- Representative Maria Horn was recently quoted as saying she was concerned about what sports betting is doing to sports, young people, and prediction markets.
- Other legislators like Senator Blumenthal also believe that sports betting regulation was rushed across the country and in Connecticut as well.
HARTFORD, Conn. – Despite being one of the representatives who voted in support of legal Connecticut sports betting in 2021, Rep. Maria Horn is making her stance known on the matter give years later.
With heavy concerns about problem gambling in Connecticut, Horn has many “concerns” about what the industry has become.
While legislators have attempted to combat problem gambling in the state, the amount of money taxed from legal sports betting has overpowered the issues surrounding addiction.
“I found (the tribes) to be responsible partners,” Horn said. “I do not think that is true of FanDuel or DraftKings.”
In short, Horn hasn’t been on board with how legal sportsbooks have handled customer safety.
Senator Richard Blumenthal agrees and wishes legislators had more foresight on “the potential explosion of downsides and dangers.”
Connecticut Focusing On College Campuses
- Bettors wanting help from gambling have increased the call log by 46%.
- Likewise, since 2021, bettors seeking help through chats has risen 41%.
Unfortunately, many of these problem gambling bettors are college-aged males. The executive director of the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Diana Goode, stated that half of the people calling these numbers are men in their 20s.
With 72% of undergraduates having gambled in the last 12 months, over 8% meet the standard of “serious problem gambling.”
Like many other states with legal sports betting, Connecticut is starting with advertising. One of the main sports betting bills this session is HB 5229.
Under this measure, there would no longer be sports betting adverts allowed on college campuses. In the Senate, they are looking to require universities to host problem gambling programs on campus.
Both SB 381 and the aforementioned house bill have passed favorably out of their committees and await a chamber vote. With a Connecticut session deadline of May 6, legislators have about 3 weeks to figure it out.
