-
Casinos for you
Connecticut's Tribal Gaming Compacts Win DOI Approval
By Jeff Osienya Sep 14, 2021 LegalityConnecticut tribal gaming expansion compacts receive the federal green light as the state enters the final round of preparations. Regulated sports betting and iGaming are expected to go live in the Nutmeg State sometime in October.The journey to expanded gambling and regulated sports betting in Connecticut is almost concluding after the state’s amended gaming compacts were okayed by the US Department of the Interior (DOI).
After what seemed like a tug of war between the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribal nations, the two tribes and Gov. Ned Lamont’s office eventually settled on a new gaming compact in March. From there, the measure to introduce regulated sports betting, fantasy sports, and iGaming in the Nutmeg State was taken to the state legislature, where it received overwhelming approval in May.
In the same month, Governor Lamont wasted no time and rubberstamped the tribal-state gaming expansion compact and forwarded them to the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs under the DOI. Finally, after over three months of waiting, the federal thumps up came last week, on Thursday afternoon.
Gov. Lamont and Tribal Chair Laud the Federal Win
With the last pass-check from the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs, the two Connecticut Native American tribes now have the leeway to start offering retail and online sports betting in their casinos. On top of that, the tribes are also free to expand their gambling offering to online casino games.
Based on the agreed-upon compact, the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribal nations can run two skins each: one for sports betting and another for iGaming. If they like, the tribes can also start offering daily fantasy sports within their reservation lands.
Governor Lamont embraced the DOI approval saying:
Quote“This critical step in the process of modernizing our gaming landscape here in Connecticut ensures that our state will have a competitive, nation-leading marketplace for wagering both in-person and online. I thank the Bureau of Indian Affairs for approving these revisions, as well as the efforts of our partners with the Mohegan Tribe and Mashantucket Pequot Tribe. Today’s announcement puts Connecticut on the cusp of providing a modern, technologically advanced gaming experience that will be competitive with our neighboring states and positions us for success into the future.”
Like Gov. Lamont, James Gessner, the Chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Chairman, welcomed DOI’s move in a media briefing as follows:
Quote“Modernizing our gaming industry will help protect and create Connecticut jobs, and it will generate tax revenues to the benefit of both state and local municipal budgets, as well as our tribe’s members. This is not just a regional issue – it will have a statewide impact as Connecticut works to meet critical needs as it recovers from the pandemic. Today is a milestone achievement for Connecticut and its tribal nations.”
The tribes aside, the Connecticut Lottery Corporation has the authorization to operate a single sports wagering skin, plus 15 retail sports betting venues. However, the Lottery Corporation’s land-based sports betting shops must at least be outside a 25-mile radius away from tribal reservation land.
Connecticut’s Regulations Review Committee Ratified Gambling Rules
Meanwhile, as the tribes were holding their breath waiting for federal okay for the state’s gaming compact, the Connecticut Regulations Review Committee was working on market regulations. Last week on Tuesday, two days before DOI’s tribal-state compact approval, the Committee confirmed a final list of regulations that iGaming and sports betting vendors (outside tribal land) are to follow.
This Review Committee is composed of 14 members with a 50-50 ratio of Democrats and Republicans. The team’s task was establishing how retail sports betting and casino gaming will function, entities that are allowed to participate, and how the licensing process will be carried out.
The Nutmeg State’s Expanded Gaming Market Poised for an October Debut
Connecticut’s amended tribal compacts will come into effect after publication on the Federal Register. After that, the Nutmeg State’s Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) has to authorize all the vendors and suppliers that gaming and sports betting operators plan to use. From there, operators are required to issue a 10-day notice to the DCP before going live.
Per Connecticut’s recently drafted gaming regulations, there will be a 7-day soft-launch period after operators notify the DCP. During this soft launch, the state’s gaming watchdog will oversee the activity and give the operators room to streamline the process and fix any errors before the official debut.
Following the completion of all the administrative tasks, the Connecticut Lottery, Mohegan Sun by the Mohegan Tribe, and Mashantucket Pequot’s Foxwoods will be good to go. For sports betting, the trio has partnered with Rush Street Interactive’s BetRivers, FanDuel, and DraftKings, respectively, and officials from all three plan for an October launch.
You might also like