Online Gambling Forum Planned

Connecticut must decide how to address federal decision to allow online gambling.

Some local lawmakers have scheduled what they are calling an informational forum on online gaming. 

State Rep. Stephen Dargan, a Democrat who represents West Haven, and State Senator Joan Hartley, a Democrat who represents the 15th District, planned the forum, which will happen on Thursday at the Legislative Office Building.

Bob Clark, of the State Attorney General’s Office; Chuck Bunnell, of Mohegan Sun Casino; Bill Satti, of Foxwoods Resort Casino; Anne Noble, of the Connecticut Lottery Corporation; Brooks Pierce, of Sportech, Inc.; and Carlos Reinoso, of the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, will speak. 

In December, the U.S. Justice Department issued an opinion that in-state Internet gambling does not violate federal law, prompting New Jersey lawmakers to consider a new state law allowing online gambling there.

Soon after the court issued a ruling, Gov. Dannel Malloy said it was inevitable that online gambling will come to the state and his administration is investigating what can be done to protect jobs associated with the state's two tribal casinos.

Malloy said his administration is also looking at other issues, such as whether to allow the casinos or the state lottery to handle online gambling operations based in Connecticut and could financially benefit the state.

Malloy said it's clear online gambling will become a reality, given the federal decision and, now must decide how to address it.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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