Legislation that would legalize sports betting in Connecticut appears to be in limbo.
Signaling his frustration on the issue, House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz said he might ask Governor Ned Lamont to call a special session if his colleagues can’t hammer together an agreement before this year’s session ends June 5.
Rep. Joe Verrengia, co-chairmen of the legislative committee tasked with gaming legislation, says he only gives a 50 percebt chance for sports betting legislation before the deadline. That will all depend on how talks go between the governor and the state’s two gaming tribes, the Mohegans and the Mashantucket Pequot.
The tribes argue that their tribal state gaming compacts give them exclusive rights to offer all casino games, and they insist that sports betting comes under that umbrella. The state attorney general and many lawmakers disagree.
Without a compromise, Verrengia sees little chance of a bill emerging. He also questions that there is that much money to be made from sports betting.
“The revenues of sports betting in other states are under-performing, and I don’t see Connecticut being any different.” He told the Hartford Courant. He added, “If we do nothing, we’re OK. We’re still bringing in over $200 million per year. What we know we have now is two thriving casinos. Status quo is not a bad thing.”
