The Connecticut Senate has achieved a unanimous vote to pass a bill prohibiting online sweepstakes casinos. This decisive action aims to enhance the regulation of digital gambling and strengthen the state’s authorized gaming market.

On May 22, Senate Bill 1235 was approved with a 36-0 vote and will now be sent to the House for review before the legislative session wraps up on June 4.

The new legislation prohibits sweepstakes or promotional games that utilize simulated gambling mechanisms or facilitate involvement in actual or simulated online casino gaming or sports betting.

An earlier version of the bill included a prohibition on lottery couriers, but this clause was eliminated through an amendment prior to the Senate’s vote. Additionally, a provision allowing the governor to engage in multi-state gaming agreements was also removed through this amendment.

Violating this law would be classified as a Class D felony, resulting in potential penalties of up to five years of imprisonment and a $5,000 fine. Endorsed by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, this bill would expand the agency’s enforcement powers if enacted.

This bill emerges in response to increasing concerns about unregulated online gambling platforms and is designed to safeguard Connecticut’s licensed online gambling businesses, which currently encompass FanDuel and DraftKings through their collaborations with Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods casinos.

Retailers will still be permitted to offer sweepstakes tied to grocery sales, as long as there are no monetary rewards involved.

The proposed regulations in Connecticut mirror similar efforts in other states. For instance, Montana has recently become the first state to officially outlaw online sweepstakes, while legislative initiatives are also moving forward in Louisiana and Texas.