Cheating a Casino in Connecticut Could Soon Carry a Felony Charge and Five-Year Prison Sentence

Posted on: May 7, 2026, 11:37h. 

Last updated on: May 7, 2026, 11:37h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • Connecticut is set to elevate criminal charges against casino cheats
  • The law will additionally apply to match fixing in sports and the lottery

Connecticut is poised to ramp up possible punishments for a person found guilty of cheating a casino or fixing a sports bet.

Connecticut casino cheating charges
A casino security worker surveils a poker game. Cheating inside a Connecticut casino or fixing a sports bet could soon bring a felony charge and possible imprisonment of five years. (Image: Getty)

This week, the Connecticut General Assembly forwarded Senate Bill 296 to Gov. Ned Lamont (D). The statute elevates the criminal penalty for cheating a gambling operation within the state.

The measure addresses a growing number of instances of alleged match-fixing in collegiate and professional sports.

Unfortunately, we have all seen in certain betting contexts where you know statistics or even game results are manipulated as a result of someone trying to win a bet,” said Rep. Steve Stafstrom (D-Bridgeport). Stafstrom co-chairs the Judiciary Committee, which introduced SB296.

The bill increases the repercussions of trying to cheat at Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun, the only two casinos in Connecticut. Bad actors at fraternal and other nonprofit places where charitable gaming is conducted would face similar criminal consequences. A person trying to defraud the state-run lottery would, too.

Should Lamont sign the bill, cheats would face a felony charge with possible penalties including up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines. The law would become effective Oct. 1, 2026. 

Sports Betting Protections

As the Connecticut General Assembly’s 2026 session came to a close, lawmakers also signed off on legislation that seeks to scale back the state’s sports betting market by placing new restrictions on the industry.

File 236, a substitute for House Bill 5229, introduced by the General Law Committee, describes a series of additional consumer safeguards that sportsbooks must comply with. Connecticut has three sportsbooks: DraftKings (Foxwoods), FanDuel (Mohegan Sun), and Fanatics (Connecticut Lottery). HB5229, should Lamont sign, would require the three retail and online sportsbooks to maintain toll-free telephone numbers providing customer support. Email and online chat options can no longer be the only way for a sports bettor to reach the book.

A sportsbook is also not allowed to cancel a sports bettor’s withdrawal request unless the customer says their banking information was incorrect or to comply with fraud prevention and anti-money laundering requirements.

The bill additionally prevents gaming entities from advertising on public college campuses and athletic facilities. The marketing ban applies to all websites and social media linked to the schools. Gaming adverts could bypass the law by including a public disclosure of any relationships with the college.

HB5229 would take effect July 1, 2026.

Prediction Market Study

Lamont recommended that a study on prediction markets be conducted on the controversial federally-regulated trading exchanges that today offer sports contracts.

Governor’s Bill 5038 was implemented into HB5229. The measure requires the Consumer Protection Department to study and prepare a report with recommendations for how Connecticut should go about dealing with prediction markets.

The review is to be conducted in consultation with the Mohegan Tribe, Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, and the attorney general’s office. The report is due February 1, 2027.