Connecticut is moving towards offering sports betting in time for the opening day of the NFL season, September 9.
On August 31, the General Assembly’s Regulations Review Committee approved emergency regulations submitted by the state’s Department of Consumer Protection (DCP).
DCP Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull wrote to the committee: “The purpose of this regulation is to create a licensing structure and implement provisions for responsible gaming and data privacy protections in order to ensure consumer safety and gaming integrity for new gaming markets in our state.”
The emergency regulations will be in force for 180 days, after which a permanent regulatory infrastructure is expected to be approved next year. The legislature returns to its work in February.
Because sports betting will be offered at the state’s two tribal casinos, the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods, among other venues, the state is waiting for approval by the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the amended state tribal gaming compacts with the Mashantucket Pequots and Mohegans.
Once the state has that in its back pocket it can begin approving of licenses for operators.
Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Chairman Rodney Butler told Fox61 in a statement, “We expect action from the federal Department of Interior within the next two weeks on the compact amendments submitted in late July, and it is our understanding that once that approval comes, the state Department of Consumer Protection will issue master wagering licenses.” He added, “With the NFL season kickoff fast approaching, we are working to launch online gaming and sports betting as soon as we are legally allowed to do so.”
Under legislation approved several months ago, only the Connecticut Lottery Corp. and the tribes may operate in-person and mobile sportsbooks.
