Connecticut bill to ban online sweepstakes and lottery couriers heads to Senate
SB 1235 was reported favorably out of the Legislative Commissioners’ Office.
US.- Senate Bill 1235, which would ban lottery couriers and online sweepstakes in Connecticut, is heading to the full state floor after passing the Legislative Commissioners’ Office. The proposal, which was put forward by the General Law Committee in February, had already passed the state’s Judiciary Committee by a 37-0 vote and the Joint Committee on General Law 22-0.
The bill, which was recommended by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (CDCP), would prohibit lottery ticket resales by third-parties and sweepstakes or promotional draws that facilitate “real or simulated online casino gaming or sports wagering”. The legislation also proposes an expansion of legal betting options, including betting on Connecticut college teams and would allow the state’s governor to authorise multijurisdictional gaming compacts.
The bill would classify the operation of an illegal gambling business as a Class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. If passed by the Senate, it will still need approval from the Connecticut House. The Connecticut legislative session ends on June 4.
