House Bill 5284 (sHB5284 File No. 271) proposes comprehensive changes to Connecticut's gaming statutes. The bill introduces new definitions, such as "gaming laboratory" and "keno," and renumbers existing definitions to accommodate these additions. It mandates that the Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC) obtain approval from the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) for procedures related to gaming integrity and requires testing and certification of lottery gaming systems, draw games, and keno by a gaming laboratory. The DCP is tasked with developing technical standards for testing, which must be posted online and reviewed annually. The bill also amends Section 12-810 to apply the Freedom of Information Act to the CLC with certain exceptions, and Section 12-815a to detail the licensing process for vendors, affiliates, lottery sales agents, and occupational licenses, including a nonrefundable application fee.

The bill further specifies that lottery sales agents must be licensed and provide detailed information for background checks. It introduces a provisional authorization process for applicants to work while their application is processed, and outlines incident reporting requirements for disruptions to the lottery gaming system. The bill expands the definition of "business organization," clarifies terms like "control" and "person," and updates definitions related to tribal gaming, online gaming, and sports wagering. It also revises the licensing process for key employees, removing the option for third-party background checks in favor of fingerprint-based checks. The bill sets legal age and physical presence requirements for wagering and fantasy contests, mandates security measures for wagering accounts, and imposes strict advertising and marketing standards for gaming activities. Additionally, the bill protects personal information of individuals in the self-exclusion process and extends wagering restrictions to live game employees and their households. It also updates the fee schedule for occupational and business entity licenses and expands the jurisdiction of DCP special police officers. Finally, the bill prohibits the use of animals as prizes in games and raffles, with certain exceptions, and outlines the fiscal impact of these changes, including costs for testing and certification and potential revenue gains from sports betting expansion. The bill is effective upon passage, with some provisions taking effect on October 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 12-806a, 12-815a, 12-863, 12-864, 12-578, 53-250
PS Joint Favorable Substitute: 12-806a, 12-815a, 12-863, 12-864, 12-578, 53-250
File No. 271: 12-806a, 12-815a, 12-863, 12-864, 12-578, 53-250