CT HB05190

Establishes a three-member Commission on Gaming within the executive branch, effective January 1, 2021, with members appointed by the Governor possessing experience in gaming law, regulatory administration, industry management, law enforcement, or corporate finance; a Governor-appointed executive director supervises daily operations

Transfers all gaming-related regulatory functions, powers, and duties from the Department of Consumer Protection to the new commission, which serves as the successor agency responsible for licensing, oversight, enforcement, and market promotion across lottery, casino gaming, pari-mutuel wagering, off-track betting, jai alai, fantasy contests, and charitable gaming (bingo, sealed tickets, bazaars/raffles)

Assumes governance of the Connecticut Lottery Corporation effective January 1, 2021, with existing board of directors terms ending December 31, 2020; the commission appoints corporation officers including a president who serves as chief executive officer and executes a $50,000 surety bond

Authorizes MMCT Venture, LLC (Mashantucket Pequot/Mohegan joint venture) to operate a casino at 171 Bridge Street, East Windsor, subject to tribal compact amendments, federal Interior Department approval, General Assembly approval, and sovereign immunity waivers; the commission must adopt comprehensive casino regulations within 12 months of any casino authorization

Establishes a State Gaming Regulatory Fund to finance commission operations, with casino facilities assessed pro rata based on their share of annualized gross gaming revenue; maintains existing pari-mutuel tax structures including sliding scales for horse racing (3.25%–8.75%), dog racing (2%–4%), jai alai (2%–4%), and off-track betting (3.5%)

Maintains a legalized gambling investigative unit and up to four special police officers for criminal enforcement; grants the commission subpoena power, oath administration, and authority to compel testimony with contempt commitment of up to 60 days; requires monthly investigative reports to the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection

Imposes fine authority of up to $75,000 for association licensees, $5,000 for affiliate licensees, and $2,500 for other licensees; requires casino gaming employee licenses, nongaming vendor licenses (for providers of over $25,000 in goods/services annually), and gaming services licenses, with temporary licenses available pending review

Directs 2% of revenue from any form of gaming newly enacted or authorized on or after January 1, 2021 to the chronic gamblers treatment and rehabilitation account; requires preparation and distribution of compulsive gambling prevention materials displayed at all gaming facilities, and mandates studies on gambling effects at least once every ten years

Requires local referendum approval for new gambling facilities (excluding renewals and pre-June 1993 off-track betting facilities); caps off-track betting at a maximum of 24 branch facilities; limits dog racing to 580 performances per calendar year; and sets the minimum age for casino floor access at 21 (with employment permitted at 18 for non-alcohol-handling licensed positions)

Amends 78 total sections across numerous titles of the Connecticut General Statutes—spanning lottery, gambling taxation, liquor control, public safety, employment law, criminal law, agriculture, and municipal government—with a phased transition: 74 sections effective January 1, 2021, and two organizational sections effective July 1, 2022; repeals sections 12-570b and 21a-1b