Connecticut Bill May Cap Online Sports Wagers, Expand Poker Market

Connecticut bill, SB01464, could lead to the establishment of maximum wager limits for online sports betting while also setting the stage for the state to the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) for online poker. The legislation, backed by the Connecticut House General Law Committee, was sent to the Senate’s t Committee on General Law on March 6 for further review.

Potential Wager Limits for Online Betting

The bill primarily aims to expand online poker in Connecticut by allowing operators to participate in MSIGA, which currently includes Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Michigan, and West Virginia. However, within the bill’s language is a provision that suggests the introduction of maximum betting limits for online sports wagering.

The specific clause states: “The maximum sports wagers established for online sports wagering in regulations adopted pursuant to section 12-865, as amended by this act.” While the bill does not specify any numerical limits, it does mandate that the Commissioner of Consumer Protection create regulations to set these caps. The bill’s “Statement of Purpose” further confirms this intent, stating it would “disclose the maximum sports wagers established for online sports wagering” and require regulatory measures to enforce them.

Connecticut’s Expanding Betting Market

Since Connecticut legalized sports betting in October 2021, the state has seen more than $6 billion in total wagers, with online betting ing for over 95% of the market. The state currently has three licensed sportsbooks: FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics. DraftKings and FanDuel operate under agreements with tribal gaming entities, while Fanatics partners with the Connecticut Lottery.

The market has demonstrated consistent growth, with the highest monthly betting volumes recorded between September 2024 and January 2025. Given this rapid expansion, the proposed bill could significantly impact operators and bettors, depending on how wager limits are structured in future amendments.

Beyond potential betting caps, the bill also clarifies definitions related to sports wagering. It broadens the definition of a wager to include free play, loyalty points, and other non-monetary betting credits that carry uncertain outcomes.

Additionally, consumer protection measures are a key aspect of the legislation. One provision would require the establishment of a toll-free helpline for bettors encountering issues. Another would mandate that operators halt wagering on events if odds-related errors are detected, ensuring full refunds for affected customers.

Connecticut’s Path to MSIGA hip

The bill also outlines a framework for Connecticut to expand online poker offerings. As of now, online poker is legal in the state but remains limited to in-state play. If ed, the legislation would allow the governor to enter into agreements with other states or tribal entities for multijurisdictional peer-to-peer (P2P) casino gaming, effective July 1, 2025.

By ing MSIGA, Connecticut players could compete against opponents from other member states in online poker games and tournaments. Currently, West Virginia, despite being a member of MSIGA, has yet to launch online poker, while Pennsylvania only offers intrastate poker.

SB01464 is one of several gambling-related bills introduced in Connecticut this year. In January, Representative Tony Scott proposed five legislative measures addressing various aspects of sports betting, including a bill to establish maximum hold percentages for operators and another advocating for the legalization of in-state college betting.

Additionally, Representative Christopher Rosario introduced a proposal to regulate and authorize in-flight sports betting on flights connected to Connecticut. Meanwhile, a separate bill introduced in February sought to prohibit online sweepstakes and lottery ticket courier services from operating in the state.

Despite the influx of gambling-related proposals, none of these bills have advanced beyond committee discussions at this stage. As SB01464 progresses, lawmakers will determine whether explicit wager limits will be included in the final version and how Connecticut’s participation in MSIGA might unfold.

Source:

‘’New CT bill would establish posted betting limits, enable poker compacting’’, sbcamericas.com, March 07, 2025.