Connecticut legislature has a full gambling agenda

In a short information briefing Wednesday hosted by Connecticut House Majority Leader Matthew Ritter; Public Safety and Security Committee chair Rep.Joe Verrengia and House Speaker Joseph Aresimowicz, interested parties were given a breakdown of gambling related legislation currently being considered by state lawmakers.

The most pressing legislation is a bill designed to position Connecticut to best advantage in the event of a positive Supreme Court ruling in the New Jersey appeal against the federal Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which restricts US sports betting to just four states and is the subject of extensive campaigning for a wider and more liberalised sports betting regime (see previous reports).

Connecticut is following the lead of several other states who are preparing for possible change by passing enabling legislation contingent on a favourable US Supreme Court finding. Current proposals call for the commissioner of the Department of Consumer Protection to adopt regulations on sports wagering and affirms the authority of the state to regulate such wagering if and when federal law allows it.

There are also proposals to take state lottery ticket sales online in order to expand sales by accessing new and younger demographics, and growing speculation that the legalisation of online gambling is becoming more important following the recent passage of such legislation in nearby states like Pennsylvania.

Moves are afoot to reboot the concept of a full state study on the economic and social impact of gambling in Connecticut. The last such state-commissioned study was conducted a decade ago and lawmakers see a need for updated information on numbers and attitudes to gambling.

One of several gambling bills introduced this week by the Public Safety and Security Committee, is a measure that requires the commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development to develop and issue a request for proposals from “independent research and professional services” firms.

Proposals would be for a study of the impacts of all forms of gambling in the state, including the casinos, the Connecticut Lottery Corp., off-track-betting facilities and charitable gaming.

The firm that wins the contract would analyse public tastes in regard to gambling and recommend a plan for the possible expansion of gambling in the state, including casinos on nontribal land, sports betting, sports fantasy contests and online lottery games. Funding for the study would be drawn from unclaimed lottery prize monies.

A further hearing on gambling has been scheduled for March 8, with informational workshops also envisaged on the broad topic.