Unlike many states, Connecticut does not currently have a state regulated online poker site. However, that could change in the future. Governor Ned Lamont recently signed HB 6451 into law, which would allow CT to regulate online poker sites. The bill has yet to be voted on by lawmakers, and it is unclear how the state will proceed. In the meantime, lawmakers are interested in exploring the possibility of sharing liquidity with other states.
Connecticut’s 3.5 million residents make it a small market for online poker operators. But this doesn’t mean there’s no opportunity for them. Some states have already announced that they will offer online poker. These include Delaware, which has been offering online poker since 2013. Earlier this year, Nevada and New Jersey joined an interstate compact, and both states will be free to enter multi-state agreements with other states.
If Connecticut does sign a multi-state agreement with other states, it will be able to combine players pools to form a larger pool. While this could be a benefit to operators in the state, it may also create a disadvantage for CT poker players. In addition, the state’s small population means that its potential player pool will be smaller than other states. Therefore, operators may be unwilling to set up shop in CT, particularly if they aren’t already involved with a regulated US poker site.
Connecticut’s legislative body has been flirting with the possibility of regulating online poker for a while, but has yet to put a bill into action. However, if the state does decide to move forward, it could be a competitive market.
Online poker is legal in many countries, including Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the United Kingdom. However, it is not legal in most states, and a few states have banned real money online poker altogether. As of now, there are only four states in the US that have regulated online poker options. The laws governing online poker are different than those governing brick-and-mortar poker.
Poker is legal in many other countries, but the US government has yet to fully enact a law to make online poker legal in the United States. As a result, many avid poker players have turned to foreign-based platforms. This gives them the option of playing in US dollars, and their deposits are not subject to federal enforcement. However, because these platforms don’t have control over the USA, the United States has little to no control over their operations. This could result in players being banned.
Until Congress changes its mind and enacts a law that makes online poker legal across the country, there’s no reason for operators in Connecticut to set up shop. However, once the DOJ reverses its previous opinion on the Wire Act, the state will be able to enter a multi-state agreement with other states. This could allow CT operators to open two online poker sites, combining players pools from the state with those of other states.