Democrats push for sports betting in Connecticut
As a deal with the tribes to expand gambling seems unlikely, Democrats continue to lead a push to legalise sports betting in Connecticut.
US.- Sports betting legalisation in Connecticut is still far as the state continues to negotiate with the tribes. A deal that suits all parties’ interests hasn’t been reached yet, but Democrats are making a final push before the session ends.
State’s House Speaker, Democrat Joe Aresimowicz, wants to take a final shot at legalising sports betting, online gambling and even a Bridgeport casino. “I was not willing to give up on the idea (of the gambling bill),” he said. “This is like a Hail Mary pass to try to get this to work out.”
Aresimowicz has met with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes to try to reach an agreement with them. Even as he recognises it’s a longshot, he says the odds are “better today than they were yesterday.”
The Governor’s take
“We’re trying to get something done, but we’re not going to get it done in this session,” Governor Ned Lamont said. He remains on board with sports betting but wants to resolve all related issued first, including the tribe-related ones.
“I don’t think we’re going to see it happen in this session,” he advanced. “From my point of view, I want a global solution to this thing that’s been stuck in legal limbo for an awful long time. And I’d love to make a deal with Rodney. I’d love to make a deal with Mohegan and MGM in a way that I honour my compact with Rodney and the tribes — that includes internet, it includes sports. But I’m not going to do it if we don’t have a global solution.”
