Summary
- Problem gambling funds along with other issues will be covered during the hearing.
- Currently, taxes paid to the state do not contribute to problem gambling programs.
- Hotline calls have increased since online gambling went live late last year.
Gambling has been prevalent for many years in Connecticut thanks to the casinos operated by the Mashantucket Pequot and the Mohegan Tribes. Late last year, the two tribes were allowed to offer online gambling along with the state lottery. After services launched, it was not long before calls the problem-gambling hotline in the state ramped up.
Due to the onset of gambling problems in the state, officials will be reevaluating the new industry and coming up with new ways to offset the issue. Right now, the program is operating on minimal funds. The goal is to review the industry and see how more money can be allocated to assist players with a gambling issue.
Quick Increase in Calls
November 2021 was the first full month that online gambling was present in the state. During that month, players gained access casino and sports betting online. Calls to the hotline in November increased by 87% when compared to the same month the previous year.
Many calls come into the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling hotline early in the week, after players lose on Football Sunday. It seems that a large number of the calls come from young men taking part in sports betting.
So far, gamblers in Connecticut have bet $2.6 billion. $2.3 billion was wagered on casino games while $325 million went to sports. This amount covers a time period from October through December. Sportsbook operators kept over $21 million in earnings while casinos maintained over $36 million.
From those amounts, the state received close to $10 million. None of the money generated goes towards the problem gambling group.
Tight Budget for the Council on Problem Gambling
The council must work with a tight budget of only $750,000. The amount is provided by contributions from the Foxwoods Casino, the Mohegan Sun, the state Lottery, and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the state.
The group does not have it in their budget to add staff members or try to create an ad campaign to promote its services. Meanwhile, operators FanDuel and DraftKings offer a ton of ads supporting their service options in the state.
This week, the Public Safety and Security Committee will meet with an invitation-only informational hearing. The goal is to assess the industry, including the subject of funding for problem gambling service needs.
Both tribes in Connecticut have stated they plan on continuing to support the council. In 2021, the Mohegan Sun provided $23,000 in funding a month while Foxwoods provided $18,000. Mohegan Sun also plans to use some of its annual contribution funds to pay for research on new treatment options for problem gamblers.
All stakeholders should be on hand during the upcoming meeting to try and find some type of consensus regarding problem gambling and how the state can do better to protect its players.
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