Connecticut law sets online wagering safeguards and checks certain games

Covered online wagering providers must offer account safeguards and help. The requirements cover master wagering licensees, licensed online gaming operators and service providers, and sports wagering retailers, as applicable to their services. Each requirement applies where it fits the services the provider offers. These requirements take effect July 1, 2026.

Gaming licensees and those promoting gaming for them must follow advertising limits. The rules cover advertising and promotions for gaming, including sports wagering, keno, online lottery tickets, and fantasy contests. Ads may show professional or college athletes who are allowed by law to profit from their name and likeness. General-audience announcements, signs, or displays are allowed at college facilities and on college-run online services. These requirements take effect July 1, 2026.

The consumer protection commissioner must study prediction market platforms and report findings. The study must cover platform use and ads aimed at people under 21, problem gambling, common speculative positions, and effects on wagering licensees' revenue and payments to the state. The commissioner must consult the Attorney General's office, the Mohegan Tribe, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, and the Connecticut Lottery Corporation. This duty takes effect upon passage. The commissioner must report findings and recommendations by February 1, 2027.

Certain online platforms must check customers' device locations. This applies to platforms that only offer fantasy contests or sell lottery draw game and keno tickets online. The platform must prevent an entry or purchase when it cannot determine the device's location and show a pop-up notice. The system must detect proxy servers and virtual private networks or block customers using them, and notify the operator and customer about geographically inconsistent account access. These requirements take effect upon passage.

The Department of Consumer Protection oversees testing and certification of lottery games and keno. Gaming laboratories test lottery gaming systems, lottery draw games, and keno. The department reviews games and certification reports and may approve games for use in Connecticut. A lottery draw game does not need this testing if it is sold in at least 20 states and has been tested by a nationally recognized gaming laboratory licensed in at least 20 states. The department may suspend a game if it has good cause to believe continued operation could substantially harm the public interest. The Connecticut Lottery Corporation pays testing and certification costs. These provisions take effect upon passage. Draw games and keno must be tested before the Lottery Corporation offers them, subject to the stated exception for qualifying draw games.