Connecticut Sends Sports Betting Reform Bill to Governor’s Desk

Connecticut lawmakers have approved HB05229, a wide reform package that updates how sports betting and online gaming must operate in the state.

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The substitute bill, which has Rep. Craig Fishbein and Rep. William Heffernan, among its sponsors, touches almost every part of the state’s wagering rules, from customer protections to advertising limits, withdrawal rules, and the use of artificial intelligence.

Lawmakers framed the bill as a needed update as legal gambling continues to expand in the state. Once the bill reaches his desk, Lamont will have 15 days to act.

Operators must now enforce one account per person rule among others

The bill requires operators to enforce one account per person, limit credit card use, and allow customers to set daily deposit and spending caps. It also mandates clear ownership of funds, meaning money in an account belongs solely to the player and can be withdrawn without interference, except in limited cases tied to fraud or technical issues. 

A voluntary self‑exclusion process must be offered, giving individuals the option to block themselves from opening accounts or placing wagers. Operators must also provide a toll‑free number for customer support and display responsible gambling information prominently on websites and apps.

Advertising rules are tightened as well. Promotions cannot target individuals under 21, or under 18 in the case of keno, lottery, or fantasy contests. Ads must avoid misleading claims, promises of guaranteed success, or imagery designed to appeal to minors.

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Marketing is prohibited in college athletic facilities and on platforms run by higher education institutions, except for general announcements or disclosures of partnerships. Direct promotions to excluded players or those awaiting withdrawals are also banned.

AI usage curbed in HB05229

The legislation introduces new restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence in sports betting. Platforms cannot use AI to track individual wagers, design personalized promotions, or create gambling products such as microbets, which involve betting on small events within a game.

The bill also requires operators to submit quarterly records of withdrawals, including timestamps, processing times, and exceptions to the withdrawal rules.

Customers must receive monthly account statements summarizing deposits, withdrawals, net wins or losses, and overall wagering activity. The Department of Consumer Protection will conduct periodic audits to ensure compliance.

Earlier drafts had included a strict ban on withdrawal reversals, allowing exceptions only for fraud prevention, duplicate requests, banking errors, or technical malfunctions. That language was later narrowed, and according to Legal Sports Report, the final version stripped out the outright ban on reversals.

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If enacted, the reforms will take effect on July 1, 2026.