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OLR Bill Analysis
HB 5271
AN ACT PROHIBITING GAMING -RELATED ADVERTISING,
MARKETING AND PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES AT PUBLIC
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
SUMMARY
This bill prohibits a gaming entity or someone acting on the entity’s
behalf from publishing, airing, displaying, or disseminating any
advertising, marketing, or other promotions on a:
1. public institution of higher education’s campus or
2. website, online service, mobile application, or social media
platform established by, or maintained by or on behalf of, an
institution.
The bill applies to a “gaming entity licensee,” which is a master
wagering licensee, a licensed online gaming operator, a licensed online
gaming service provider, or a licensed sports wagering retailer (see
BACKGROUND ).
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
BACKGROUND
Prohibited Advertising
By law, gaming entity licensees and those acting on their behalf are
restricted from conducting advertising in a number of ways. These
restrictions include prohibiting advertising that 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). The law also prohibits advertising that uses
language to appeal specifically to these people or media outlets or social
media that appeal primarily to them. 2025HB-05271-R000298-BA.DOCX
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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.
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.
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 DCP-approved features 2025HB-05271-R000298-BA.DOCX
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that increase the chance of winning.
HB 5269, favorably reported by the General Law Committee, among
other things, prohibits gaming entities and those acting on their behalf
from advertising offers of a financial incentive to induce people to
engage in gaming.
HB 5272, favorably reported by the General Law Committee,
prohibits gaming entities and those acting on their behalf from
advertising offers or providing bonuses, credits, or other inducements
to engage in or continue gaming.
COMMITTEE ACTION
General Law Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 22 Nay 0 (03/12/2025)