Sportech: “What’s going on with the internet?”
When it comes to illegal sports betting, don’t mess with Connecticut. The state sent out an official warning to 10 sports betting websites ahead of the third leg of the Triple Crown, warning them not to solicit play among state residents.
State Attorney General George Jepsen and William Rubenstein of the Department of Consumer Protection sent cease-and-desist letters to 28 websites, some of which are licensed to offer legal betting in their own states, but not in Connecticut. Sites from 10 states were targeted, including Kentucky, New York, North Dakota and Pennsylvania.
“You must immediately cease and desist from accepting wagers placed from within the State of Connecticut,” the May 20 letter said.
According to CalvinAyre.com, the measure was an effort to protect Sportech as well as Connecticut’s off-track betting parlors. Sportech operates online and phone wagering and 15 off-track betting branches and sports bars in Connecticut under the brand Winners. Its website, MyWinners.com, is the only site legally permitted to offer parimutuel betting. The state receives 3.5 percent in taxes from the operation.
“No other site is regulated here or pays the tax that the state should be receiving,” Sportech said in a press release. “Our operations are closely monitored by the Department of Consumer Protection, thereby ensuring that the highest standards of player protection are in place for local residents. What’s going on with the internet?”
“It’s an issue that has come onto our radar screen,” said Rubenstein. “About a year or so ago, we approved our licensee to do internet. And then we started thinking, ‘Well, what is going on with the internet?’ And it took us a little bit to make sure we were correct in our analysis and who all the players were.”
