Connecticut to legalise sports betting
The state of Connecticut is expected to legalise sports betting before 2019 if PASPA gets revoked by the US Supreme Court.
US.- The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 could soon be struck down by the US Supreme Court after New Jersey challenged the federal ban on the segment. In case that happens, Connecticut is ready to get sports betting authorised before the end of 2018 as the state expects to collect tens of millions of dollars annually.
Connecticut wants to take over the state’s black market which is estimated to be worth between US$60 and US$150 billion. In order for that to happen, the state would have to pass a legislation to legalise the segment, but Mohegan Chairman Kevin Brown believes it could happen during next year’s regular session
“You’re unlikely to have a lot of disagreement among the stakeholders,” said managing director of Las Vegas-based Eilers & Krejcik Gaming Chris Grove and explained: “In Connecticut, relative to other states, you’ve already got an infrastructure in place in Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun (casinos), you’ve got financial need and the current legal momentum.”
As the state’s legislature approved a bill which requires the commissioner of consumer protection to adopt sports betting regulations shortly before the Supreme Court’s decision to take up New Jersey’s appeal, “It does seem like the stars are aligning,” as the Mashantuckets’ tribal chairman Rodney Butler said.
