Researcher: CR Page 1 4/8/25
OLR Bill Analysis
HB 5269
AN ACT CONCERNING GAMING ADVERTISEMENTS AND
PERMISSIBLE PAYMENT MECHANISMS FOR ONLINE GAMING
ACCOUNTS.
SUMMARY
This bill prohibits a gaming entity licensee or someone acting on the
licensee’s behalf from publishing, airing, displaying, or disseminating
any advertising, marketing, or other promotion that offers or provides
a bonus, credit, or other inducement to take part in gaming.
The bill also requires a licensee to get permission from each credit or
debit card account holder when the card is jointly held before allowing
any debit, charge, or withdrawal on the card for a gaming account. By
law, a licensee must limit a person to using only one credit or debit card
for a gaming account.
By law, a “gaming entity licensee” is a master wagering licensee, a
licensed online gaming operator, a licensed online gaming service
provider, or a licensed sports wagering retailer (CGS § 12-850; see
BACKGROUND ).
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2025
BACKGROUND
Prohibited Advertising
By law, gaming entity licensees and those acting on their behalf are
restricted from conducting advertising in a number of ways. The law
prohibits advertising that, among other things, (1) is aimed at, or is
placed before, an audience where the majority of the viewers or
participants are presumed to be people under age 21 (or under 18 if the
advertising is related only to keno, online lottery sales, fantasy contests,
or a combination of them); (2) contains inaccurate or misleading
information that could confuse patrons; (3) implies a greater chance of 2025HB-05269-R000585-BA.DOCX
Researcher: CR Page 2 4/8/25
winning based on wagering in greater quantity or amount; or (4)
contains claims that gaming guarantees social, financial, or personal
success.
Master Wagering Licensee
By law, a “master wagering licensee” is generally the Mashantucket
Pequot or Mohegan tribes or the Connecticut Lottery Corporation
(CLC).
Online Gaming Operator
By law, an “online gaming operator” is a person or business that
operates an electronic wagering platform and contracts directly with a
master wagering licensee to provide (1) one or more Internet games or
(2) retail sports wagering at a facility in this state.
Online Gaming Service Provider
By law, an “online gaming service provider” is a person or business,
other than an online gaming operator, that provides goods or services
to, or otherwise transacts business related to, Internet games or retail
sports wagering with a master wagering licensee or a licensed online
gaming operator, online gaming service provider, or sports wagering
retailer.
Sports Wagering Retailer
By law, a “sports wagering retailer” is a person or business that
contracts with CLC to facilitate retail sports wagering operated by CLC
through an electronic wagering platform at up to 15 facilities in the state.
Related Bills
sSB 1235, favorably reported by the General Law Committee, among
other things, generally prohibits gaming entities and those acting on
their behalf from advertising, on a website or other medium,
participation in gambling that is prohibited in the state unless it is
related to a person who is licensed to offer and accept wagers in another
U.S. state or territory or on the tribal lands of a federally recognized
Indian tribe. 2025HB-05269-R000585-BA.DOCX
Researcher: CR Page 3 4/8/25
sSB 1237, favorably reported by the General Law Committee, among
other things, permits CLC advertising that implies a greater chance of
winning based on wagering in greater quantities or amounts for online
keno and online lottery draw games that have Department of Consumer
Protection-approved features that increase the chance of winning.
HB 5271 (File 298), favorably reported by the General Law
Committee, prohibits gaming entities and those acting on their behalf
from advertising on the campus of a public institution of higher
education and their related websites, mobile applications, and social
media.
HB 5272, favorably reported by the General Law Committee,
prohibits gaming entities and those acting on their behalf from
advertising that offers or provides bonuses, credits, or other
inducements to take part in gaming.
COMMITTEE ACTION
General Law Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 21 Nay 0 (03/21/2025)