The official launch of sports betting in Connecticut got a little bit closer on Tuesday when the Connecticut General Assembly’s Regulation Review Committee approved proposed state regulations for sports wagering and online gaming.
Now the ball is in the U.S. Department of the Interior’s court. It must approve the changes to the agreements that were reached by the state and federally recognized tribal nations Mohegans and Mashantucket Pequots.
In a statement, Gov. Ned Lamont said it is a “significant step forward.”
“In working collaboratively with the Mohegan Tribe, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, and the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, Connecticut has crafted nation-leading legislation, which will position our state as a leader in this space and will provide an elevated user experience for eligible residents.”
Mashantucket Pequot Tribe Encouraged
All involved have previously stated their goal is to have sports wagering up and running in the state in time for the start of the NFL regular season on Sept. 9. That date no longer seems likely, but Tuesday’s news makes it likely that sports wagering could launch in the earlier part of the fall.
In a statement, Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Rodney Butler said in the next two weeks he expects action from the Department of the Interior on the compact amendments submitted in late July.
“It is our understanding that once that approval comes, the state Department of Consumer Protection will issue master wagering licenses,” Butler said. “With the NFL season kickoff fast approaching, we are working to launch online gaming and sports betting as soon as we are legally allowed to do so.”
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