LCO \\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2021HB-06512-R01-
HB.docx
1 of 10
General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 6512
January Session, 2021
AN ACT CONCERNING CO NSUMER PROTECTIONS F OR SPORTS
WAGERING.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:
Section 1. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) For purposes of this 1
section: 2
(1) "Electronic wagering platform" means the combination of 3
hardware, software and data networks used to manage, administer, 4
offer or control online sports wagering, including through an Internet 5
web site or a mobile device application; 6
(2) "Sporting event" means (A) any sporting or athletic event at which 7
two or more persons participate and receive compensation in excess of 8
actual expenses for such participation in such sporting or athletic event, 9
(B) any sporting or athletic event sponsored by an intercollegiate athletic 10
program of an institution of higher education, or (C) e-sports. "Sporting 11
event" does not include horse racing or any sporting or athletic event 12
sponsored by a minor league or high school; 13
(3) "Sports governing body" means the organization that prescribes 14
final rules and enforces codes of conduct with respect to a sporting event 15
and participants in the sporting event; and 16 Substitute Bill No. 6512
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2021HB-06512-
R01-HB.docx }
2 of 10
(4) "Sports wagering" means risking or accepting any money, credit, 17
deposit or other thing of value for gain contingent in whole or in part 18
on (A) a sporting event or a portion of a sporting event, or (B) the 19
individual performance statistics of an athlete in a sporting event or a 20
combination of sporting events. "Sports wagering" does not include the 21
payment of an entry fee to play fantasy contests, as defined in section 22
12-578aa of the general statutes. 23
(b) (1) No individual shall place a wager on a sporting event with an 24
operator of sports wagering unless such individual is at least twenty-25
one years of age and is physically present in this state when placing such 26
wager. 27
(2) No individual who is an operator of sports wagering or an 28
electronic wagering platform or an officer, a director, an owner or an 29
employee with the ability to influence the sports wagering operations of 30
such an operator, and no family member of such individual who resides 31
in the same household as such individual, shall place any wager on a 32
sporting event with an operator of sports wagering. 33
(3) No athlete, coach or referee who takes part in a sporting event 34
overseen by a sports governing body; employee of a sports governing 35
body holding a position that may allow such employee to exert 36
influence over participants in a sporting event; owner or employee of a 37
sports governing body's member teams; or personnel of any bargaining 38
unit of a sports governing body's athletes or referees, shall place a wager 39
on any sporting event overseen by such governing body or hold an 40
ownership interest in, or exert control over, any operator of sports 41
wagering. In determining which individuals are prohibited from 42
placing a wager under this subdivision, an operator of sports wagering 43
shall use any information known by the operator, including any lists 44
provided by the relevant sports governing body or the Department of 45
Consumer Protection. 46
(4) No individual with access to nonpublic, confidential information 47
that could affect the outcome of a sporting event shall place any wager 48 Substitute Bill No. 6512
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2021HB-06512-
R01-HB.docx }
3 of 10
on such sporting event with any operator of sports wagering. 49
(5) No individual shall place any sports wager as an agent or a proxy 50
for another individual. 51
(6) No operator of sports wagering may pay a prize to any individual 52
who such operator knows is prohibited from placing a wager pursuant 53
to this subsection. 54
(c) Each operator of sports wagering shall: 55
(1) Verify that an individual placing a wager on a sporting event 56
through an electronic wagering platform is not prohibited from doing 57
so pursuant to subsection (b) of this section; 58
(2) Prohibit an individual from establishing more than one account 59
and establish commercially and technologically reasonable measures to 60
verify identity and ensure compliance with the provisions of this 61
section; 62
(3) Allow an individual to withdraw funds from such individual's 63
account, and, at the individual's request, permanently close the account; 64
(4) Publish all contractual terms, conditions and rules applicable to 65
sports wagering (A) on such operator's sports wagering Internet web 66
site or mobile application, if conducting online sports wagering, and (B) 67
at any of such operator's facilities where sports wagering in person is 68
conducted; 69
(5) Develop and publish procedures allowing an individual to file a 70
complaint with the operator in person, in writing, online or by other 71
means about any aspect of the sports wagering conducted by such 72
operator; 73
(6) If conducting online sports wagering, conspicuously display on 74
such operator's sports wagering Internet web site or mobile application: 75
(A) A link to the protections afforded individuals by the provisions 76 Substitute Bill No. 6512
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2021HB-06512-
R01-HB.docx }
4 of 10
of this section; 77
(B) A link to responsible gambling information; 78
(C) A toll-free telephone number an individual may use to obtain 79
information about problem gambling; 80
(D) A link to information about the self-exclusion process described 81
in subsection (f) of this section; 82
(E) A clear display or periodic pop-up message of the amount of time 83
an individual has spent on the operator's Internet web site or mobile 84
application; 85
(F) A means to initiate a break in play to discourage excessive play; 86
and 87
(G) A clear display of the amount of money available in the account 88
of the individual who is placing wagers. 89
(d) Each operator of sports wagering shall maintain the security of 90
wagering data, data concerning individuals placing wagers on sporting 91
events and other confidential information to prevent unauthorized 92
access to, and dissemination of, such data and information. An operator 93
of sports wagering shall not disclose or sell any wagering information 94
concerning an individual placing wagers on sporting events with such 95
operator, and shall not disclose records that directly or indirectly 96
identify such an individual or such individual's gambling habits, except 97
that such operator shall regularly share records, at the account level and 98
in pseudonymous form, with the Department of Consumer Protection 99
with respect to wagers on sporting events placed with such operator. 100
(e) Each operator of sports wagering shall develop and publish a 101
policy on responsible gambling, which shall, at a minimum, require the 102
operator to: 103
(1) Track its sports wagering activity at the account level; 104 Substitute Bill No. 6512
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2021HB-06512-
R01-HB.docx }
5 of 10
(2) Provide training to employees to allow them to identify 105
individuals placing sports wagers who have problems with gambling; 106
and 107
(3) Provide guidelines on how employees can respond appropriately 108
to an individual who (A) is in crisis or distress due to problem gambling, 109
(B) discloses that he or she may have a problem with gambling, and (C) 110
shares information about another individual who may have a problem 111
with gambling. 112
(f) (1) Each operator of sports wagering shall allow any individual to 113
exclude himself or herself from placing a sports wager or limit the 114
amount of money such individual may use to place sports wagers with 115
such operator, and, on and after the date the operator is notified by such 116
individual of such exclusion or limit, shall take reasonable steps to 117
prevent such individual from placing sports wagers or exceeding such 118
limit, as the case may be. During the time period applicable to any such 119
exclusion from placing a sports wager or limit on the amount of money 120
an individual may use to place sports wagers with an operator of sports 121
wagering, such operator, (A) may, at the request of the individual, 122
extend the time period of such exclusion or limit, or decrease the amount 123
of such limit, and (B) may not reduce the time period of such exclusion 124
or limit or increase the amount of such limit. 125
(2) Each operator of sports wagering shall publish information on the 126
provisions of this subsection and how an individual may exclude 127
himself or herself from placing a sports wager or limit the amount of 128
money such individual may use to place sports wagers with such 129
operator. The operator shall conspicuously display such information (A) 130
at any facility where such operator conducts sports wagering in person, 131
and (B) on the operator's sports wagering Internet web site or mobile 132
application, if the operator conducts online sports wagering. 133
(g) No operator of sports wagering may, as a condition of placing a 134
wager with such operator, require any individual to waive any 135
provision of this section or the right to pursue legal action or file a 136 Substitute Bill No. 6512
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2021HB-06512-
R01-HB.docx }
6 of 10
complaint with the Department of Consumer Protection. 137
(h) No advertisement of sports wagering may: (1) Depict an 138
individual under twenty-one years of age, unless such individual is a 139
professional athlete or a collegiate athlete who, pursuant to an 140
agreement with the advertiser, is able to profit from the use of his or her 141
name and likeness; (2) be aimed exclusively or primarily at individuals 142
under twenty-one years of age; (3) promote irresponsible or excessive 143
participation in sports wagering; or (4) misrepresent the chances of 144
winning or be misleading about the outcomes of sports wagering. Each 145
advertisement of sports wagering shall include information concerning 146
assistance that is available for individuals who have, or are at risk of 147
having, problems with gambling. 148
(i) Each operator of sports wagering shall take reasonable steps to 149
prevent the conduct prohibited under this section and to comply with 150
any regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (k) of this section. 151
(j) (1) Each operator of sports wagering shall immediately report to 152
the Commissioner of Consumer Protection any information relating to 153
(A) criminal or disciplinary proceedings commenced against such 154
operator or an employee of such operator in connection with its 155
operations, (B) abnormal wagering activity or patterns that the operator 156
believes may indicate a concern with the integrity of a sporting event, 157
(C) any other conduct that corrupts the wagering outcome of a sporting 158
event for purposes of financial gain, including match-fixing, and (D) 159
suspicious or illegal wagering activities, including the use of funds 160
derived from illegal activity to place a wager, the placing of a wager to 161
conceal funds derived from illegal activity, the use of an agent or a proxy 162
to place a wager or the use of false identification to place a wager. 163
(2) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection may share with the 164
relevant sports governing body any information relating to conduct 165
described under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subdivision (1) of this 166
subsection. 167 Substitute Bill No. 6512
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2021HB-06512-
R01-HB.docx }
7 of 10
(k) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall adopt 168
regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the 169
general statutes, including emergency regulations pursuant to section 4-170
168 of the general statutes, to implement the provisions of this section 171
and as necessary to protect the public interest in the integrity of sports 172
wagering and reduce the dangers of unsuitable, unfair or illegal 173
practices, methods and activities in the conduct of sports wagering. 174
Such regulations shall include, but need not be limited to, provisions 175
regarding: (1) The types of sporting events upon which sports wagers 176
may be placed or accepted; (2) the minimum amount of cash reserves to 177
be maintained by operators of sports wagering; (3) the acceptance of 178
wagers on a series of sporting events; (4) the maximum wagers which 179
may be accepted by an operator of sports wagering from any one 180
individual on any one sporting event; (5) the type of wagering tickets 181
which shall be used; (6) the method of issuing tickets; (7) minimum 182
accounting standards for an operator of sports wagering; (8) the types 183
of records which shall be maintained by an operator of sports wagering 184
and available for inspection upon the request of the commissioner; (9) 185
requirements for information and reports from an operator of sports 186
wagering to enable effective auditing of such an operator; (10) 187
requirements for establishing and funding a sports wagering account; 188
(11) minimum qualifications for a provider of sporting events data; (12) 189
minimum requirements to ensure the security and integrity of an 190
electronic wagering platform and collection of information and reports 191
to enable effective oversight; (13) the regular sharing of account level 192
records with the department; (14) displays and messages on an 193
operator's sports wagering Internet web site or mobile application 194
aimed at combatting problem gambling; and (15) the advertising of 195
sports betting, including to ensure compliance with the requirements of 196
subsection (h) of this section and to require inclusion of information 197
about gambling addiction or links to Internet web sites to resources 198
related to gambling addiction. 199
(l) The provisions of this section shall not be effective until (1) an 200
authorization to operate sports wagering outside of Indian lands, as 201 Substitute Bill No. 6512
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2021HB-06512-
R01-HB.docx }
8 of 10
defined in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, 25 USC 2703(4), is 202
effective pursuant to any provision of the general statutes or a public or 203
special act, and (2) the regulations required by subsection (k) of this 204
section are effective. 205
Sec. 2. (Effective from passage) (a) The Department of Consumer 206
Protection shall, not later than October 1, 2021, issue a request for 207
proposals for a consultant to conduct a study of the Connecticut Lottery 208
Corporation, established pursuant to section 12-802 of the general 209
statutes. The study shall include an examination of the organizational 210
structure, operations and finances of the corporation and the regulatory 211
relationship between the corporation, the corporation's board of 212
directors and the department. The consultant's report may include 213
recommendations to: 214
(1) Improve the security and integrity of lottery games and any other 215
forms of gaming conducted by the corporation; 216
(2) Create a culture within the corporation that encourages 217
compliance with the statutes and regulations governing the corporation 218
and its activities; 219
(3) Promote transparency and accountability to the public in the 220
corporation's operations and activities; 221
(4) Improve the corporation's internal operations, in order to enhance 222
revenue, promote innovation, appropriately invest in staff development 223
and focus on technological enhancements, security and gaming 224
integrity and customer service; 225
(5) Use metrics to regularly review the performance of the president 226
and other executive staff of the corporation to promote transparency, 227
improved communications, customer service and regulatory 228
compliance in the corporation's operations; 229
(6) Strengthen and improve the regulatory oversight of the 230
department; 231 Substitute Bill No. 6512
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2021HB-06512-
R01-HB.docx }
9 of 10
(7) Strengthen communication and transparency between the board, 232
corporation and department; and 233
(8) Develop a strategic plan focusing on the corporation's internal 234
operations, investment in technology and system security, revenue 235
growth, customer service, relationships with lottery retailers, portfolio 236
of gaming activities, responsible gambling education and outreach, 237
innovation, gaming integrity and regulatory compliance. 238
(b) In selecting a consultant, the department shall give preference to 239
a person responding to the request for proposals who has: 240
(1) A demonstrated understanding of how laws and regulations 241
affect corporate culture and operations; 242
(2) Experience in creating and maintaining a business culture that 243
ensures regulatory compliance, including an understanding of how 244
corporate managers and board members can use different strategies to 245
encourage such a culture; 246
(3) Familiarity with lottery operations; and 247
(4) Experience analyzing business management and operational 248
structures, including an ability to assess a corporation's financial 249
commitment to staff development, security and technological 250
safeguards and innovation. 251
(c) Not later than October 1, 2022, the consultant shall submit a report 252
of its recommendations to the department, the corporation and, in 253
accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, 254
the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having 255
cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security. 256
Sec. 3. Section 12-565a of the general statutes is repealed. (Effective 257
from passage) 258 Substitute Bill No. 6512
LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2021HB-06512-
R01-HB.docx }
10 of 10
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:
Section 1 from passage New section
Sec. 2 from passage New section
Sec. 3 from passage Repealer section
Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
In Section 1(e)(3), "person" was changed to "individual" for consistency
with the other provisions of the subdivision.
PS Joint Favorable Subst.