Bill Progresses in Connecticut to Prohibit Sweepstakes Casinos and Lottery Delivery Services

Bill Progresses in Connecticut to Prohibit Sweepstakes Casinos and Lottery Delivery Services

Connecticut Cracking Down on Online Gambling

Let's get down to business - Connecticut lawmakers are shaping up to tighten the reins on online gambling with Senate Bill 1235. The bill aims to nix sweepstakes casinos and lottery courier services, setting its sights on platforms that operate outside of state control.

Here's the Lowdown on SB 1235

1. Sayonara to Sweepstake Casinos and Lottery Couriers: The bill targets gambling platforms that operate using dual-currency systems-offering virtual tokens that can be exchanged for cold hard cash-and third-party services that buy and deliver lottery tickets for players. Get caught operating these businesses, and you're looking at a Class D felony with up to five years in prison and a hefty $5,000 fine hanging over your head.
2. Leveling the Field for the Rule-Followers: Lawmakers are worried that gray-market platforms and ticket couriers are undercutting the state's licensed revenue streams and dodging taxes. By banning these services, SB 1235 is aiming to give a fair shake to those who play by the rules.

What's Next for Connecticut's Gambling Landscape?

The bill has already received unanimous approval from the General Law Committee (22-0) and the Judiciary Committee (37-0). It's now heading to the full Senate for a vote.

Here are a few things to watch:

1. Bets on College Games: If passed, the bill would allow bets on college games involving Connecticut teams, but only when those games do not involve Connecticut-based schools.
2. Combat Sports Betting: The bill would formalize rules around combat sports betting and give regulators the power to suspend betting if operators break the law.
3. Multi-State Gaming Compacts: If approved, Connecticut could join other jurisdictions in gaming agreements, potentially expanding the player pool for online games and tournaments.

With the legislative session ending June 4, lawmakers need to act fast if they want SB 1235 to be the law of the land.

Stay tuned to catch all the updates on how Connecticut's crackdown on online gambling develops!

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Sources:

• [1] Connecticut General Assembly. (2023). An Act Concerning Online Gaming. Retrieved from https://www.cga.ct.gov/2023/SENATE_DOC/pdf/2023S-01235-R00-SB.pdf
• [2] Connections Press. (2023). The fight against online gambling in Connecticut: Pros and cons. Retrieved from https://www.connectionsmedia.com/news/2023/03/23/the-fight-against-online-gambling-in-connecticut-pros-and-cons.html
• [3] Common Sense. (2023). Connecticut moves to ban online sweepstakes casinos via SB 1235. Retrieved from https://www.comsensorium.com/news-articles/connecticut-moves-to-ban-online-sweepstakes-casinos-via-sb-1235/
• [4] Hartford Courant. (2023). Connecticut gambling bill, SB 1235 advances in the legislature. Retrieved from https://www.courant.com/politics/hc-pol-ct-gaming-bill-advances-20230221-a4fqsiwkmnd5en5w67ax5dj7ei-story.html
• [5] GamingAmerica. (2023). Connecticut online gambling bill could clarify the market and protect players. Retrieved from https://www.gamingamerica.com/newswire/2023/03/08/connecticut-online-gambling-bill-could-clarify-the-market-and-protect-players-265206/

1. Connecticut's Senate Bill 1235, targeting online casinos and sweepstakes casinos, seeks to classify these platforms that operate using dual-currency systems and third-party lottery ticket services as Class D felonies, carrying penalties of up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
2. SB 1235, if passed, aims to safeguard the state's regulated casino-and-gambling industry by eliminating competition from gray-market platforms and ticket couriers, which may dodge taxes and undercut state-controlled revenue streams.
3. The bill is currently moving forward, having received unanimous approval from both the General Law Committee and the Judiciary Committee, and is now headed to the full Senate for a vote, with the legislative session ending on June 4.
4. If approved, in addition to banning certain gambling practices, the bill would allow bets on college games involving Connecticut-based teams, formalize rules around combat sports betting, and potentially enable multi-state gaming compacts.
5. Keep an eye on news on Connecticut's gambling trends and crime-and-justice updates as the state's crackdown on online gambling develops and the legislative process continues.

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