Connecticut Senator Cathy Osten, chief sponsor of the state’s sports betting bill and member of the committee that reviews new regulations, doesn’t want anything standing in the way of taking wagers by the opening of the NFL season September 9.
“My goal is to not miss any games,” said the senator July 26. However, as much as everyone would like it to happen, that goal may not be attainable, according to many experts. It would require a trifecta: 1) approval of the new memorandum of understanding to the existing state tribal gaming compacts with the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes who operate the state’s two casinos by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 2) the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection must issue licenses to providers and 3) the legislative committee must approve of the multitude of regulations within less than a month.
The BIA has 45 days to approve of the amendment, i.e. until September 3.
The regulations first have to be drafted—with all the I’s dotted and T’s crossed by the Department of Consumer Protection before being submitted to the legislative committee. They are designated as “emergency” regulations, which could grease the skids to an extent. They also don’t require a public hearing.
Besides the tribal casinos, the Connecticut Lottery Corp. will also be offering sports betting. It will soon announce a contractor to take wagers on the up to 15 retail sports betting locations authorized.
