Gov. Ned Lamont this afternoon signed a bill that will legalize sports betting and online casino games in Connecticut, pending final federal approval.
Earlier this week, the state Senate passed by a 28-6 vote HB 6451, which authorized Lamont to sign renegotiated gaming compacts with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes, by a 28-6 vote.
It also allows the Connecticut Lottery Corp. to offer in-person and online sports betting, online keno and online lottery games. The Lottery can also operate up to 15 licensed in-person sports betting facilities, including one in Bridgeport.
The bill was approved by the House last week by a 122-21 majority.
Now that the bill has been signed into law, approval is needed from the Bureau of Indian Affairs at the U.S. Department of Interior to amend the state”™s compact with the tribes. The federal agency must approve the changes to the compact before online gaming and sports wagering can begin in the state.
“By signing this bill into law, Connecticut is now on the cusp of providing a modern, technologically advanced gaming experience that will be competitive with our neighboring states and positions us for success into the future,” Lamont said. “Today, we celebrate the result of months of hard work and dedication toward an agreement that is best for the residents of Connecticut and the respective tribal members.
“I am confident that the federal government will see fit to approve these amendments to our compact, and in the coming months we can launch a modernized, 21st century gaming experience in Connecticut,” he aded
Mohegan Tribal Council Chairman James Gessner Jr. said the efforts “will keep Connecticut competitive with surrounding states when it comes to gaming entertainment. This is a major accomplishment, reached with overwhelming bipartisan support. The advantages of these changes will be felt statewide, to the benefit of Connecticut residents and our tribal members, at a time when our governments are collectively working to recover from the pandemic and provide vital services.”
“This is an historic moment in which our nation celebrates with Gov. Lamont and the State of Connecticut,” Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Chairman Rodney Butler said. “Gaming is more than a business to our tribe — it is the way we fund our government, pay for our children”™s education, care for our elders, and provide healthcare to our members.
“The agreement not only ushers in a new modern era of gaming, but it solidifies our tribal/state partnership for years to come,” Butler added.
The legislation requires the Lottery to pay $1 million and each tribe to pay $500,000 annually toward problem gambling programs.
