Sports betting, online gaming in Connecticut gains federal approval

HARTFORD, CONN. Gov. Ned Lamont announced Thursday that Connecticut has received a key federal approval for its plan to allow legalized sports wagering, online gambling and other new forms of betting.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has signed off on needed changes to the compacts between the state and its two federally recognized tribal nations, the Mashantucket Pequots and Mohegans, who operate the state’s two casinos and play major roles in the state’s gambling expansion plan, the governor said.

Lamont said the approval means that sports wagering and online gaming could be available for Connecticut residents in October.

“This critical step in the process of modernizing our gaming landscape here in Connecticut ensures that our state will have a competitive, nation-leading marketplace for wagering both in-person and online,” he said in a statement.

Earlier this year, the General Assembly passed legislation, which Lamont signed into law, allowing only the quasi-public Connecticut Lottery Corporation and the Mashantucket Pequots and Mohegan — owners and operators of the Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun resorts — to operate in-person and online sports wagering.

Other steps, including approving licenses for operators and key employees, still need to be completed before bets can be placed.

A key legislative committee approved emergency regulations last month. Permanent regulations are expected to be debated during next year’s legislative session.

 

Source: The News & Observer

Tags: ,