Legislature Balks On Sports Betting

The next governor of Connecticut must deal with sports betting. Following a Supreme Court ruling that legalized sports betting, Governor Dan Malloy began negotiations with the state’s tribal nations that operate Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun in advance of an anticipated special session of the legislature that’s now off the table.

More from Chris Keating, Hartford Courant:

The change marks a sharp turnaround from nine months ago when lawmakers said they were far ahead of other states in laying the groundwork to prepare for sports betting. A representative from Major League Baseball said in April that Connecticut had the chance to pass model legislation that would be emulated by other states. But those days have passed.

… Gov. Dannel P. Malloy had been negotiating with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes, who want to offer sports betting at their casinos in southeastern Connecticut. The tribes have said they believe they have exclusive rights to sports betting, but state Attorney General George Jepsen says they do not.

But lacking solid support in the legislature, Malloy has postponed negotiations with the tribes.

Full story here.

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3 comments

  1. “GrinRipper” and I were discussing this very point in the posting where Rich Deecken,Republican candidate for State Senate, proposed a comprehensive overhaul of the state’s gambling laws and the postponement of any action by the State was announced. Deecken may have a point and may be correct that an overhaul is needed. In line with the question of sports betting there is also the question of online gambling. New Jersey and other states are moving fast forward on sports gambling but New Jersey is also moving ahead on online gambling but it would only be allowed intrastate. In regards to online gambling,if it becomes fully legal and accessible,this would possibly damage the businesses of bricks and mortar casinos. If you can bet in the comfort of your own home,why drive to any casino (traffic,time)unless there is an entertainment factor involved. SCOTUS ruled and allowed states to do sports betting. The US Federal Government has been fighting online gambling through a potpourri of various laws and regulations. Is it possible that SCOTUS will rule in favor of online gambling with the same legal logic as the sports betting ruling? In Connecticut,state leaders(political,civic,religious etc) are of a decidedly mixed mind considering the “state of gambling” in Connecticut to the point that there stasis in the state legislature and divided opinions amongst top executive leaders(Governor Malloy vs Attorney General Jensen). These two will soon be replaced but the State Legislature seems to be clueless as to what to do and many/most members of The General Assembly will be returning as most incumbents are reelected. All of this will surely have an impact on the possibility of a casino in Bridgeport.

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  2. Frank, to your points. SCOTUS overturned the previously banned sports betting because they deemed it was a state rights issue. Four states had allowed sports betting previous to the Federal legislation that was passed in 1992. The real value for any sports betting provider will be the mobile/online platform. Their Bricks and Mortar locations will be utilized for KYC ( know your customers) sign up procedures that will be implemented for sports betting.

    You can already do intrastate online horse wagering through the authorized OTB state provider, Sportech. If you are in New Jersey, you can play on several in-state online casinos.

    Deecken is correct in a comprehensive approach to gaming. However, we shouldn’t have to be held in abeyance by the Tribal Nations because of their slot exclusive eat with Two Forks mentality regarding sports betting. I believe that part of the posturing by the Tribes was to garner those fertile online casino gaming rights.
    We need an open and competitive process to expand casino gaming in Connecticut. The Tribes can’t unilaterally be awarded casino rights off reservation land as that violates the 14 th amendment equal protection clause.

    Let the chips fall where they may.

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