Connecticut lawmakers, Indian tribes lock horns over sports betting control

Connecticut lawmakers, Indian tribes lock horns over sports betting control

Connecticut lawmakers and the tribal operators of Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun are at loggerheads over who will be in charge of sports betting operations once it is legalized in the state.

Connecticut lawmakers, Indian tribes lock horns over sports betting controlThe Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes argued that they have the exclusive right over the conduct of sports betting in the state as provided under the tribes’ current agreement with Connecticut, according to the Hartford Courant report.

They also reminded lawmakers of the legal opinion penned by Attorney General George Jepsen, which cautioned legislators to “carefully consider a number of factors before legalizing sports wagering.”

Jepsen opined that the tribes will argue “that a state law permitting sports wagering in Connecticut may violate the exclusivity provisions” of their tribal gaming compacts.

To be clear, both tribes are in favor of legal sports betting. What the tribes don’t approve of is allowing off-track betting operators to get a slice of the sports betting revenue pie. The Mashantucket Pequots insist that “sports betting is a commercial casino game” and therefore “falls within the exclusivity granted to the tribes under the current agreement.”

“If the legislature authorizes sports betting in a manner that constitutes a video facsimile or video game of chance, such an authorization would lift the moratorium under the tribal-state gaming compacts,” the Mashantucket Pequot letter stated, according to the news outlet.

The Mohegans were more level-headed, noting how both parties worked out their differences to come up with a win-win solution for the tribes and state.

However, Connecticut Lawmakers stood firm that they wouldn’t let the tribes take control of sports betting. House Majority Leader Matthew Ritter pointed out that the tribes couldn’t claim control over sports betting using the agreement since betting was never contemplated when the compact was signed.

It was clear that the agreement only provided that the tribes would be the sole operators of video slot machines, and not over other forms of gambling.

“Here we are 26 years later and they’re raising it for the first time,” Ritter said. “I’ve heard and read better legal arguments than that one.”

Rep. Vinnie Candelora said that the tribes were being “a bit disingenuous and probably going to far” when they insisted on their sole right to sports betting, while House Speaker Joseph Aresimowicz thumbed down the tribes’ planned monopoly.

“We can essentially walk down there and say slots are turned off, nobody wants to do that, the tribes will be a part of any gaming activity we do in the state of Connecticut,” Aresimowicz told Eyewitness News 3.

Like other states, Connecticut has been rushing to pass a bill that would allow sports betting in the event that the U.S. Supreme Court decides to strike down the Professional and Amateur Sports Professional Act of 1992.

Connecticut lawmakers hope to raise $40 to $80 million a year from betting to replenish the state coffers. A bill seeking to legalize sports betting in Connecticut has gained momentum since March after receiving support not only from the tribes but also from the Connecticut Lottery Corp.