Should the federal US government pass laws to allow legal sports betting, Connecticut would be one of the states to offer sports betting within its borders. The state’s governor, Danell Malloy recently signed a bill into law which determines that if federal laws change, Connecticut will be able to introduce a legalized and regulated sports betting industry.
The text of the law, where it pertains to legal sports betting in Connecticut, reads as follows:
“The Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes, to regulate wagering on sporting events to the extent permitted by state and federal law.”
The law signed by Connecticut governor Malloy is H 6948 which was passed by the state legislature earlier last month. HB 6948 is actually a larger gambling bill which also allows for the construction of a new land-based casino in the state, as well as off-track betting sites for horse racing.
Connecticut has been closely watching the case of New Jersey and the Gardens State’s battle to allow sports betting. Recently, New Jersey was told that its case would be heard by the Supreme Court, which has piqued Connecticut’s interest in this matter even further. It should be noted, however, that Connecticut added the clause about sports betting in H 6948 before New Jersey was told that the Supreme Court would hear its case.
New Jersey is seeking to change the current federal laws governing sports betting in the United States, known as the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. Congress will need to repeal PASPA in order to give New Jersey the freedom it needs to introduce sports betting, or – at the very least – amend the law.
If this happens, Connecticut will need to repeal its existing prohibitions on sports betting, and an entire new set of regulations would need to be set up by the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP).
This department issued a statement regarding sports betting in Connecticut and the role it will play if this happens.
“DCP is tasked with adopting regulations to regulate wagering on sporting events to the extent permitted by state and federal law. The Department is also aware of the New Jersey case that the U.S. Supreme Court is taking up and will continue to monitor federal activity surrounding sports betting.”
