Connecticut Gambling Laws 2023. A Comprehensive & Unmissable Guide

Over the years, Connecticut has demonstrated an increasingly progressive attitude towards gambling. The state has enacted some of the most significant laws pertaining to this industry, especially in the realm of online gambling. With the legalization of online casinos, Connecticut has become a key player in the evolving landscape of U.S. online gambling. Its laws, enacted by the Connecticut legislature and overseen by the Connecticut Gaming Division, reflect a growing trend of embracing digital platforms for entertainment and revenue generation. At the heart of this progressive landscape are the state’s biggest Connecticut gambling laws, which have shaped and will continue to shape the future of this burgeoning industry.

The landmark law that has drawn significant attention is the one legalizing online casinos. This law represents the combined efforts of state legislators, regulators, and tribal entities, particularly the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes. Both tribes own and operate land-based casinos in Connecticut and have ventured into online platforms after the law’s enactment. This introduction aims to provide an in-depth look at the rich and complex Connecticut gambling laws and their impact on the state and its residents.

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Connecticut Gambling Laws – Fundamental Provisions

• 🎰 Online casinos became legal in Connecticut in 2021. They launched to the general public on October 19, 2021.
• 🏆 Popular games like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, DFS, and slots are available to play online.
• 🎁 Welcome bonuses and promotional offers are common among online casinos in CT.
• 🃏 Online poker options are anticipated but have not yet launched.
• 🎈 Charitable gaming, including bingo and raffles, has been legal since 1939, and sealed tickets were introduced in 1987.
• 🎫 The CT Lottery has been running successfully since the early 1970s. You can’t buy lottery tickets online but can use the official CT Lottery app for related features.
• 🏇 Betting on horse racing and greyhound racing is legal via off-track betting, even though there are no live tracks in operation.
• 🕹️ Social casino options are available in the state, and the CT Gaming Division oversees all aspects of online gambling.
• 🌐 The new law passed in Hartford also includes an option for legal online poker sites, but they have not been launched yet.
• 👥 Poker is legal to play at home for cash within certain “bona fide social relationship” conditions.
• 🏛️ The two tribal casinos in the state, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, are empowered to offer all types of online gambling.
• 📜 Connecticut has a long and varied history with gambling, with the first legal form of gambling, bingo, introduced in 1939.

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Historical Overview of Gambling Laws in Connecticut

Connecticut’s journey towards progressive gambling legislation began in 1939 with the legalization of charitable bingo. This act laid the foundation for future gambling laws, gradually encompassing various forms of gambling.

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The Biggest Connecticut Gambling Laws

The law that permitted online casinos in Connecticut fundamentally altered the gambling scene in the state. As part of this regulatory framework, the Connecticut Gaming Division was tasked with overseeing the operation of online casinos.

Aspect	Description
Law	Public Act 21-2
Purpose	To regulate online casinos in Connecticut and provide a legal framework for online casino gaming.
Authorized Operators	Tribal casinos, namely Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun.
Licensing	The Connecticut Gaming Division is responsible for licensing online casino operators.
Taxation	The law includes provisions for taxation on online casino revenue generated by licensed operators.
Player Protections	Public Act 21-2 includes measures to ensure the protection of players, such as age verification and responsible gambling practices.
Regulatory Oversight	The Connecticut Gaming Division oversees and regulates online gambling activities in the state.
Compliance	Online casino operators must comply with the regulations set forth by the Connecticut Gaming Division.
Integrity	The division safeguards the integrity of the online gambling industry in Connecticut.

The Role of Connecticut Gaming Division

Tribes’ Influence on the Legislation

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Connecticut Gambling Age

Another crucial aspect of Connecticut’s gambling laws pertains to the minimum gambling age. The law stipulates that individuals must be at least 18 years old to participate in certain forms of gambling, including the lottery, bingo, and sealed ticket games. However, for more risk-related gambling forms like casino games and poker, the minimum age requirement is 21 years.

Enforcing the gambling age is a crucial part of ensuring responsible gambling practices. Both online and land-based casinos in Connecticut are required to implement age-verification measures to prevent underage gambling. This includes asking for valid identification during registration or entry into the casino.

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Online Gambling Laws

Connecticut’s online gambling laws have significantly impacted the state’s gambling industry. With the legalization of online casinos, the state has embraced the digital age and provided an avenue for residents to engage in various casino games right from the comfort of their homes. The law also includes provisions for future expansion into other areas of online gambling, such as online poker and potentially even sports betting.

The regulatory framework for online gambling, as laid out by the Connecticut Gaming Division, provides a safe and regulated environment for players. All online gambling operators are required to hold a valid license and adhere to stringent standards to ensure fairness and integrity in their operations.

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Future of Online Gambling in Connecticut

With the legalization of online casinos, Connecticut’s gambling industry is poised for further growth and diversification. Beyond the current landscape, there are exciting prospects on the horizon, including the potential for online poker rooms and expanding the scope of online gambling to encompass additional forms of wagering.

Anticipated Launch of Online Poker Rooms

Expanding the Scope of Online Gambling

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California Gaming Regulations And Statutory Requirements

The Connecticut gaming landscape has seen substantial growth and regulatory intricacy, especially concerning tribal gaming. Ensuring comprehensive adherence to statutes, the state has put forth a robust framework for oversight, licensing, taxation, and responsible gaming measures, bolstered by an emphasis on public welfare and integrity.

Regulatory Oversight

Tribal Gaming Structure: Connecticut’s two prominent tribes, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and the Mohegan Tribe, have individually established gaming councils. These councils not only direct gaming activities within their respective reservations but also closely collaborate with the Connecticut Division of Special Revenue. This partnership ensures thorough licensing procedures, the introduction of new games, and policy adaptations.

Besides conventional slot machines, the tribes are permitted to host a wide array of lottery games, including telephone betting options. Moreover, they can run pari-mutuel betting on events such as dog and horse races, both on their lands and through simulcast races. A 2021 amendment further broadened their gaming spectrum, enabling them to provide online sports betting, online casino games, and fantasy contests.

Crucially, any management contracts related to tribal gaming require the green light from the National Indian Gaming Commission Chairman. The 2021 gaming agreement that expanded their online offerings lasts a decade, with a potential five-year extension upon mutual consent.

Gaming Venues: The Mohegan Tribe runs the well-known Mohegan Sun, whereas the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe is behind the operation of the Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Licensing

Operator Requirements: The tribes bear the responsibility of compensating the state for regulatory and enforcement costs. Both tribes can seek a “master wagering license” for online gaming ventures without any initial or recurring fees.

Service & Equipment Providers: Entities aiming to provide gaming services or equipment to the tribes need a state-sanctioned registration. The cost of such a registration is calculated to cover the state’s expenses, capped at $1,500 unless otherwise agreed upon with tribal authorities. This encompasses services related to gaming operations, such as security, junkets, gaming equipment production and maintenance, and laboratory testing.

Taxation & Tribal Revenue Sharing

Revenue Distribution: The tribal-state compacts stipulate that both the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequots remit 25% of their gross slot machine proceeds to the state. As long as no other commercial casino games are legally operational in the state by other entities, this arrangement stands.

For online ventures, an 18% tax is imposed on interactive slots and table games for the first five years, transitioning to a 20% share thereafter. Online sports betting yields a 13.75% revenue share to the state.

Revenue Allocation: The state channels all received funds into the General Fund. Annually, an amount of $135 million is dedicated to the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Fund, managed by the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management. Tribes allocate their gaming revenue toward government operations, community welfare, economic development, charitable causes, and support for local government units.

Responsible Gaming

• Self-Exclusion Mechanisms: The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection maintains a voluntary self-exclusion list. This initiative allows individuals to voluntarily bar themselves from gaming activities, with exclusion durations of one, five years, or indefinitely. Online gaming platforms also provide easy access to these self-exclusion tools.

• Marketing Norms: Advertising and promotional activities need to adhere to responsible guidelines. This includes the clear mention of age restrictions, avoidance of misleading claims, and inclusion of help avenues for those grappling with gambling issues.

• On-site Provisions: On every online platform, operators are mandated to offer links to responsible gaming information, display session durations, offer break intervals, and visibly show account balances. They also must enforce age restrictions and adhere to consistent operational hours, with tribal casinos operational round the clock.

Other Regulations

Tribal Gaming Considerations

Connecticut’s tribal gaming entities must adhere to stringent testing protocols. Independent testing laboratories must authenticate the integrity and fairness of tickets used in tribal lotteries. While tribes can conduct their testing, the state gaming agency also holds the right to inspect online computer systems, drawing tools, and tickets to ensure the robustness of these systems.

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Standards

Both commercial and tribal gaming operators are mandated by U.S. federal law to have comprehensive measures in place against money laundering and potential financial crimes. Connecticut’s emphasis on AML is evident in its technical standards for sports wagering and online casinos. These standards dictate that operators should establish a rigorous AML framework, ensuring detection and prevention of potential money laundering activities and terrorist financing.

Shipping and Handling of Gaming Devices

Federal law requires that any transportation or shipment of gambling devices be transparent. Every package containing such a device should be labeled in a manner that allows easy identification of the shipper, consignee, and the contents of the package upon inspection.

Political Contributions and Gaming Interests

While tribal compacts don’t explicitly regulate political contributions, under federal jurisdiction, tribes are recognized as “persons”. As a result, their political contributions are governed by the Federal Election Commission.

Consumer Services and Payment Methods

Connecticut’s tribal casinos are permitted to extend credit to their patrons. Moreover, while casinos can adopt cashless gaming systems, they currently do not accept cryptocurrencies as valid payment methods for gambling activities.

Sports Betting

1. Licensing and Operation
   Connecticut has given the nod to its two predominant gaming tribes, the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot, and the Connecticut Lottery to offer sports betting services. While these entities can engage in mobile sports betting, each tribe is allowed only one mobile skin for off-reservation betting. Similarly, the Connecticut Lottery can also roll out its own mobile sports betting platform.
2. Financial Aspects
   Entities keen on providing sports betting services must secure a “master wagering license”. Interestingly, the Connecticut Lottery and the tribes are exempt from any initial or renewal licensing fees. However, online gaming operators collaborating with a master wagering licensee face an initial licensing fee of $250,000, followed by an annual renewal fee of $100,000. Another licensing category is the sports wagering retailer license, carrying an initial and renewal fee of $20,000 each.
   The tax structure in place mandates the tribes to remit a 13.75% tax on off-reservation sports betting earnings. The Connecticut Lottery, being a state entity, is not taxed for sports betting.
3. Restrictions and Mandates
   Sports betting operations must steer clear of placing or accepting bets on collegiate events involving teams or athletes from Connecticut-based colleges or universities. High school sports events are also off-limits for betting. Notably, Connecticut refrains from enforcing the use of official league data or charging sports leagues an integrity fee.

Internet Gaming

Licensing Framework

Both the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes are eligible to offer online casino gaming. Entities providing services to a master wagering licensee, or engaging directly in internet games, need to acquire an online gaming operator license. This license attracts an initial fee of $250,000 and an annual renewal fee of $100,000.

For entities other than online gaming operators, an “online gaming service provider” license is essential. This encompasses manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, services, security providers, payment processors, and other relevant vendors in the online gaming space. Acquiring this license involves an initial and an annual renewal fee of $2,000 each.

Financial Obligations

Master wagering licensees venturing into online casino gaming are subject to a progressive tax structure. For the initial five years post-launch, they need to pay 18% of their Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) to the state. Post the five-year mark, this rate escalates to 20% GGR.

Available Gaming Options

Connecticut permits a variety of online casino games, ranging from slot machines and classic table games to poker.

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Conclusion

Connecticut gambling laws have evolved significantly since the legalization of charitable bingo in 1939. The state has displayed a forward-thinking approach, especially with the legalization of online casinos. These laws have created a vibrant and lucrative gambling landscape in Connecticut, generating substantial state revenues and providing player convenience. The future looks promising with potential expansions into online poker rooms, sports betting, and other digital gambling avenues.

Sources:

• National Council on Problem Gambling
• Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling (CCPG)
• https://www.americangaming.org/state/connecticut/

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