Connecticut’s Major Sports Betting and iGaming Reform Bill Heads to Governor Lamont’s Desk After Near-Unanimous Vote

Connecticut lawmakers sent HB5229, titled “An Act Concerning Gaming,” to Gov. Ned Lamont’s desk after approving it with near-unanimous votes in both chambers. The House passed the bill 145-4 and the Senate by 32-1. The legislation updates the state’s 2021 gaming law and introduces a broad range of consumer protections, advertising restrictions, and new rules around artificial intelligence in sports betting, with most provisions set to take effect July 1, 2026 if signed.

The bill requires all online gambling operators to enforce one account per person, mandate clear ownership protections for funds in player accounts, and offer a voluntary self-exclusion process. Operators must also provide a toll-free customer service phone line and display responsible gambling information prominently. Credit card use for deposits is to be limited under the new rules, and operators must allow customers to set daily deposit and spending caps.

Advertising Rules and AI Restrictions

HB5229 introduces some of the strictest advertising standards of any US gambling jurisdiction. Promotions cannot target users under 21, and direct marketing to self-excluded players or those awaiting withdrawals would be banned. Advertising inside college athletic venues and on digital platforms run by universities is prohibited. Most notably, the legislation restricts the use of artificial intelligence in gambling: platforms cannot use AI to track individual wagers, design personalized promotions, or create microbets. Operators must also submit quarterly withdrawal records and provide customers with monthly account statements.

What Bettors Need to Know

The bill also orders a formal study on prediction markets, including their impact on underage users and problem gambling risk in the state. Earlier drafts had included a strict ban on withdrawal reversals, but that provision was narrowed in the final version. A companion bill, Senate Bill 296, elevating casino cheating to a Class D felony, is also on Lamont’s desk. Both are awaiting the governor’s signature, which he has 15 days to provide. Connecticut bettors and casino players who use Connecticut sportsbooks or Connecticut casino apps should watch for the governor’s decision in the coming days, as it would trigger sweeping changes to how operators can market to them and manage their accounts starting this summer.