Connecticut Sports Betting Legislation
Track every bill that shaped — and continues to shape — Connecticut's sports betting market. From the foundational Public Act 21-23 through the 2026 expansion debate, this page is updated as bills move through committee and the General Assembly.
Public Act 21-23 — The Law That Legalized CT Sports Betting
Public Act 21-23 was signed by Governor Ned Lamont on May 27, 2021. It is the foundational statute authorizing online sports betting, retail sports betting, online casino, online lottery, and daily fantasy sports in Connecticut. It also formalized the renegotiated tribal gaming compacts with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes, which had to be approved by the US Department of the Interior under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act before launch could proceed.
Key Provisions
Three Operator Cap
Public Act 21-23 limits the online sports betting market to three master licenses: one for each federally recognized tribe (Mashantucket Pequot, Mohegan), and one for the Connecticut Lottery Corporation.
13.75% Sports Betting Tax
Sports betting (online and retail) is taxed at 13.75% of net sports betting proceeds. Online casino is separately taxed at 18% for the first five years of operation, rising to 20% thereafter. April 2026 monthly reports showed the effective tax-to-GGR ratio drifting to 11.2% due to expanded promotional play deductions.
In-State College Prohibition
Per CT.gov, single-game wagers on in-state college teams (UConn, Yale, Central CT, Sacred Heart, etc.) are never permitted — moneyline, spread, total, and player props are blocked at all times, including during the NCAA Tournament. The only allowed wager is a futures bet on the entire tournament outcome, placed before the tournament begins.
21+ Age Requirement
All sports betting in CT requires participants to be at least 21 years old. This is stricter than the 18+ requirement for horse racing.
Geolocation
Wagers must be placed by individuals physically located within Connecticut state lines. GeoComply is the standard verification provider used by all three licensed operators.
Esports Authorized
CT is one of a handful of states to explicitly authorize betting on esports. Excludes wagers on contests involving CT-affiliated competitive teams outside sanctioned events.
CT Lottery Retail Cap
The CT Lottery may operate up to 15 retail sports betting locations across the state, with restrictions: no location may be within 25 miles of either tribal casino without tribal consent.
Problem Gambling Fund
Operators contribute to the Chronic Gamblers Treatment Rehabilitation Account. As of 2026, the contribution rate is 1% of gross gaming revenue — proposed legislation would raise this to 3%.
Active Connecticut Sports Betting Bills
Three bills are currently moving through the 2026 General Assembly session. None have been enacted as of this update.
Campus Advertising & Prediction Markets Study
Passed House May 4 and Senate May 6, 2026. Restricts gambling advertising in college athletic facilities and on higher-education digital platforms (with limited exceptions for general-audience logos and disclosures). Requires operators to offer a customer service telephone number. Orders a study of prediction markets in CT. Governor Lamont has 15 days to sign or it takes effect automatically.
Sports Betting Integrity Act
Passed both chambers with strong bipartisan support. Expands existing anti-cheating laws to make match-fixing, collusion, and the misuse of insider information for sports betting purposes a criminal offense. Targets the integrity of in-state sports wagering.
Credit Card Ban & Ad Restrictions — Did Not Pass
Passed House 100-46 in 2025 with credit-card deposit ban and broad advertising restrictions on "financial incentive" promotions. Stalled in Senate without floor action; cited insufficient tribal industry consultation. May return in 2027 session.
Bill statuses change frequently during the General Assembly session. We update this tracker after committee votes, public hearings, and floor actions. For real-time status, consult the Connecticut General Assembly website.
Connecticut Sports Betting Legislative Timeline
Legislation FAQ
When did sports betting become legal in Connecticut?
Public Act 21-23 was signed by Governor Ned Lamont on May 27, 2021. Retail betting launched September 30, 2021, and online betting went live October 19, 2021 after a 7-day soft launch.
Why are there only 3 sportsbooks in Connecticut?
The 3-operator cap is the result of negotiated tribal gaming compacts with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes, plus a separate license carve-out for the Connecticut Lottery. Adding more operators would require renegotiating the compacts and potentially federal IGRA review.
Will Connecticut allow more sportsbooks in the future?
Not in the near term. No 2025 or 2026 bill has proposed expanding the operator pool — the active 2026 measures (HB 5229 advertising rules, SB 296 integrity) leave the three-operator cap intact. The tribal gaming compacts that protect the cap run through 2031, and tribal opposition to expansion remains a structural barrier.
Can BetMGM or Caesars operate in Connecticut?
Not currently. Major operators including BetMGM, Caesars, BetRivers, ESPN BET, and Hard Rock Bet are all blocked from CT under the 3-operator cap. They would need to acquire one of the existing licenses or wait for legislative expansion.
What is the Connecticut sports betting tax rate?
Both online and retail sports betting are taxed at 13.75% of net sports betting proceeds. Online casino is separately taxed at 18% (rising to 20% after the first five years of operation). The April 2026 monthly report from CT DCP showed the effective tax-to-GGR ratio at 11.2%, slightly below the statutory 13.75% rate due to operators deducting promotional play credits.
Are there any current bills to change sports betting law in CT?
As of mid-May 2026, two bills passed both chambers and await Governor Lamont's signature: HB 5229 (college campus advertising limits and a prediction markets study) and SB 296 (criminalizes match-fixing and sports-betting integrity violations). Both received strong bipartisan support. Lamont has 15 days to sign or they take effect automatically.