During a press conference on unrelated matters, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont acknowledged this morning sports betting in the Nutmeg State isn’t going to happen by Thursday — the season opener of the NFL.
Lamont, speaking in Milford, told reporters it was unlikely the Bureau of Indian Affairs would approve the compact signed earlier this year between Connecticut and two tribes in the state.
“UPDATE: On sports betting & online gaming, @GovNedLamont says he does not expect an answer from @BureauIndAffrs by Thursday’s deadline for federal approval
Although no answer could mean implied approval, Lamont says CT will wait for a “green light” before proceeding” John Craven, a reporter with News12CT tweeted this morning.
Where Sports Betting Stands In Connecticut
The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and the Mohegan Tribe reached a deal with Lamont earlier this year giving the green light to CT sports betting at the two casinos the tribes run, as well as up to 15 retail establishments throughout the state.
The legislature approved the measure in May.
The Legislative Regulation Review Committee met last week and approved emergency regulations in a bipartisan manner to address some of the technical hiccups the compact faced.
Even with that action, it was unlikely bets would come in time for Thursday’s kickoff between the defending Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Dallas Cowboys.
Since the compact involves tribal issues the Department of Interior must sign off on it, as it has done compacts approved earlier this year in Florida and Arizona.
While it’s possible Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico, could approve between now and Thursday, most observers believe it will be October before bets can placed.
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