Gambling

"People Want It": Connecticut Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Legalize Betting on In-State Colleges

Published: Jan 25, 2025, 7:31 AM
1 min read
Updated: Jul 24, 2025, 11:14 AM
Fact checked by:
Sergey Demidov
The Connecticut Huskies celebrate winning the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament National Championship game

The Connecticut Huskies celebrate winning the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament National Championship game (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

As sports gambling hits new highs in popularity across Connecticut, local legislators keep pushing for changes to the market. At the forefront is Rep. Tony Scott, who recently introduced bills that would give bettors more flexibility over their wagers.

One of these proposals includes enabling Connecticut residents to bet on in-state colleges — something that’s already allowed in 23 of the 39 legalized betting states.

“People want it,” Scott, a Republican from Monroe, told RG. “UConn, even Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart and Fairfield U, these are Division I games that people follow nationwide. Yet people [in Connecticut] can’t bet on these games. It seems a little peculiar because now we have a system in place that can protect it.”

Connecticut is home to some of the most successful collegiate programs in the country. The UConn men’s basketball program has won back-to-back NCAA championships, while the school’s women’s basketball team, coached by Naismith Hall of Famer Geno Auriemma, owns a record 11 national titles. There’s also Quinnipiac men’s hockey, which won it all in 2023.

Current laws only allow betting on these teams during tournament play, meaning residents often have to jump through hoops just to place a wager. That would ostensibly no longer be necessary under House Bill 5563, “An Act Concerning Sports Wagering on Connecticut Intercollegiate Teams.”

“People can go across the border and bet in other states, too,” Scott noted. “If you live close to a border, you can find it. There’s ways to do it, but it’s a process. You have to do an extra step."

“I don’t think the public’s going to be in outrage of this [bill]. These are teams that they follow. There are rabid fans in Connecticut.”  

The same bill was proposed last year but failed to pass despite support from the likes of House Speaker Matt Ritter (D-Hartford). As with any legislation, a series of hurdles must be cleared for it to go into effect. Next on the docket is a public hearing.

Other bills proposed by Scott include proposing a maximum hold for sportsbooks, a two-way market for all wagers, and the opportunity to allow operators to correct betting errors. There’s also a proposal to allow bettors to opt out of certain sports or types of wagers (for example, parlays).  

Online sports betting launched in Connecticut in 2021. The state started with three operators — BetRivers, DraftKings and FanDuel — but BetRivers’ SugarHouse has since been replaced by Fanatics. It’s also home to two retail casinos in Foxwoods Resort and Mohegan Sun.

Numbers show consumers are taking advantage of the opportunities at hand. The state’s betting handle soared to a record $2434.7 million in December (year-over-year increase of nearly 36%), and numbers should only continue to rise as the industry grows. Total revenue is now up to $581.7 million, with the state collecting $63.3 million in taxes.

Scott believes there’s now enough safeguards in place where the state can safely expand its options without having to worry about irregularities around betting.

“Is it 100% foolproof?” Scott said. “I definitely would not stake my reputation or life on that. … But I think we are in very good shape to protect against [irregularities].”

Scott said he plans to discuss the bill with the speaker of the house on Tuesday.

“I’m familiar with the gambling world. I gamble,” Scott said. “The fact that FanDuel and DraftKings, who are two of our main vendors, if there’s betting irregularities, they’ll know.” 

Betting Writer
Doug Bonjour is a veteran sports journalist with more than 15 years of experience covering events like the NCAA Final Four, WNBA Finals and major pro leagues. A former UConn women’s basketball beat reporter for Hearst Connecticut Media, he also led editorial efforts at Point Spreads, focusing on sports betting. Doug values accuracy, integrity and clear storytelling in every piece he writes.
Interests:
NFL
NBA
UFC
MLB

More Gambling Industry News

Gambling
News Report
Delaware Sportsbooks Clear $18.2M in April Bets

With $18.2 million in total wagers placed during April, Delaware recorded a 17.3% increase over April 2024, and a fivefold jump compared to April 2023

3
07/20/2025
Sol Fayerman-Hansen
Sol Fayerman-Hansen
Delaware Sportsbooks Clear $18.2M in April Bets
Gambling
News Report
D.C. Sportsbooks Break $86M in April Handle

Washington, D.C.’s sports betting market just posted its highest single-month handle on record, with local sportsbooks processing $86,014,452

3
07/20/2025
Sol Fayerman-Hansen
Sol Fayerman-Hansen
D.C. Sportsbooks Break $86M in April Handle
Gambling
Maine Grows 21% Year Over Year in April Sports Betting Revenue

Maine’s sports betting market posted a 21% year-over-year increase in April 2025, generating $5.6 million in gross gaming revenue (GGR) on a handle of $46.4 million.

3
07/18/2025
Sol Fayerman-Hansen
Sol Fayerman-Hansen
Maine Grows 21% Year Over Year in April Sports Betting Revenue
Gambling
News Report
Vermont Handle Falls 29% in April, But 2025 Still On Pace for $66M GGR

Vermont’s online sports betting market saw a notable dip in April, with total handle dropping to $16.2 million, down 29% from January’s $23.9 million opening.

3
07/17/2025
Sol Fayerman-Hansen
Sol Fayerman-Hansen
Vermont Handle Falls 29% in April, But 2025 Still On Pace for $66M GGR

Our Authors

Paruyr Shahbazyan

Paruyr Shahbazyan started his business career as an entrepreneur in 2000. Over 13 years, he learned business and leadership, which laid the foundation for his career.

In 2013, Paruyr entered the sports and betting industry as the founder and president of Bookmaker Rating, an online media platform he led until 2020. The platform focuses on in-depth analysis and insights in sports betting and has gained a reputation for quality content.

In 2022, Paruyr co-founded Azuro, a decentralized betting protocol. This shows his commitment to technology in the sports betting space. Through all these experiences, Paruyr has been shaping and influencing the betting industry, setting new trends and standards.

Innovation in sportsbetting comes from a deep understanding of both technology and the human element of sports.

Strategic Vision

Paruyr's vision is to revolutionize the sports entertainment industry by integrating technology. He sees the future of sports entertainment as a blend of traditional sports knowledge with innovative tech solutions, like decentralized protocols, to enhance user experience and fairness. He aims to create platforms that are not only user-friendly but also uphold the highest standards of ethical reporting, contributing to a more responsible and enjoyable sports culture.

Meet All Our Experts
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Read our
Privacy Policy
.