As in Florida, the legalization of sports betting in Connecticut depends on the support of tribal nations. For Connecticut, that means accommodating the Mohegan Tribe and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, owners of Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods.
To push the effort along, Governor Ned Lamont has come on board when it comes to the tribes. He included sports betting revenues in his budget presented on February 10. He wants the bill to expand state tribal gaming compacts to include both sports betting and online casinos, according to Legal Sports Report.
“Our neighboring states are moving forward with sports betting and i-gaming, and Connecticut should not leave these opportunities for other states to benefit from our inaction,” Lamont said in his budget address. “My administration has been in active negotiations with our tribal partners to bring the state’s gaming economy into the digital age. And I am submitting legislation which reflects what I believe to be the best bet in ending this stalemate in a way which is in the best interest for the entire state.”
To be sure, the tribes have threatened the state’s 25 percent take on slot revenue from their two casinos the situation didn’t break the way it did.
The governor’s budget proposal assumes $47.3 million in FY 2023 from the expansion of gaming.
Lamont “wants to sign a sports betting bill into law over the next few months,” said spokesman Max Reiss. “Any such proposal, however, must be designed to avoid and withstand endless legal challenges, include multiple, competing mobile platforms off the tribes’ reservations, and build upon the footprints of all of the state’s existing gaming operators.”
Rep. Kurt Vail said the problem in recent years is a refusal to give and take. “We end up with nothing because everyone takes their ball, goes in the corner and refuses to give an inch. And here we have, again it’s what, 2021? Somebody needs to give up something and I think there’s a way for everybody to win.”
When gambling expansion is a line-item in the budget, it means Governor Lamont is committed to get a deal done, said gaming industry lobbyist John Pappas. “Throughout this entire process, the tribes have made clear that retaining their exclusivity is a priority. I don’t think the proposed revenue will materialize unless that is part of the agreement. Internet betting in Connecticut is going to have to be a limited market to start, or no market at all.”
Legislators still need to approve a bill that spells out the nuts and bolts.
