A recent action by Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont is intended to discourage out of state online operators from taking wagers from the state’s residents, and protect the exclusive license of Sportech Venues Inc.
Sportech operates 16 wagering venues and sports bars, most as “Bobby V’s Restaurant & Sports Bar.”
In the governor’s recent budget is language declaring that any advanced-deposit wager, including by phone or mobile platform made within the state will be considered by the state to be made exclusively in the state.
Since only Sportech is allowed by statute to accept such wagers, others who take the bets will be considered in violation of Connecticut’s unfair trade practice and professional gambling law. The new language goes into effect in October.
Lora Rae Anderson, a spokesman for the state Department of Consumer Protection, told CDC Gaming Reports, “The change would make taking those bets a violation of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act [CUTPA].” She added, “The motivation for the update was that based on Sportech’s research, other states with similar laws have seen increased compliance.”
Ted Taylor, president of Sportech, told CDC Gaming Reports, “We are the only ones legally licensed in the state to provide these services. With a lot of business going online, our business has declined because a lot of money is being bet online with companies not licensed in Connecticut. This meant Connecticut’s tax receipts were going down.”
Cease and desist letters from Sportech were ignored because the state’s law didn’t have enough teeth. Now Taylor expects that the trend of declining taxes from off-track betting will be reversed.
