Back in 2017, when pundits were attempting to predict which states had been probably to legalize online gambling in 2018, they named New York, Michigan, New Hampshire, Illinois, along with a few others. Nobody cast a glance at Connecticut – but now, it appears that the Constitution State wants to throw its hat in to the ring.
Final week, state lawmakers held a press conference in which they discussed the possibility of legalized sports betting. Throughout the conference, three Connecticut lawmakers also brought up the problem of on-line gambling: House Speaker Joseph Aresimowicz, House Majority Leader Matthew Ritter, and Chairman of the Public Safety and Security Committee, Rep. Joe Verrengia.
We know why legalized sports betting is becoming discussed now – the Supreme Court is due to problem a ruling on its legality inside a matter of months. Currently, sports betting is illegal in all but four states because of a law passed in 1992; NJ Governor Chris Christie challenged the law as unconstitutional and is therefore now awaiting the Supreme Court’s ruling.
But what about online gambling? Perhaps the discussion of this up-and-coming industry is because of Connecticut’s new online lottery bill, introduced on Wednesday, that would permit the state to sell a variety of online lottery tickets and perhaps expand to provide on-line games as well. Lots of other states have expressed interest in making on-line lotteries, including Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.
An additional reason for Connecticut’s seemingly sudden interest in on-line gambling might be because of its location. New Jersey currently boasts a booming online gambling industry, Pennsylvania lately became the 4th state to legalize on-line gambling, and New York is contemplating legalizing it also. Which means that since all of Connecticut’s neighboring states are offering on-line gambling, it might be a great time for lawmakers to think about offering it there also.
While no public actions have been taken toward online gambling yet, there has by no means been a much better time for Connecticut lawmakers to introduce bills and push them forward.