Editor's Note: The original version of this article stated the bill included a lottery courier ban. Senate Bill 1235 initially included a provision to ban lottery couriers, but this provision was removed through an amendment before the bill was put to a vote in the Senate.
The bill, without the lottery courier ban, was passed unanimously by the Connecticut Senate and sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.
The Connecticut Senate unanimously passed a bill to prevent online sweepstakes casinos from conducting business in the state.
Senate Bill 1235 (SB 1235), which the General Law Committee sponsored, passed on May 22 by 36-0 after the proposal was subject to a floor amendment. It proceeds to the House of Representatives, with the 2025 legislative session scheduled to close on June 4.
Key takeaways
- The proposal includes measures to expand regulated gambling, including multi-state compacts and broader sports betting options.
- The legislation strengthens advertising rules and grants the Department of Consumer Protection more enforcement power.
SB 1235 prevents operating or promoting sweepstakes or promotional drawings on simulated gambling devices, or permitting real or simulated online casino gaming or sports wagering. The bill excludes in-store retailer promotions tied to grocery store purchases, provided the promos aren't cash-equivalent awards.
Connecticut is part of a broader national effort to clamp down on unregulated gaming. Last week, Montana became the first state to legislatively ban online sweepstakes casinos. Likewise, a companion bill cleared Louisiana's Senate and is speeding its way through the House.
Connecticut bill offers gambling expansion
In addition to prohibition, SB 1235 seeks to expand and delineate the regulatory climate toward legitimate gaming in the state. It includes provisions that would make illegal gambling activities a Class D felony, punishable by up to five years' imprisonment and a $5,000 fine.
One primary reason for the bill is to protect Connecticut's legalized internet gaming framework. The state already licensed two online casino websites, either in partnership with the Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods Resort Casino. Lawmakers pointed to the need to protect this regulated industry's integrity and economic health.
The proposal also sets a path for expanding Connecticut's participation in online interstate gaming. When passed, it would let the governor negotiate multi-state gaming compacts with other jurisdictions. It would allow Connecticut to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) with New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
Although online poker is legal in Connecticut, no operators offer it due to the state's limited customer pool. Multi-state compacts would ease this situation by expanding the market and making online poker more viable for operators.
The bill also recommends expanding the existing Connecticut sports betting sites. It would allow wagering on state-college squads in tournament play and combat sports such as boxing and mixed martial arts—two categories state law once excluded.
Another aspect of the proposal concerns gambling advertising standards. It includes provisions for not targeting ads to children and other vulnerable people and for not making ads deceitful, either by design or default.
These guidelines reflect increasing national concern about the social responsibility of gambling operators and advertisements.
