The state’s lawmakers could soon approve a law that would open the online gambling segment
Connecticut is on the verge of taking a major step toward expanding its online poker offerings, with new legislation enabling the state to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA). The Connecticut House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 1235 unanimously on June 3, giving the governor the power to enter into multi-state agreements for peer-to-peer games like online poker. The bill had already cleared the Senate, and now it only awaits Governor Ned Lamont’s signature to become law.
Once signed, the law will allow Connecticut to formally join MSIGA, a compact that currently includes six other jurisdictions: Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, which recently joined. The agreement allows participating states to share player pools for online poker, improving game variety and increasing liquidity—an essential factor for a successful and competitive online poker market.
Online poker has technically been legal in Connecticut since 2021, but no operators have launched services due to challenges such as a limited player base and restrictions on sharing traffic across state lines. With a population of just 3.6 million, Connecticut’s market alone hasn’t been enough to attract major operators to roll out poker platforms.
SB 1235 not only authorizes participation in MSIGA but also includes provisions to ban online sweepstakes casinos. The bill allows the governor to enter into interstate or tribal agreements “effective from passage,” meaning discussions with existing compact members can begin immediately after the bill is signed.
Despite the clear legislative progress, online poker’s launch in Connecticut could still face delays. Operators must first obtain the necessary approvals and adjust platforms to accommodate multi-state play. Regulatory coordination and technical integration could take several months—or longer—before poker becomes available to players in the state.
Still, the legislative green light marks a significant breakthrough, offering real potential for online poker to finally go live in Connecticut.
