Following the apparent failure some individual attempts to legalize sports betting, online gambling and a new physical casino, lawmakers in Connecticut have now decided to push a comprehensive proposal that seeks to expand gambling in the state. Referred to as the Connecticut Jobs and Revenue Act, the bipartisan bill is only in its early form and is yet to be introduced. State Senator Cathy Osten, the author of the bill, said that she hopes to convene a special session of the legislature. In case that does not happen, there are plans to introduce the bill when the next legislative session kicks off on January 9, 2020.
What the Bill Entails
The proposed Connecticut gambling bill is all-encompassing, that is, it seeks to legalizes both online casinos and online poker as well as online and retail sports betting. It also has provisions for the legalization of online lottery sales. In addition to that, there is a huge emphasis on the long-sought tribal casino in Bridgeport.
As stipulated in the proposed bill, the $300 million Bridgeport casino will be operated jointly by the Mohegan and Pequot tribes. The tribes would also be further allowed to operate some additional “entertainment zone facilities” in Hartford and two other cities in the state – these will have to be locally approved first. Moreover, the bill has provisions that will give the tribes the greenling to authorize sports betting and esports betting at the gambling locations. Also, while the tribes will continue to pay a 25 percent tax on their slot revenue to Connecticut, the proposed bill is seeking to add a new 10 percent tax on table games.
Another very notable aspect of the proposed gambling bill is the fact that it will give the Mohegan and Pequot tribes exclusive rights to offer online gambling in the state. This applies to all the online gambling vertical except for the lottery. For online gambling the tax rates that have been proposed are 10 percent, 10 percent and 8 percent for online casino/poker, online sports betting and retail sports betting respectively.
Does the Bill Have a Chance?
Unfortunately, Ned Lamont, the state’s governor is not too enthusiastic about the bill, to say the least. He has even suggested that the lawmakers should go easy on their calls for the Bridgeport casino. In fact, his office claimed to have received the proposed bill only a week ago which, apparently, has not been enough time to go through it.
According to the governor, the proposed bill is very significant and, therefore, requires “substantial involvement from multiple stakeholders, in particular, the executive branch.” His proposal is that all necessary parties are involved and the process be made open.
