Connecticut bettors may soon have more betting options.

During a pre-recorded address Wednesday, Gov. Ned Lamont expressed hope that the state will soon be able to offer sports betting and igaming as gambling options as part of a two-year budget plan.

“Our neighboring states are moving forward with sports betting and igaming, and Connecticut should not leave these opportunities for other states to benefit from our inaction,” Lamont said.

The governor added that his administration is actively negotiating with its tribal leaders at the Foxwoods and Mohegan Casinos to add sports betting and igaming. The Hartford Courant reported that talks between the state and the casinos are focused on whether those operators will have exclusive rights to the new betting options, or whether operators such as Sportech, which operates off-track betting in the state, or the Connecticut Lottery Corp. could also be stakeholders.

“My administration has been in active negotiations with our tribal partners to bring the state’s gaming economy into the digital age,” Lamont said. “I am submitting legislation which reflects what I believe to be the best bet in ending this stalemate of inaction in a way which is in the best interest for the entire state.”

Howard Glaser, Global Head of Government Affairs & Special Initiatives for Scientific Games, said in a statement Wednesday that online gambling is “accelerating” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. States with “traditional casinos and lotteries” could reap over $4 billion in new revenue if igaming and sports betting are offered, he said.

“Consumers are increasingly drawn to play casino games online,” Glaser said,
“and Connecticut’s move shows that states are starting to catch up to what their population is demanding.”

SG Digital, a division of Scientific Games, is a provider of sports betting and igaming content.

Glaser cited benefits accrued in other states to bolster the push for igaming and sports betting in Connecticut. In New Jersey, internet gaming produced almost $1 billion in gaming revenue in 2020, twice the amount of 2019, with $145 million in tax revenue earned for the state. In Pennsylvania, internet casino gaming was up more than 700% in December 2020 from the same period in the previous year and accounted for 20% of all casino revenue for the year.

According to the Courant, Lamont’s administration expects to raise $47.3 million in the second year of the budget from expanded gambling.

Rege Behe is lead contributor to CDC Gaming Reports. He can be reached at rbehe@cdcgaming.com. Please follow @RegeBehe_exPTR on Twitter.