Connecticut Adds Match Fixing as A State Felony
The state of Connecticut has joined in the national trend of cracking down on what it defines as improper gambling activity.
Gov. Ned Lamont recently signed into law a bill that expands the definition of "cheating," which in most cases is a class D felony.
What is the new definition of cheating?
According to the amended definition of cheating, it now includes a person who "intentionally attempts to alter the result of a betting outcome of a sports wager to advantage himself, herself or another person, through the use of a promise or offer of any advantage or benefit made or given to another person, if either the wager or the attempt to alter the result occurred in this state; or solicits or accepts any advantage or benefit or the promise or the offer thereof, for himself, herself or another person, with intent to alter the result of a betting outcome of a sports wager to advantage himself, herself or another person, if either the wager or the attempt to alter the result occurred in this state."
The change, which will take place on Oct. 1, updates a decades-old state law that was passed at a time when virtually all sports betting was illegal outside of Nevada. The maximum sentence if convicted of such an offense would be up to five years in prison.
Mandatory toll-free telephone assistance
The state also has now ordered that each authorized sportsbook must "establish a toll-free telephone number to enable a person to receive assistance from the licensee, which may include a prerecorded message routing persons to online assistance, to resolve any problem the person is experiencing with an electronic wagering platform operated by the licensee."
Limited gambling advertising to youth
Another provision in one of the bills bans any advertising for keno, online lottery ticket sales, or fantasy sports contests "as part of any television program aimed exclusively or primarily at individuals under eighteen years of age, as determined according to a nationally recognized voluntary television content rating system designed to help parents make informed choices regarding the television content viewed by their children, or as part of any advertising, marketing or other promotional campaign interspersed during any television program.”
Another new regulation establishes that gambling advertising "Not be published, aired, displayed or disseminated in any athletic facility located on the campus of any public or private institution of higher education in this state, or on any Internet web site, social media platform, online service or mobile application established or maintained by or on behalf of any public or private institution of higher education in this state."
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