Legislature's finance committee passes sports-betting bill
A legislative committee approved a bill Thursday that could lead to the legalization of sports betting in the state and would authorize online sales of lottery draw tickets.
The Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee passed the measure, 31-16, with some of those voting in the majority nevertheless expressing reservations. Rep. Chris Davis, R-Ellington, said he was supporting the bill for the purposes of discussion despite questions about the provision regarding online lottery sales.
Rep. Devin Carney, R-Old Lyme, voted against the bill, also citing concerns about the part having to do with lottery tickets. “Based on ongoing issues with the lottery, I’m not ready to give them a new task to take on,” he said. “I don’t think they’re prepared for that.”
Rep. Holly Cheeseman, R-East Lyme, voted against the bill, while Sen. Art Linares, R-Westbrook, whose district includes Lyme, Old Saybrook and other towns, voted for it.
Connecticut is one of a number of states that has taken steps to prepare for the legalization of sports betting in the event the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down a federal law that bans states from enacting such legislation. Rhode Island lawmakers this week began seeking requests for proposals from vendors interested in providing sports betting at Twin River Casino in Lincoln and at a Tiverton facility that has yet to open.
In Connecticut, the casino-owning Indian tribes, the lottery and Sportech Venues, operator of the state’s off-track betting facilities, have expressed interest in providing sports betting.
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