Online Gaming Takes A Step Forward
- Allows the Lottery to establish up to fifteen retail sports betting locations and to operate online Lottery and Keno.
- Allows the tribes to operate online casino gaming.
- Requires the Department of Consumer Protection to regulate sports wagering and online gaming.
The legislation includes safe gaming provisions through funding for problem gambling programs for a total of $2.5 million a year and for responsible gambling information be conspicuously displayed on the website. That includes a link and toll-free number for help with problem gambling and pop-up messages about the amount of time an individual has spent gaming.
Gamers must be at least 21 years old and will be limited to the use of only one debit or credit card with a clear display of the amount of money available and a means to initiate a break in play to discourage excessive play. The legislation also prohibits advertisements from being aimed exclusively or primarily at individuals under the age of twenty-one and athletes, coaches and certain employees of the sport’s governing body from placing bets in events that they may be participating in.
Projections of estimated revenue of gaming expansion are $30.6 million in FY 22 and $36.4 million in FY 23.