Connecticut’s state senate has approved House Bill 6451, which would legalize online sports wagering, fantasy sports and other forms of igaming in the state through the state’s two tribal operators.
The bill, which was introduced by Representative Brian Smith, was approved by 28 votes to 6 yesterday (May 25), and now heads to Governor Ned Lamont’s office for approval after which it may be signed into law.
It seeks to formalize agreements made by the Governor with the state’s Mashantucket and Mohegan tribes in March, and would permit the tribes to offer sports betting online and at land-based sportsbooks within the casinos they operate, in addition to igaming and fantasy sports contests.
Under the bill, each tribe would be allowed to operate one skin for online sports betting and another for igaming.
The bill also allows the Connecticut Lottery Corporation to run one skin for sports betting outside tribal lands, as well as retail wagering at 15 locations across the state, provided they are located at least 25 miles from tribal reservations.
HB6451 was approved by the state’s House of Representatives last week by a vote of 122-21.
If it is signed off by Connecticut’s Governor, it will be referred to the US Department of the Interior before coming into force. If passed, the new rules and regulations will come into effect from January 1, 2022.
The bill would see each of the tribes permitted to operate igaming transfer 13.75% of their gross gaming revenue (GGR) from all sports betting activity into the state’s General Fund.
The rate for online casino would be set at 18.0% during the first five years of the regulation, increasing to 20.0% from the sixth year onwards.
The Connecticut Lottery Corporation would also pay 13.75% of its GGR from sports wagering into the General Fund.