Despite the popularity of online gambling throughout the country, it is subject to more laws and regulations than almost any other hobby in the United States. This has posed problems for residents who show an interest in online gambling, as they are unsure whether they are taking a risk by signing up with a legal gambling site that accepts Connecticut residents or not.
This page is here to help. It was written not only to give Connecticut residents a good idea of the federal laws that govern their rights and ability to gamble online, but also the individual state codes buried in Connecticut’s constitution. It is our most sincere wish that every Connecticut resident who accesses this page will leave with a functional knowledge of both his or her rights and responsibilities when it comes to gambling online legally.
What Does The Supreme Court Ruling Mean For CT Sports Betting?
The Supreme Court ruling in favor of New Jersey could indicate that regulated sports betting will arrive in CT sooner than later. The state passed Public Act No. 17-209 last year, which grants the Commissioner of Consumer Protection to adopt sports betting rules and regulations. As laws are passed to formally legalize sports wagering in the state, there will be various casinos and off-track betting facilities applying for sportsbook licenses. CT has also been in favor of internet gambling, which means state-licensed online sportsbooks are also a possibility. It is reasonable to expect legalized sportsbooks in the state within a few months of a new sports betting bill being signed.
Connecticut Gambling Laws + Statutes
Although we briefly went over that fact that it is indeed legal for Connecticut residents to make use of these gambling sites, it’s always good to be as educated as possible. While there was once a federal law called the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) that restricted sports betting in CT and all over the US, it has been repealed. Now, CT will likely reintroduce sports betting bills that would permit licensed casinos and off-track betting venues to accept sports wagers. CT HB 5307 was tabled before the Supreme Court ruled on the unconstitutionality of PASPA, but it and other bills could resurface in the future.
It sound complicated, but we assure you that it’s very possible to break down in each individual instance. We urge anyone interested in any form of online gambling to make use of this site along with the Connecticut legislation to garner a full understanding of the laws that govern online gambling in their home state.
Bet On Sports With Bitcoin In CT
Connecticut residents can now bet on sports with bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The majority of online sportsbooks accept bitcoin, while some also accept bitcoin cash, ethereum, litecoin, and/or dash. Cryptocurrency sportsbook deposits have flexible limits, with sites allowing anywhere from $10 to $50,000 to be credited. There are also no fees for betting on sports with a digital currency, and your funds will arrive in your account within minutes. Bitcoin and other cryptos are also more reliable than methods like credit cards because there is no risk of the transaction getting declined. You can bet on sports with bitcoin in CT at sites like Bovada, BetOnline, and SportsBetting.
Although the policies are very similar to the federal laws on the subject of online gambling (legal to participate, illegal to facilitate) Connecticut has a unique set of laws within their state legislation. Below, we have picked out some of the most meaningful passages and included our analysis.
Public Act No. 17-209 - This law establishes several different advisory councils for various industries. While it does not contain the framework for regulating sports betting, it does specify that the Commissioner of Consumer Protection will be the agency to adopt regulations for sports wagering when legalized.
Sec. 53-278a - Here we have gambling defined in the Connecticut legislation. Note the exception for “games of skill.” This clause is often included in states that wish to legalize poker and Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments. Other than that, this functions as a standard definition for the act of "gambling".
Sec. 53-278b - This may sound inconvenient at first, but Connecticut residents should be aware of one key fact: this law is not enforced in Connecticut. While the constitution defines penalties for “gambling,” they only intend to put gambling with illicit enterprises to a halt. Connecticut residents who gamble in an authorized facility or with a legal gambling site are safe from prosecution.
Sec. 53-278a - Here we have the meat and potatoes of the legislation in Connecticut. While residents are never arrested for merely gambling, those who attempt to run an illicit gambling operation never last long without garnering legal attention. For the safety of the player and the player’s money, we cannot recommend gambling with any illicit land based operations. There is always a likelihood that the law swoops in and shuts them down.
Sec. 53-278b - Here we see that there are much steeper penalties involved with this crime, as well as a greater likelihood of prosecution. All Connecticut residents are advised to avoid any situations where they could be even perceived guilty of “professional gambling.”
Look Up All The Gambling Laws In Connecticut - Click Here
TThere are two principle laws that have passed through the US Congress that affect online gambling. Both of these laws note they do not intend to prosecute mere players or participants in online gambling, only the large criminal organizations that operate them as illicit gambling enterprises. There was a third federal law that specifically impacted sports betting – the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act – but it was stuck down. Here are the two federal laws to become familiar with:
Wire Act – Legislation on the subject began in 1961 when the Federal Wire Act passed. This law declared that it was unlawful for bookmakers to transmit information in relation to sports betting across state lines using any wired communication services. In an interesting turn of events, as recently as 2011, while Congress ruled that the language of this law did include the internet, Congress also ruled that this law could only apply to online sports betting, not poker or casino games.
UIGEA – The last law to have a real impact on internet gambling struck a major blow, indeed. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA for short) passed in 2006 as a last minute addition to the Safe Port Act. This act filled in the holes left by the Wire Act and banned the facilitation of online poker or casino games in the United States, as well as affecting electronic fund transfers related to gambling.
Online Gambling In Connecticut...What's The Verdict?
Despite language in the state constitution to the contrary, the truth is that Connecticut is actually a player-friendly state. In fact, now that the Supreme Court has lifted the federal ban on sports betting, Connecticut may very well have state-licensed online gambling sites in the near future.
The good news is that gamblers in the Constitution State do not have to wait for new laws to be introduced. Many residents enjoy legal gambling in Connecticut every day, whether it’s from a casino or from the comfort of home. Any residents who have an interest in picking up the hobby need not let the law interfere.
One surefire way to draw the ire of the local authorities concerning gambling is attempting to do so underage. While it’s easy to gamble in Connecticut without attracting any legal attention, this does not apply to underage players. The legal gambling age in Connecticut is 21, and it’s highly recommended that all residents adhere to this rule, lest they be subject to steep fines or even jail time.
Despite language in the state constitution to the contrary, the truth is that Connecticut is actually a player-friendly state. Many residents enjoy legal gambling in Connecticut every day, whether it’s from a casino or from the comfort of home. Any residents who have an interest in picking up the hobby need not let the law interfere.
See More: Online Casinos - Online Sportsbooks - Poker Sites