The state government and the Mohegan Tribe signed a new Connecticut online gambling agreement. It would allow residents to gamble using their mobile phones. However, the agreement still needs approval from the General Assembly.
Also, it lacks support from the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe. Both the Pequots and Mohegans operate casinos on their reservations. The new agreement would be the most significant gambling expansion in the state since the 1990s.
The Connecticut Lottery operates online gambling and sports betting, which competes with the tribal casinos. Once approved, the Connecticut Lottery and tribes would operate gambling and sports betting websites.
New Connecticut Online Gambling Agreement
According to a casino forum, the Connecticut Lottery operates sports betting venues in Bridgeport and Hartford. Also, the Lottery would have its sportsbook brand or skin. Players can access sports betting, lottery games, poker, online slots, and other games through their mobile devices.
As per online gambling sources, the state has been negotiating with the two tribes. However, it only managed to get an agreement with the Mohegans. The Mashantucket Pequots don’t like the 20 percent tax on online gambling.
Connecticut could get online gaming before 2021 ends. However, it would likely launch in 2022 due to court challenges by other gambling companies. The state hopes to earn up to $200 million from the gambling expansion. Also, the tribes have the potential to earn hundreds of millions.
There would be a 20 percent tax on online gambling and 13.75 percent on sports betting. Governor Ned Lamont hopes the state could earn at least $50 million from online gambling by 2022.
The Connecticut Lottery has 15 sports betting locations aside from its extensive betting facilities in Bridgeport and Hartford. The state wants to expand its gambling options because most of its neighbors have already legalized online gambling.