Gambling Laws In Connecticut
With the elimination of PASPA, there are now only two remaining federal laws which carry an impact for gambling all across the country: the Federal Wire Act of 1961 and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA). These laws' intentions were allegedly focused on bringing an end to organized crime, corruption and racketeering, specifically the funding of such "nefarious" activities. They effectively outlaw anyone from engaging in the business of facilitating bets to turn a profit across state lines. What these laws do not do, however, is prohibit the average citizen from the simple act of placing a bet or making a wager. This means that on a federal level, it is only the venues for gambling which have all but disappeared, not the actual gamblers. And now that PASPA's gone, those venues will be coming back.
With PASPA out of the picture, these remaining federal laws actually grant a lot of leeway for each individual state to develop their own legislation in regards to gambling and sports betting. This site is intended for those in Connecticut who wish to inform themselves of CT state laws so they can safely and legally gamble without fear or worry in the Constitution State.
Supreme Court Rules PASPA Unconstitutional, Legalizing Sports Betting In Connecticut
After the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was passed in 1992, land-based sports betting became illegal in every state except Nevada. But now that the Supreme Court has ruled PASPA unconstitutional, legal sports betting in Connecticut and the rest of the country is finally on the horizon.
However, because PASPA was a federal law, the 6-3 overturn doesn't automatically allow bookmakers to open up shop in CT right away. The state first has to establish its own sports betting legislation, which it is currently doing with HB 5307 and SB 540. As such, you can expect Connecticut to roll out legalized sports betting both on-site and online by the fall of 2018. In the meantime, though, you are still free to use legal offshore sportsbooks like Bovada, BetOnline, BetDSI, and other top sites, and there is certainly no guarantee that CT's own sports betting services will be better or more convenient than these tried and true online betting shops.
'Gambling' is defined in the state of Connecticut's legislation to mean; “risking any money, credit, deposit or other thing of value for gain contingent in whole or in part upon lot, chance or the operation of a gambling device, including the playing of a casino gambling game such as blackjack, poker, craps, roulette or a slot machine” the language goes on to provided exclusions from this definition such as state licensed and legal contests. The penalty for gambling in the Constitution State is a Class B misdemeanor which could result in a $1000 fine or up to 6 months in jail. Gambling is not unlawful however, if partaken in a private, social setting.
'Professional Gambling' in the State of Connecticut is a whole other beast with a far greater penalty. This would mean the gambler is collecting a gain or a profit from his or her gambling activity and if caught, would garner a Class A misdemeanor which would reap up to a $2000 fine and a year in jail. Just like with the federal laws which govern gambling across the nation, the business of gambling and facilitating bets for profit is explicitly illegal and carries strong penalties whereas the smaller act of being a player or a participant does not.
Even though Connecticut has laws against gambling, it is actually a rather gambling friendly state. The Constitution State was one of the first in New England to begin legalized and regulated gambling which brought a number of visitors to the area and generated a hefty revenue of extra income for the State. The primary casinos are run by Native American tribes and give 25% of profits to the state. Connecticut also hosts a lottery and pari-mutuel betting options.
Land-Based Gambling In Connecticut
Even though Connecticut has a few anti-gambling laws on record doesn't mean that they don't embrace it for their state economy. Residents in the Constitution State can expect to find a range of casinos, pari-mutuel betting facilities a state lottery. What makes the state stand out from others is that despite Connecticut's relatively small size, it hosts two of the largest casinos in the world (larger than any found in Las Vegas) and they are the two major destinations to go to for any form of gambling in New England. The Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket and Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville are the two tribally run Native American casinos in the state and have a combined total of 959,000 square feet between them. The two resorts are in constant competition with each other and have engaged in a sort of 'Cold War' for decades where each improves themselves to best the other. This has led to Connecticut, of all places, in having two of the most famous casinos on Earth with state of the art facilities and enough betting scenarios for a gambler in the constitution state to have his or her head spinning like a roulette wheel.
Online Gambling In Connecticut
While Connecticut may have two of the finest land based facilities in the world, some would prefer to stay at home or casually bet from their smart phones. The good news for such bettors is that Connecticut does not have any laws in place which will prevent any citizen from placing a wager online. This means that simply referring back to federal laws will let a local bettor know what they can and cannot do when within the borders of the Constitution State. As mentioned earlier on this page, facilitating bets to gain a profit is illegal and comes with steep penalties, but the simple act of placing a bet is not illegal in any way shape or form. As long as a resident of Connecticut is placing legal bets with a place that is legally able to accept them, they will remain safe and within the realm of law.
Connecticut residents will find a great many of options when it comes to online gambling sites which are able to legally operate due to being located outside of U.S. federal jurisdiction. Although it may seem suspect to visit a foreign network at first, many millions of Americans have been utilizing the loopholes in the federal laws for decades to much success and winnings. These sites are respectable and adhere to their own host nation's gambling and banking laws and are located as nearby as neighboring Canada.
Popular Gambling Options In Connecticut:
Online Sportsbooks - Online Casinos - Online Poker
One such site bursting with opportunity for Connecticut residents is the industry gold standard, Bovada.lv. Located just 5 hours to the north outside of Montreal, this online gambling site is one of the first to emerge on the scene to provide betting for Americans all across the nation. In fact, they even began as an American company known as Bodog before having to move to Canada due to changing federal legislation.
They offer every major form of gambling whether it be horse racing, blackjack, poker or even roulette and slots. What the site is perhaps most well-known for however is their astonishing online sportsbook. Hosting a variety of betting and wagering options across every sport, team and league, Bovada is considered the best for winning real cash on American or International events. This online sportsbook comes endorsed by such notable companies as CBS Sports, USA Today and ESPN. These publications and networks routinely cite Bovada's odds for sporting events even over those from Las Vegas as it is no secret to many American sports fans that most people are indeed visiting Bovada to place their sports bets.
Signing up takes virtually moments and the site boasts some of the finest perks and bonuses in the entire industry. Upon a new member's first deposit, they will find a generous 50% increase to their funds worth up to $250 to be spent anywhere on the sportsbook that they wish. Bovada.lv stands as our number one recommendation not only for ourselves but to all residents across Connecticut.
| Best Overall Betting Sites | Sports? | Casino? | Poker? | Horses? | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada | YES! | YES! | YES! | YES! | Play Now! |
| BetOnline | YES! | YES! | YES! | YES! | Play Now! |
| SportsBetting | YES! | YES! | YES! | YES! | Play Now! |
The legal gambling age in the state of Connecticut is 18 for lotteries and pari-mutuel betting but for residents wishing to visit a land based casino, they will be required to be 21 years of age or older. For those locals who wish to visit Connecticut gambling sites, the legal gambling age is 18 as our recommended sites are accepting membership to any legal adults within the Constitution State.
Best For All Gaming Types
