Connecticut Law Could Supply Tribes with Online and Sports Gambling; Bridgeport Casino Also Being Considered

The Connecticut governor is criticizing imminent legislation which will authorize both sports and online gambling at the new Bridgeport casino.

Only recently, a coalition of bipartisan legislators published that they have created ‘An Act Concerning Jobs in and Revenue from the Gaming Industry.’ The Senator of the state, Cathy Osten, has just mentioned that the special session will be organized related to a new bill. Otherwise, the new bill will be introduced in the session scheduled for January 9, 2020.

About Bill

The proposed bill has a relation to state gaming tribes Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan which operate two gambling venues. The new legislation will allow tribes to open sportsbooks platforms at land-based venues. In addition, it will allow tribes to have an exclusive right to feature online sport and casino gambling including poker and Esports products. The Connecticut lottery will also allow players to place online tickets and keno.

Tribes will also have the right to open a casino in Bridgeport including several sport betting venues in Hartford and two additional locales. It will probably come across the opposition of MGM Resorts which has expressed interest in the Bridgeport venue.

Tribes have even agreed with Osten's Bill. They said:

“It takes us one step close to the goal of preserving the historic partnership between the tribes and the state.“

Governor's opinion

Connecticut governor, Ned Lamont, has spoken negatively about the proposed bill. He said:

“Legislators needed to cool their heels on any Bridgeport proposals“

He added:

“A matter of such significance requires substantial involvement from multiple stakeholders, in particular, the executive branch. Something this complex should not be negotiated without all necessary parties and certainly not behind closed doors.”

Lamont is also supporting Sportech which has plans to add sports betting to the current offering. However, a proposed bill doesn't mention anything regarding Sportech activity, which could cause independent legal action for the UK firm.

Lamont observed

“My administration’s position continued to be that the only way forward was “a global resolution that mitigates the likelihood of years of litigation and positions the state to capitalize on a comprehensive gaming platform.”

Source:

“Connecticut bill offers tribes online gambling, sports betting, Bridgeport casino“, Steven Stradbrooke, calvinayre.com, August 1, 2019.