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Connecticut Online Poker Moves Toward Multi-State Player Pool with New Legislation

Connecticut Online Poker Moves Toward Multi-State Player Pool with New Legislation
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Iva Dozet News Editor
  • Fact Checked by: PokerListings
  • Last updated on: March 11, 2025 · 2 minutes to read

Pushes for more poker legislation have been popping up across the United States since the beginning of this year. Now, it looks like it’s ​Connecticut’s turn to shuffle the deck and (at least potentially) deal in online poker a broader range of opponents for its players. A new legislative proposal, Senate Bill 1464 (SB 1464) to be exact, has been introduced by the state’s Joint Committee on General Law, aiming to allow Connecticut online poker to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) — something we discussed in detailed when Pennsylvania joined MSIGA just a few months ago.

If it goes all the way (and that’s still a big if), this legislative move could enable online poker players in Connecticut to compete against players from other states within MSIGA, increasing the player pool and enhancing the quality of play.

PokerListing has all the details below! ​

What’s in the Cards for Connecticut Online Poker?

In its current form, Bill SB 1464 is looking to empower Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont to enter into agreements with other U.S. states, territories, and federally recognized Indian tribes engaged in gaming operations. As was the case with Pennsylvania, the goal is to authorize online gaming operators to conduct multijurisdictional Internet gaming for peer-to-peer casino games, including online poker. This means that, if the bill passes, Connecticut could join states like Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia in the MSIGA, allowing for a much more competitive online poker scene.

So, Why Does This Matter?

If you’re not all that into poker legislation, you might be wondering why this even matters.

Well, for one, online poker thrives on having a large and active player base. It’s no secret that Connecticut has a relatively small population, which has been a limiting factor for operators considering launching online poker platforms in the state. By joining the MSIGA, Connecticut could offer its players access to larger, interstate poker games and tournaments, making the Connecticut online poker market more attractive to both players and operators.

A Bit Beyond Poker: Some Additional Provisions

While SB 1464 isn’t solely focused on poker, this is the part we’ve discussed so far. However, the bill also introduces measures aimed at promoting responsible gambling. These include requirements for gaming operators to provide deposit limits and self-exclusion options, giving the players tools to manage their gaming habits effectively. Additionally, the bill also proposes that gaming licensees must address errors in betting odds by halting wagers and providing refunds, meaning it also aims to tackle fairness and transparency in the betting process.

What’s Next for Connecticut Online Poker?

At this point, nothing is certain and Senate Bill SB 1464 is just that — a bill, not law. For now, a public hearing for it has been scheduled for March 12, 2025. This will give an opportunity to stakeholders and the public to voice their opinions on the proposed legislation. If the bill progresses smoothly through the legislative process, Connecticut could see the launch of online multi-state poker later this year, which would be a significant milestone for poker players in the Constitution State.

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