Connecticut Revamps Sports Betting Laws
Mike Goodpaster Published 29/05/2026
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has signed into law a pair of bills that will significantly impact how sports betting operates in the state. One bill is changing the definition of cheating in Connecticut law to include the attempt to rig the outcome of a sporting event. It will make match fixing a felony.
The second bill signed by Lamont will put restrictions in place on gambling ads posted or shown on college campuses. It also mandates the institution of a toll-free number that will enable problem gamblers to quickly access support from experts.
New laws will tighten the integrity of Connecticut's sports betting
Governor Lamont signed both House Bill 5529 (HB 5529) and Senate Bill 296 (SB 296) into law. These bills are changing the way in which consumer protection, sports betting advertising, and betting on college sports work under Connecticut law.
The first bill, HB 5529, was introduced to restrict gaming advertising at college and university campuses. It also establishes requirements regarding the withdrawal of funds from gaming accounts. The bill requires gaming licensees to maintain customer service telephone numbers and bar the use of artificial intelligence for targeting certain bets to customers making online sports wagers.
Introduced by the state judiciary committee, SB 296 has as its purpose to increase the maximum amount of restitution available under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act. It also makes consistent statutory provisions concerning record retention under the act and updates the state's cheating statute to include provisions to cover sports wagering.
The state is seeking to protect the integrity of sports betting
The purpose of this law is the to tighten up the integrity of sports betting. It redefines the state's definition of cheating to include the rigging or match fixing of games, along with collusion and using confidential information to gain an advantage in sports betting. This update was a necessary move. None of these factors was given inclusion in the original law. That law was passed before sports betting was legalized in Connecticut in 2021.
The revisions to the law include penalties for anyone connected to the manipulation of sports betting outcomes. This punishment could carry penalties that include fines of up to $5,000, up to five years in prison, or both. Before Lamont signed it into law, SB 296 was passed unanimously in both legislative chambers of the state assembly.
Connecticut is moving to protect young adults from the dangers of sports betting
Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal is a staunch advocate for better federal control over the sports betting industry. He believes that sports betting sites prey on younger adults as they look to build a long-term customer base.
"Micro bets, prop bets. They know what they're doing," Blumenthal said when speaking during a recent forum on the impacts of youth gambling held at Sacred Heart University. "Often, young people don't realize how vulnerable they can be in effect, betting against the house. The house wins."
Sports betting industry lobbyists counter that they impose strict age restrictions to keep younger players from betting on games.
"Our companies continue to communicate that this is an entertainment exercise and not a wealth creation exercise, an adult entertainment product for adults only," said Joe Maloney of the Sports Betting Alliance (SBA).
The SBA represents five of the most prominent sports betting sites in the U.S. market. The membership includes FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Bet365, and Fanatics Sportsbook.
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