A new bill introduced in the Connecticut legislature wants to take sports betting sky high.
State Rep. Christopher Rosario introduced HB6051, which would allow for in-flight betting on commercial flights originating out of Connecticut airports.
Bill would set aside 1% of CT in-flight betting revenue for public ed
The bill is relatively simple, consisting of a single paragraph:
“That chapter 229b of the general statutes be amended to (1) authorize and regulate in-flight sports wagering on scheduled flights originating or terminating in this state, ensure that all in-flight sports wagering complies with (A) the laws of this state concerning sports wagering, and (B) existing agreements with the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut concerning sports wagering, and (3) provide that one per cent of all revenue generated by in-flight sports wagering shall be allocated to support public education in the state’s rural and urban school districts.”
Currently the three sportsbook operators in the state are Draftkings (partnered with the Mashantucket Pequot), FanDuel (partnered with Mohegan) and Fanatics, which works with the Connecticut Lottery.
Currently there are a couple of federal laws in place that prohibit gambling on airplanes. The Gambling Devices Act of 1962 banned gambling on domestic commercial aircraft. The Gorton Amendment, passed in 1994, expanded the prohibition to international flights taking off from the the U.S. as well.
Rosario wants to get ahead of in-flight betting issue
Rosario is aware of the current federal landscape, but explained to SBC Americas that he is trying to be proactive in the wake of the announced partnership between Delta Airlines and DraftKings.
“While respecting federal regulations, we must acknowledge in-flight betting’s inevitable growth. HB6051 positions our state for revenue opportunities, fostering local economic development,” he said. “My bill ensures Connecticut benefits financially if deals like DraftKings-Delta take off–literally.”
“I’m confident our legislation balances innovation with responsible gaming practices,” he added.
Delta announced a planned partnership with DraftKings during the CES conference in Las Vegas earlier this month but did not offer many details on exactly what the deal would entail.
“From fantasy sports to online adventures, gaming has become a regular part of the daily lives of millions of our customers. And you shouldn’t have to hit pause just because you’re in the sky,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian said at the time.
Blumenthal critical of Delta and DraftKings partnership
While Rosario is embracing the deal and ensuring Connecticut can generate state revenue from it, a federal Connecticut lawmaker is trying to ground the deal before it starts.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a regular critic of online gambling expansion, authored an open letter to DraftKings and Delta last week noting the federal prohibition on in-flight gambling and expressing concern about the responsible gambling implications of such a deal.
“This new partnership advances the proliferation of sports betting, further fueling a crisis of problem gambling. Betting companies have leveraged data collected on consumers to entice them through bonuses and promotions to hook them on this addictive product – resulting in a public health crisis that is producing huge costs in addiction, financial ruin, family disruption and much more. This partnership seems to be aimed at enticing the flying public – many of them possibly problem gamblers or recovering problem gamblers – to engage in a high-risk activity from their seatbacks, while in the air and unable to walk away,” the letter read.
Other than the tease from Bastian, there has been no official announcement of the DraftKings and Delta partnership.
Rosario’s bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on General Law.
