State Attorney General George Jepsen and the Department of Consumer Protection recently sent cease-and-desist letters to 28 horse betting websites, warning them that they are violating Connecticut law by allowing residents to fund accounts and place wagers.
The letters were sent May 20 to operators in 10 U.S. states, including Kentucky, New York, North Dakota and Pennsylvania, according to DCP.
Jepsen wrote that the websites may be licensed in their home states to do business, but not in Connecticut. Some of the websites are operated by horse racing tracks, such as The Red Mile, a harness racing track in Lexington, Ky.
Sportech Plc, which operates online and phone wagering services and 12 off-track betting branches in Connecticut under the brand Winners, said in a press release that it is the sole entity authorized to conduct pari-mutuel betting in the state.
“No other site is regulated here or pays the tax that the state should be receiving,” Sportech said in a statement. “Our operations are closely monitored by the Department of Consumer Protection, thereby ensuring that the highest standards of player protection are in place for local residents.”
