With a $20 bet on the Giants to beat the Chiefs, Gov. Ned Lamont ushered a new era of expanded sports betting on Monday at New Haven’s Sports Haven.
The Connecticut Lottery Corp. hosted VIPs and a few eager gamblers Monday afternoon to mark the opening of its first retail sports betting venue at Sports Haven on Long Wharf Drive.
Although the racehorses were running their hearts out on the venue’s big screens, most eyes in Sports Haven were turned to the slow scrolling of the sports book above a rank of betting kiosks. Those who want to lose money on the Patriots will be able to visit 10 physical locations by the end of the year, along with using apps and online platforms.
“It’s time that this state had a little bit of fun,” Lamont said, facing a phalanx of news cameras, along with some tough questions about gambling addiction. Should Connecticut be celebrating expanded gambling as State Rep. Michael DiMassa faces wire fraud charges over an alleged misuse of funds to pay for casino chips?
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said sports betting could add to the state’s $400 million annual haul from other forms of legalized gambling including the lottery and casinos.
State and industry officials stressed Monday that sports betting is meant to be fun and the apps used for the new sports book will be programmed to recognize problem gaming.
“We’re always mindful of the risks that come with gaming,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, chairman for the Connecticut Lottery Corp.’s board of directors. The law legalizing sports betting increased resources to help identify and treat problem gamblers, he added. “That’s always going to be top of mind for us.”
“It’s about so much more than this, it’s about bringing this facility to life,” Lamont said, gesturing around Sports Haven. It’s part of bringing our cities back to life, one more reason to visit New Haven and one more reason to visit Connecticut.”
Neighboring states have legalized sports betting and Connecticut needed to keep up, Bysiewicz said. “It’s a way to better regulate and capture revenue for our state.”
