Experts and lawmakers will discuss whether online gambling should come to Connecticut during a hearing on Thursday morning.
Just the thought of allowing this type of gambling has sparked a fiery debate.
"I don't think we balance the books on the back of gambling," Senate Minority Leader John McKinney said.
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 the 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.
State Rep. Stephen Dargan said there are no plans yet to offer a bill legalizing online gambling in Connecticut and the governor's office has told him it also does not plan to introduce any legislation.
Senate President Donald Williams said he has reservations about online gambling.
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"I feel like the unintended consequences here could be significant and we ought not to say yes without knowing those consequences," Sen. Williams said.
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.
Clark said online gambling still remains an unsettled area of law.
The hearing gets underway on Thursday morning at 10 at the Legislative Office Building.
