Public Safety and Security Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-146
AN ACT AUTHORIZING SPORTS WAGERING, ONLINE CASINO GAMING,
Title: ONLINE LOTTERY AND ONLINE KENO.
Vote Date: 3/24/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 3/2/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Public Safety and Security Committee
Co-Sponsors:
Sen. Catherine A. Osten, 19th Dist. Sen. Norman Needleman, 33rd Dist.
Rep. Holly H. Cheeseman, 37th Dist. Sen. Eric C. Berthel, 32nd Dist.
Sen. Saud Anwar, 3rd Dist. Sen. Jorge Cabrera, 17th Dist.
Rep. Susan M. Johnson, 49th Dist. Sen. Heather S. Somers, 18th Dist.
Rep. Toni E. Walker, 93rd Dist. Sen. Derek Slap, 5th Dist.
Sen. Paul M. Formica, 20th Dist. Sen. James J. Maroney, 14th Dist.
Rep. Mike France, 42nd Dist. Rep. Kevin Ryan, 139th Dist.
Et Al.
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill will authorize sports wagering, online casino gaming, online lottery and online keno in
the State of Connecticut. By allowing sports wagering, online casino gaming, online lottery
and online keno will provide additional revenue to the State of Connecticut. Connecticut will
better be able to compete with its neighbors by allowing for sports wagering, online casino
gaming, online lottery and online keno. This bill works with the tribes of Mashantucket Pequot
Tribe and Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut.
Substitute Language
The substitute language removed provisions that authorize certain types of gaming in the
state pursuant to agreements with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and the Mohegan Tribe of
Indians of CT. It also gives specific amounts paid to municipalities from the Mashantucket
Pequot and Mohegan Fund, in addition distributions to tourism and problem gambling
activities, if sports wagering and online casino gaming are authorized by agreements with the
tribes and legislation.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
None Expressed
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
General Assembly, State of Connecticut, Signed by: Sen. Osten, Rep. Conley, Sen.
Needleman, Rep. Ryan, Rep. Nolan, Rep. de la Cruz
The above write in support of this bill. Connecticut's federally-recognized Native American
Tribal Nations play a critically important role in creating jobs, driving regional tourism and
generating much needed revenue for the state of Connecticut. Over 30 years, it has created
thousands of jobs and over $9 billion in revenue. With this bill, we embrace the
modernization of the gaming industry in our great state. Working within the existing
framework established by gaming compacts with these tribal nations this legislation permits
operation of sports betting and internet gaming. This bill is a win-win for our tribal partners,
the state of CT lottery and most of the citizens of our state.
Rodney Butler, Tribal Chairman, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
Mr. Butler is in support of this bill. This has been a long process over the last several years.
The Public Safety Committee have more than any other a deep understanding and
appreciation of the tribal/state relationship regarding CT overall gaming policy. We are
willing, ready and able to implement sports betting and iGaming. Assuming legislature acts
quickly to implement the governing framework, Foxwoods along with our partners at
DraftKings can be up and running in a matter of months-as soon as BIA approval is granted.
Holly Cheeseman, Representative, State of Connecticut
Rep. Cheeseman is in support of this bill. In 2018 the Supreme Court ruled in Murphy v.
National Collegiate Athletic Association that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection
Act violated the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This ruling effectively removed
federal level restrictions on sports wagering. Since then, numerous states, have passed
legislation authorizing such wagers. Connecticut is well placed to follow suit, given our
partnership with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribal Nations. This bill provides a
comprehensive way forward on a number of other gaming opportunities while offering
additional financial support to our towns and cities throughout Connecticut.
Paul Formica, Senator, State of Connecticut
Sen. Formica is in support of this bill. Our legislature has been having a lot of conversation
lately about "getting with the times" and I write to urge you to support these measures to
introduce sports betting and online gaming as the latest efforts to stay relevant. CT is on the
verge of being left in the dust of our neighbors in choosing whether to adapt alongside an
industry who has had to move their operations from largely in-person to almost entirely
online. Our state will be embarking on the toughest economic recovery it has seen in a
lifetime, it is imperative CT is equipped with every possible tool to succeed. The bill continues
to build on the strong bi-partisan partnership it has with the Tribes. The slot revenue from the
two tribes is $260 million annually and the state cannot afford to lose that.
The tribes also have philanthropic activities, creates tens of thousands of jobs and the two
casino resorts are the two largest in the world and their history and love for their land and
people cannot be lost. Connecticut jobs will be protected by investing in online technology
and continuing the partnership with the Tribal Nations.
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Kathleen M. McCarty, Representative, State of Connecticut
Rep. McCarty is in support of this bill. The devastating economic aspects of COVID-19 did
not spare the gaming industry at the casinos, yet the Tribes steadfastly honored their
commitment to the state by continuing to pay 25% of gross revenue which is approximately
$200 million for this fiscal year. SB 146 would honor the exclusivity agreement allowing
sports betting and iGaming to fall under the scope of casino games run exclusively by the
Tribes. This would add an additional $40 million in revenue to the state
Diana Goode, Executive Director, CT Council on Problem Gambling
Ms. Goode supports with changes. There are many positive factors that go into the
expansion of gaming and we are sure that several of the other testifiers will fully explain those
benefits to the state. It is also important to understand that problem gambling affects real
people and their families. Statistically speaking that means over 100,000 citizens and over
275,000 family members are impacted by problem gambling disorders every day. CCPG
recommends several actions to be considered as part of a larger safety net. Details in posted
testimony.
Robert T. Simmelkjaer II, Chairperson, Board of Directors, Gregory Smith, CEO,
Connecticut Lottery
They are in support of this bill with CT Lottery as a primary operator. The time has come for
the State of Connecticut to legalize sports betting and we ask the committee to include the
Lottery as a primary operator. In the growing market, many states have turned to their lottery
to operate sports betting. Lotteries have years of experience operating statewide networks
and managing system operators, including offerings at casinos, social locations, traditional
retailers and online.
The following also submitted testimony in support of SB146 with changes:
Elizabeth Bolster, Lead Wardrobe Supervision, Yale Repertory Theatre/Yale School of
Drama
Wendy Bury, Executive Director, Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition
Christopher DeMatteo, Attorney & Counselor at Law, DeMatteo Legal Solutions
Neal Eskin, Senior Associate Athletic Director, University of Connecticut
Daniel Fitzmaurice, Executive Director, Arts Council of Greater New Haven
Joy Ford, Board Chair, Creative Art Workshops, New Haven
George McCloskey, Vice President, Standard Petroleum Company
Marie Feeley, VP, General Counsel and Secretary and Interim Director of Athletics,
University of Hartford
Jeff Morris, VP of Public Affairs and Government Relations, Penn National Gaming
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Jonathan Nabavi, Vice President, Public Policy & Government Affairs, NFL
The Players Association
Brett Thompson, Interim Executive Director, Connecticut Arts Alliance and Frank
Burns, Executive Director, Connecticut Tourism Coalition
Jennifer Widness, President, The Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges
Colleen M Murphy, Executive Director, Mary Schwind, Managing Director , Associate
General Counsel, Statements of the Freedom of Information Commission
Rufus de Rham, Executive Director, Warner Theatre Torrington, CT
Katherine Kowalczyk, Director, The New Haven Documentary Film Festival
There is more testimony that support with changes on the CGA website.
The following support this bill:
Trevor Hayes, Head of Government Relations, William Hill US
Jack Maloney, Shea's Pizzeria & Sports Bar, Manchester, CT
Andrew Winchell, Director of Government Affairs, FanDuel Group, Inc.
Ted Taylor, President of Sportech Venues, Inc.
Steve Sigel, Executive Director, Garde Arts Center
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Les Bernal, National Director, Stop Predatory Gambling
Les Bernal is in opposition to the bill. The non-profit based in Washington, D.C., Stop
Predatory Gambling is a national social reform network of individuals and partner groups with
members of more than 1 million citizens, who believe people are worth more than money.
There are several reasons why these gambling bills are not in the public interest. Mr. Bernal
includes these reasons in his testimony. They include epidemic of child gambling and the tax
dollars derived from citizen gambling losses to commercialized sports betting and other forms
of state-sanctioned gambling represent a form of systemic racial discrimination if not by intent
then by effect.
Susan J. Bevan, Resident
Ms. Bevan strongly opposes this bill. We do not need the peril the financial stability of our
residents by offering more of the highly addictive and personally devastating impact of
gambling on those who can least afford it.
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John Carroll, Resident
Mr. Carroll writes in opposition to the bill. As one who has personally witnessed the disease
of compulsive gambling, do not pass these bills. Compulsive gambling has a deep, lasting
adverse effect on a portion of the Connecticut population: emotionally, financially, martially,
medically, and employment wise. Much of this is "under the radar" with CT legislators who
may only be looking at the revenue.
Yoga Kammili and Jacob Luecke, Medical Students, UConn School of Medicine
Yoga Kammili and Jacob Luecke write that though they understand the benefits to the state
revenue, gambling is addictive. Problem gambling affects the lives of our future patients and
their loved ones. Adolescents are increasingly susceptible to problem gambling, this is due
to inherent developmental and cognitive immaturity. We may find ourselves in a treatment
stalemate with adolescent populations in the management of gambling disorders.
Michele Mudrick, Legislative Advocate, Southern New England Conference United
Church of Christ, Director of the Coalition Against Casino Expansion in Connecticut
Ms. Mudrick is in opposition to this bill. We have joined together in a non-partisan alliance to
urge that no new casinos be built in our state and that there be no further expansion of
gambling in CT. Commercialized gambling lures you into gambling as you are going to win
money, but this financial exchange is mathematically rigged against you, so you lose money.
All of God's children deserve opportunities to live and thrive in their communities and putting
a casino in a community and expanding gambling is not a way people can thrive.
Patrick Thibodeau, Resident
Mr. Thibodeau is opposed to this bill. Online gambling raises unique privacy, date collection
and equity issues. If this legislation is on track for approval there should be privacy
protections for online gambling, realize gambling is a health issue and there should be
reporting to state authorities anonymized demographic information about their customers, as
well as problem gambling rates, by city, town, zip code or neighborhood. Do not approve
these bills.
Michele Vannelli, Resident
Ms. Vannelli is opposed to this bill. She has always been opposed to gambling of any kind in
Connecticut. Do not look at these bills as the goose that will lay golden eggs, look at the big
picture and the long-term ramifications.
Yale University
Yale University is opposed to this bill. Yale opposes this bill as drafted. Any legalization of
college sports betting would change the character of the competition and present serious
risks to its integrity. Yale firmly believes it is in the best interest of students and student-
athletes to oppose this legislation as drafted.
The following also submitted opposition
Martha Diamant, Resident
Carla Dietz, Reverend, MA, M. Div.
Ralph C. Jones, Jr.
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Reported by: Bonnie Gray, Asst. Clerk Date: 4/1/2021
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Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 12-578f, 12-806c, 12-801, 12-806, 12-806a, 12-810, 12-811, 12-812, 12-816, 12-557b, 12-561, 12-578h, 52-553, 52-554, 53-278g, 3-55i
PS Joint Favorable Substitute: 3-55i, 3-55j, 3-55l, 3-55m, 12-801, 12-812, 12-818, 10-395b
File No. 395: 3-55i, 3-55j, 3-55l, 3-55m, 12-801, 12-812, 12-818, 10-395b