Connecticut legislators have decided to take the fate of legal sports betting into their own hands. While CT sports bettors were under the impression that they would not see domestic sports betting until next year, things have quickly changed.
A Push For Emergency Rules
Following in the footsteps of Louisiana, the Nutmeg State has adopted emergency rules that will allow them to kick off legal online sports betting and casino gaming much sooner.
In a 9-4 vote by the Regulations Review Committee, temporary guidelines were approved for a six-month trial period. By the end of these six months, a permanent plan needs to be authorized by both the legislature and the public.
This news comes in light of ongoing stagnation by the U.S. Department of Interior. State legislators have been unable to complete significant action on regulations that affect Connecticut sports betting because of it.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs has less than two weeks to authorize or deny Connecticut’s gambling expansion. Until a decision is made, the state cannot officially authorize domestic sports betting.
Moving Too Fast?
Now, the question is if the emergency rules will hold up throughout the NFL betting season. Obviously, the vote on these rules was not unanimous. Some legislators felt that the matter did not need to be pushed through with such haste.
“[In] the land of steady habits, I’d rather walk instead of run. I don’t see a race here…We’re behind other states as it is. I’d rather get it right.”
– Connecticut Senator John Kissel
The emergency rules were passed without time for a public comment period, a feature that displeased many. Additionally, the legislation itself seemed to have a few holes.
For example, the sports betting emergency rules will not bar patrons from using joint bank accounts to make legal sportsbook deposits. Several lawmakers have vocally opposed this measure, stating the risk it poses for spouses and partners.
The emergency rules also fail to account for alternative payment methods such as PayPal or Venmo, limiting access for players in the state.
Better To Wait It Out
Ideally, Connecticut would like to issue sports betting licenses by NFL kick-off on September 9th. Whether or not that happens, resident bettors are left playing a waiting game.
It is common to want to support your state’s gambling market, but in this situation, it might be better to take advice from Senator Kissel and wait it out. Fortunately, waiting doesn’t mean missing out on all the fun.
Legal online betting has been available to US players for decades via offshore sportsbook sites. These options are safe, experienced, and offer a broader variety of betting lines and casino games.
If you think you may be SOL this NFL season, click around our site and find some options.
Source: AP News
