The US State of Connecticut was largely considered to be one of the states to take up sports betting in 2019, but it now looks like plans to do so have been shelved, certainly until next year. Due in part to objections raised by the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes.
The Bill SB17 to allow sports betting in the state which was introduced at the beginning of 2019, initially gained support from not just the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security, but also the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes.
With Governor of Connecticut Ned Lamont, speaking about SB17 when the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security voted 16 to 8 in it’s favour stating: “There are a lot of moving parts in politics, and I’ve got to bring some folks together to get this done. But I think it’s the right thing for the state, and that’s why I’m going to support it and put my shoulder to the wheel to get it done.”
However, it now transpires details in the bill have caused cause for concern for the tribal leaders and as such it looks like a halt in the progress of SB17 being passed this year.
Lamont talking about SB17’s progress being stalled due to concerns from Tribal Leaders said: “We can do sports betting. We can do internet gambling. I’m trying to find a global solution going forward that honors our commitment to the tribes and make sure we do this in a thoughtful way for the next 20 years.”
