Connecticut Lawmaker: “Sports Betting Will Be Legalized In 2021”

States are struggling to make up revenue as COVID-19 continues to put a damper on tax revenue. Connecticut representative Sean Scanlon sees sports betting as a way to help fill the state’s coffers and he’s making legalization a top priority in 2021.

“Sports betting will be legalized in 2021,” said Rep. Sean Scanlon via the Hartford Courant. “You can bet on it.”

Scanlon later added that sports betting would be one of his “biggest priorities” in 2021. Scanlon is taking over as chairman of the finance committee so he will have serious sway in the Connecticut House of Representatives.

Unfortunately, the tribal nations in Connecticut have long opposed the legalization of sports betting. Governor Ned Lamont wants to pursue sports betting legalization as he watches other states in the mid-Atlantic and New England capitalize on the massive tax revenue that sports betting brings in.

“I want to put forward something that works, that doesn’t result in litigation, that gets us off the dime,” he told reporters. “We’ve been talking about this for close to a decade in this state. And I think Connecticut ought to participate and it ought to be led by the tribes.”

DraftKings Partners With Foxwoods Resort Casino

Scanlon’s proclamation comes on the heels of news that DraftKings is partnering with Foxwoods Resort Casino which indicates that the tribal nations could finally be on board with online sports betting in the state. Foxwoods is run by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.

“We’ve proven our ability to shape the future of gaming time and time again, and now we’re ready to drive sports wagering and online gaming for the state of Connecticut,” said Rodney Butler, the tribe’s chairman, in a written statement.

Sports betting is currently legal in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. It seems like it’s only a matter of time before Connecticut gets in on the action. Scanlon’s comments and the recent partnership between DraftKings and Foxwoods is a good indicator that sports betting is coming to Connecticut sooner rather than later.