Could Connecticut limit bettors' daily wager amounts?

Key Points

• Connecticut lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 1464 (SB 1464) aiming to set maximum daily wager limits for online sports betting.

• The bill empowers the Commissioner of Consumer Protection to establish these limits, though specific amounts are yet to be determined.

• This legislative move seeks to address rising concerns about problem gambling in the state.

• Connecticut's rich gambling history includes tribal casinos, state lotteries and legalization of online sports betting and iGaming.

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Connecticut lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 1464 (SB 1464), which, in part, considers new restrictions on online sports betting. 

Connecticut has long embraced gambling, with a history that spans traditional casinos, lotteries, and, more recently, online betting. The state’s tribal casinos, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, have been major players in the gambling industry since the 1990s, drawing visitors from across the country. 

The Connecticut Lottery, established in 1971, has been another key fixture, offering a variety of games to residents. Charitable gaming also has deep roots, with bingo legalized in 1939 and bazaars and raffles approved for nonprofit fundraising in 1955.

The state took a significant leap forward in May of 2021 when the Connecticut General Assembly enacted legislation authorizing retail and online sports betting, online casino gaming and online daily fantasy sports (DFS). This expansion allowed the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Indian Tribes, along with the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, to offer digital gaming options, making online gambling more accessible than ever before.

What is the proposed Connecticut bill that would limit bets?

Connecticut has been busy on the gambling bills front to begin 2025. In January, Rep. Tony Scott introduced five bills regarding sports betting markets and operators. Rep. Christopher Roasrio introduced an act to regulate in-flight sports betting for planes traveling from or to Connecticut. In February, Connecticut joined the wave of states seeking to ban online sweepstakes from operating. 

Now, introduced in March 2025, SB 1464 is a legislative proposal aimed at strengthening consumer protections within Connecticut’s growing online gambling industry. One of its most notable provisions would establish maximum wager limits for online sports betting, a measure intended to curb gambling-related harm. Additionally, the bill seeks to enhance regulatory oversight by granting the Commissioner of Consumer Protection the authority to formalize these limits through state regulations.

Beyond wager amount restrictions, the bill also includes provisions for multijurisdictional gaming, potentially allowing Connecticut to enter agreements with other states for online poker and other peer-to-peer casino games. If enacted, this could make Connecticut part of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), joining Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Michigan and West Virginia in shared online gaming pools.

Other consumer protections in the bill include requirements for gaming operators to provide toll-free assistance for players experiencing technical or financial issues with their betting platforms. SB 1464 also establishes clear protocols for correcting errors in betting odds, such that operators can’t accept more bets on an event where the error has been spotted, until it is resolved. Additionally, each bettor must be refunded in full. These measures aim to create a safer and more transparent gambling environment in the state.

Why is Connecticut proposing this new legislation?

Since online sports betting launched in October of 2021, the state has generated more than $6 billion in wager (handle), creating $609.4 million in revenue and $66.4 million in taxes. 

The introduction of this bill has surprised many legislators in other states because it means both the state and sportsbook operators would experience financial loss. This bill signifies lawmakers are taking a stand to prioritize public health over profit. 

With the rapid expansion of online gambling, Connecticut officials are increasingly concerned about the societal and financial impact of problem gambling. The introduction of wager limits reflects a growing effort to balance the economic benefits of legalized betting with the need to protect vulnerable populations. By enforcing stricter regulations, lawmakers hope to prevent excessive losses and reduce gambling addiction rates.

How big of a problem is gambling addiction in CT?

Recent studies suggest that gambling addiction is a pressing issue in Connecticut. An estimated 1.5-2% of the state's population – roughly 54,000 individuals – meet the criteria for a gambling disorder. Beyond that, approximately 8% of residents, or 287,269 people, are considered “at risk” of developing a gambling problem at some point in their lives.

The impact of gambling addiction is particularly alarming among younger demographics. Around 68% of Connecticut teens report gambling annually, and studies indicate that young gamblers are significantly more likely to engage in risky behaviors. Teens who gamble are three times more likely to consume alcohol, four times more likely to smoke cigarettes and twice as likely to use illegal drugs or get into physical altercations. They are also four times more likely to face legal trouble. Perhaps most concerning is that up to 25% of youth with gambling problems have attempted suicide, underscoring the severity of gambling-related harms. 

Gambling addiction treatment options in Connecticut

As Connecticut debates SB 1464, the state faces a critical decision on how to regulate online gambling responsibly. If passed, the bill could introduce significant changes aimed at curbing gambling addiction while still allowing bettors to engage in a safer, more controlled environment.

For those in Connecticut who may be struggling with gambling addiction, resources are available to provide support. Birches Health offers insurance-covered virtual care so that patients can receive help from licensed therapists who have decades of gambling-related experience, all from the comfort of home. 

If you or someone you know needs support, there are multiple options for how to get started:

• Book an appointment 

• Call 833-483-3838

• Email help@bircheshealth.com