Connecticut Is Now The Sixth State To Legalize Online Poker

Online poker is now legal in Connecticut after Governor Ned Lamont signed a gambling expansion bill, paving the way for regulated online poker, sports betting, and online casino in the state. The Governor signed the bill into existence on May 27.

House Bill 6451 went through the state’s Senate just this week on a 28-6 vote. Lamont, a prominent online gambling advocate, quickly approved the bill into law, a move welcomed by stakeholders. Connecticut has now become the sixth US state to legalize online poker, joining Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Michigan.

After approving the measure, Gov. Lamont issued a statement, saying the state is now well-positioned for more success in the future.

CBS New York

 

Connecticut’s two major casinos, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods, are operated and controlled by the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes. The bill’s passage means that both tribal casinos are now allowed to offer sports betting and online casino games. The Connecticut Lottery will also be able to conduct sports wagering, as part of a deal negotiated back in March between Gov. Lamont and the two tribes.

With Connecticut’s tribes on the same page as the Governor on gambling expansion, the state did not have to go through many hurdles to legalize online gambling.

Both tribes lauded the bill’s quick passage, and thanked Gov. Lamont and the legislators for their support. Connecticut is now in a better position to compete with neighboring states in terms of online gaming, according to Mohegan Tribal Council Chairman James Gessner Jr. Rodney Butler of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe also welcomed the latest development, saying it would usher the state in the modern era of gaming.

Connecticut Eyes Fall Launch

The target date for expanded gambling to take effect in Connecticut is July 1, but local players will have to wait a bit longer before they can play real-money online poker as the legislation also requires approval from the US Department of Interior (DOI), which supervises the tribal gaming sector across the country.

Both the Bureau of Indian Affairs at the DOI and the National Indian Gaming Commission will need to sign the new tribal compact before Connecticut could officially launch its own regulated online gambling market, and state and tribal officials are confident it would happen very soon.

The approval process is expected to take several weeks, but hopes are high that the state will be able to launch online gambling this fall.