizing Sports Betting and with economic challenges for the State to meet, the time has never been better for Sports Betting. So LET’S GO!

Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Connecticut

As of December 2020, 25 US states plus Washington DC have legalized some form of Sports Betting and 21 states have gone live. States have taken a range of approaches to Sports Betting, granting licenses to thoroughbred racetracks, racinos, casinos, sports books, and online operators.

States that have legalized Sports Betting are generating significant tax revenue. Some notable results for states other than Nevada:

$5.2 Billion in Sports Betting handle.
$29 Million in state tax revenue.
(for the 12 months ending Oct 2020)

$3.7 Billion in Sports Betting handle.
$82 Million in state and city tax revenue.
(for the 12 months ending Oct 2020)

$1.6 Billion in Sports Betting handle
$12 Million in state and city tax revenue.
(for the 12 months ending Nov 2020)

In total, the 12 states that disclose such information reported cumulative Sports Betting handle of just under $30 Billion and tax revenue of $270 Million generated since the repeal of PASPA in 2018.

To provide a healthy competitive marketplace that protects consumers and recognizes the legal rights and contributions of all of Connecticut’s licensed gaming operators, the State should permit Sportech, the Connecticut Lottery, and the two Tribal Casino Operators to conduct retail and online Sports Betting. Monopoly or duopoly arrangements are harmful to consumers and inequitable to operators and they risk exposing the State to legal action that could further delay progress and divert resources.

There are many misconceptions about Sports Betting and who has the right to offer it in Connecticut. Here are some facts.

There is no legal basis for the claim that Sports Betting is a “casino game”.

Neither the Compacts with the Tribes, nor Connecticut law, nor the Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (FIGRA) classify Sports Betting as a “casino game”. In fact, the FIGRA unequivocally defines and regulates Sports Betting as something other than a “casino game”.

Since it is not a casino game, there is no exclusivity and Connecticut has the right to decide who should offer legal Sports Betting.

Legal Sports Betting has popular and bi-partisan support.

Sports Betting legislation has bi-partisan backing and draft bills that would legalize retail and online Sports Betting by Connecticut’s four existing licensed operators have garnered the support of Governor Lamont.

The only real hurdle in the way of progress remains insistence that the Tribes alone have the right to offer Sports Betting in Connecticut under a monopoly or duopoly.

Allowing all four gaming operators – Sportech, the Lottery, and the two Tribes to offer Sports Betting is better for consumers.

Unlike casino gaming or betting on horse racing, in fixed odds Sports Betting, the “price” is set by the operator. Without sufficient competition, the consumer will have to accept the price set by the sole operator. This not only restricts consumer choice but may cause some bettors to seek out illegal book makers.

Connecticut is fortunate to have four established, licensed gaming operators who can offer competitive Sports Betting options within the structures of their existing businesses and without a proliferation of new gaming operators in the State.

The Compacts between Connecticut and the Tribes have mutually benefited both and breaking them would create serious financial risk for the Tribes.

The Compacts are not a one-way street. They allow the Tribes to legally offer slots in exchange for paying the State 25% of slot revenue. It follows, therefore, that if a Tribe opts to stop sharing slot revenue, they have fractured the Compact and will no longer have the State’s permission to offer slots, risking their 75% of slot revenue. A broken Compact also could open the State to new in-state casino competition. The financial risks to the Tribes of breaking the Compacts are severe.

For more on the topic of who should be allowed to offer legal sports betting in Connecticut, read our opinion piece.