Connecticut 2026 Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 3 R · 1 D cosponsors

SB 296 — AN ACT CONCERNING RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION WITH RESPECT TO THE CONNECTICUT UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES ACT AND SPORTS WAGERING.

Last action — SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 25, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Ned Lamont (Democratic) on May 26, 2026.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 4 sponsors

    4 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (3 R · 1 D) — cross-party backing.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

The bill addresses recommendations related to consumer protection in sports wagering in Connecticut.

This legislation focuses on updating practices under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act specifically for sports wagering. It aims to enhance consumer protection measures in this area.

What this means for you
  • Consumers: This means you may have better protections and clearer information when participating in sports wagering.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

192 added · 331 removed

Plain-language change summary

The new version of SB 296 clarifies and expands the powers of the Commissioner of Consumer Protection when conducting investigations. Key changes include the ability to subpoena individuals and gather evidence, which helps ensure fair practices in consumer protection. This matters because it strengthens the state's ability to investigate potential unfair trade practices and protect consumers more effectively. Additionally, it maintains important legal protections for individuals against self-incrimination during these processes.

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Previous
Latest
Senate General Assembly File No.
Substitute Senate Bill No.
651 February Session, 2026 Substitute Senate Bill No.
296 Public Act No.
296 Senate, April 16, 2026 The Committee on Judiciary reportedthrough SEN.
26-82 AN ACT CONCERNING RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION WITH RESPECT TO THE CONNECTICUT UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES ACT AND SPORTS WAGERING.
WINFIELD of the 10th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the Senate, that the substitute bill ought to pass.
AN ACT CONCERNING RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION WITH RESPECT TO THE CONNECTICUT UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES ACT AND SPORTS WAGERING.
In additionto other powersconferreduponthe commissioner by this chapter, the commissioner or the commissioner's authorizedrepresentativesmay issuesubpoenasto any personinvolved in any matter under investigation and examination, administer an oath or affirmation to any person, and conduct hearings in aid of any investigationor examination, provided noneof the powers conferred by this chapter shall be used for the purpose of compelling any natural sSB296 / File No.
In additionto other powersconferreduponthe commissioner by this chapter, the commissioner or the commissioner's authorizedrepresentativesmay issuesubpoenasto any personinvolved in any matter under investigation and examination, administer an oath or affirmation to any person, and conduct hearings in aid of any investigationor examination, provided noneof the powers conferred by this chapter shall be used for the purpose of compelling any natural person to furnish testimony or evidence which might tend to incriminate him or subject him to a penalty or forfeiture.
651 1 sSB296 File No.
(b) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection or the commissioner's authorized representatives shall have the right to (1) enter any place or Substitute Senate Bill No.
651 person to furnish testimony or evidence which might tend to incriminate him or subject him to a penalty or forfeiture.
296 establishment within the state, at reasonable times, for the purpose of making an investigation;
(b) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection or the commissioner's authorized representatives shall have the right to (1) enter any place or establishment within the state, at reasonable times, for the purpose of making an investigation;
sSB296 / File No.
(d) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection, in conformance with sections 4-176e to 4-185, inclusive, whenever the commissioner has Public Act No.
651 2 sSB296 File No.
26-82 2 of 7 Substitute Senate Bill No.
651 (d) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection, in conformance with sections 4-176e to 4-185, inclusive, whenever the commissioner has reason to believe that any person has been engaged or is engaged in an alleged violation of any provision of this chapter, shall deliver to such person, in a manner that is sufficient to effectuate notice as set forth in section 21a-2, a complaint stating the charges and containing a notice of a hearing, to be held upon a day and at a place therein fixed at least fifteendaysafter thedate ofsuchcomplaint.
296 reason to believe that any person has been engaged or is engaged in an alleged violation of any provision of this chapter, shall deliver to such person, in a manner that is sufficient to effectuate notice as set forth in section 21a-2, a complaint stating the charges and containing a notice of a hearing, to be held upon a day and at a place therein fixed at least fifteendaysafter thedate ofsuchcomplaint.
The commissioner may apply for the enforcement of any cease and desist order, civil penalty, order directing restitution or consent order issued or imposed under this chapter to the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford, or to any judge thereof if the same is not in session, for an order temporarily or permanently restraining and sSB296 / File No.
The commissioner may apply for the enforcement of any cease and desist order, civil penalty, order directing restitution or consent order issued or imposed under this chapter to the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford, or to any judge thereof if the same is not in session, for an order temporarily or permanently restraining and Public Act No.
651 3 sSB296 File No.
26-82 3 of 7 Substitute Senate Bill No.
651 enjoining any person from continuing any violation of such cease and desist order, an order directing payment of any civil penalty or restitution or a consent order.
296 enjoining any person from continuing any violation of such cease and desist order, an order directing payment of any civil penalty or restitution or a consent order.
and (4) formal action taken, including the institution of administrative proceedings pursuant to subsection (d) of this section or court proceedings pursuant to section 42-110m, 42-110o or 42-110p.
and (4) formal action taken, including the institution of administrative proceedings pursuant to subsection (d) of this section or Public Act No.
The commissioner may withhold such records from disclosure during the pendency of an investigation or examination held in accordance with sSB296 / File No.
26-82 4 of 7 Substitute Senate Bill No.
651 4 sSB296 File No.
296 court proceedings pursuant to section 42-110m, 42-110o or 42-110p.
651 subsection (a) of this section, but in no event shall the commissioner withhold any such records [longer than a period of eighteen months after the date on which the initial complaint was filed with the commissioner or] after the date on which the investigation or examination was [commenced, whichever is earlier] closed.
The commissioner may withhold such records from disclosure during the pendency of an investigation or examination held in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, but in no event shall the commissioner withhold any such records [longer than a period of eighteen months after the date on which the initial complaint was filed with the commissioner or] after the date on which the investigation or examination was [commenced, whichever is earlier] closed.
(1) Knowingly uses analtered or counterfeit chip,token,tile,pulltab,wagering slipor check or knowingly marks, loads or tampers with any cards or dice or substitutes for cards or dice provided by the operator of a lawfully operated game of chance any cards or dice that have been marked, loaded or tampered with;
(1) Knowingly uses analtered or counterfeit chip,token,tile,pulltab,wagering slipor check or knowingly marks, loads or tampers with any cards or dice or Public Act No.
26-82 5 of 7 Substitute Senate Bill No.
296 substitutes for cards or dice provided by the operator of a lawfully operated game of chance any cards or dice that have been marked, loaded or tampered with;
sSB296 / File No.
or (3) intentionally places, increases or attempts to increase a winning wager or decreases or attempts to decrease a losing wager after that period of time during which the rules of a lawfully operated game of chance permit a wager to be placed or after the results of the game in which the wager has been placed become known;
651 5 sSB296 File No.
651 or (3) intentionally places, increases or attempts to increase a winning wager or decreases or attempts to decrease a losing wager after that period of time during which the rules of a lawfully operated game of chance permit a wager to be placed or after the results of the game in which the wager has been placed become known;
(c) The Attorney General, at the request of the commissioner, is authorized to apply in the name of the state to the Superior Court for an order temporarily or permanently restraining and enjoining any person from violating any provision of sections 12-852 to 12-871, inclusive, and from offering, advertising or making available to any resident of this state any sports wagering service without a license required under this chapter and to seek such other or further relief as the court deems appropriate.
(c) The Attorney General, at the request of the commissioner, is authorized to apply in the name of the state to the Superior Court for an order temporarily or permanently restraining and enjoining any person from violating any provision of sections 12-852 to 12-871, inclusive, and from offering, advertising or making available to any resident of this state any sports wagering service without a license required under this chapter and to seek such other or further relief as the court deems Public Act No.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the commissioner'sortheAttorney General'srightsandremediesotherwise provided by law, including by chapter 735a.
26-82 6 of 7 Substitute Senate Bill No.
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
296 appropriate, provided the relief authorized under this subsection does not apply to conduct that would be protected by subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 42-110c.
Section 1 October 1, 2026 42-110d sSB296 / File No.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the commissioner's or the Attorney General's rights and remedies otherwise provided by law.
651 6 sSB296 File No.
Governor's Action:
651 Sec.
Approved May 26, 2026 Public Act No.
2 from passage 12-863a Sec.
26-82 7 of 7
3 October 1, 2026 53a-127d Sec.
4 from passage 12-861(c) JUD Joint Favorable Subst.
sSB296 / File No.
651 7 sSB296 File No.
651 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.
In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.
Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.
OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:
Show all 98 changed rows (58 more)
Previous
Latest
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 27 $ FY 28 $ Correction, Dept.;
Judicial Dept.
GF - Potential Minimal Minimal (Probation) Cost Resources of the General Fund GF - Potential Minimal Minimal Revenue Gain Note:
GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:
None Explanation The billexpandsthecrimesofcheating and allowing underage online gaming or sports wagering, resulting in a potential cost to the Department of Correction and the Judicial Department for incarceration or probation and a potential revenue gain to the General Fund from fines.
On average, the marginal cost to the state for incarcerating an offender for the year is $3,300 while the average marginal cost for supervision in the community is less than $600 each year for adults and $450 each year for juveniles.
The bill also makes various changes to the Connecticut unfair trade Between FY 22 and FY 25, there were 8 offenses recorded and no fines collected under CGS § 53a-127d.
No data is available for CGS § 12-863a in this timeframe.
2Inmate marginal cost is based on increased consumables (e.g., food, clothing, water, sewage, living supplies, etc.) This does not include a change in staffing costs or utility expenses because these expenses would only be realized if a unit or facility opened.
3Probation marginal cost is based on services provided by private providers and only includes costs that increase with each additional participant.
This does not include a cost for additional supervision by a probation officer unless a new offense is anticipated to result in enough additional offenders to require additional probation officers.
sSB296 / File No.
651 8 sSB296 File No.
651 practice statutes resulting in no fiscal impact to the state.
The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to the number of violations.
sSB296 / File No.
651 9 sSB296 File No.
651 OLR Bill Analysis sSB 296 AN ACT CONCERNING RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION WITH RESPECT TO THE CONNECTICUT UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES ACT AND SPORTS WAGERING.
SUMMARY This bill makes several changes related to Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA) violations and records, the crime of cheating, and certain gaming violations.
The bill expands when the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) can require restitution after finding a CUTPA violation.
Currently, DCP may do so in cases involving up to $10,000.
The bill expands this to cases involving up to $25,000 per consumer.
It also changes how long DCP or the attorney general can withhold records about CUTPA investigations from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
Currently, these records can be withheld for the lesser of 18 months from the filing of a complaint or from the start of an investigation.
The bill instead permits withholding these records until the investigation closes (§ 1).
The bill expands the crime of cheating to include when a person, to gain an advantage for himself, herself, or another person:
1.
intentionally attempts to change the results of a sports wager’s outcome through a promise or offer of an advantage or benefit to another person or 2.
solicits or accepts for himself, herself, or another person an advantage, benefit, or the promise or offer of one, with intent to change the results of a sports wager’s outcome.
sSB296 / File No.
651 10 sSB296 File No.
651 In both circumstances, the wager or the conduct must occur in Connecticut (§ 3).
The bill makes this, as with most other forms of cheating, a class D felony (punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both) (see BACKGROUND).
The bill specifies certain actions the attorney general can take related to online gaming and sports wagering at the DCP commissioner’s request.
Currently, the DCP commissioner can ask the attorney general to seek restraining orders and injunctions in court to stop violations of these laws.
The bill also allows the attorney general, at the commissioner’s request, to seek these court orders and other court relief to stop someone from offering or advertising sports wagering services to state residents without a license.
The bill specifies that this does not limit the commissioner’s or attorney general’s rights and remedies under CUTPA (§ 4).
The bill also specifies that online gaming is online casino gaming or online sports wagering for purposes of criminal penalties for allowing an underage person to open an account or place wagers (§ 2).
As under current law, a violation is a class C misdemeanor (punishable by up to three months in prison, a fine of up to $500, or both).
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Upon passage, except the CUTPA restitution and cheating provisions are effective October 1, 2026.
BACKGROUND CUTPA By law, CUTPA prohibits businesses from engaging in unfair and deceptive acts or practices.
It allows the DCP commissioner, under specified procedures, to issue regulations defining an unfair trade practice, investigate complaints, issue cease and desist orders, order restitution in certain cases, impose civil penalties of up to $5,000, enter into consent agreements, ask the attorney general to seek injunctive relief, and accept voluntary statements of compliance.
It also allows individuals to sue.
Courts may issue restraining orders;
award actual andpunitivedamages, costs,andreasonableattorney’sfees;andimpose sSB296 / File No.
651 11 sSB296 File No.
651 civil penalties of up to $5,000 for willful violations and up to $25,000 for a restraining order violation.
Cheating Under existing law, cheating includes:
1.
knowingly using an altered or counterfeit item, or knowingly tampering with cards or dice or substituting cards or dice for ones provided by the game operator;
2.
knowingly using a device or substance intending to cheat or change the random results of a game of chance;
or 3.
intentionally placing or changing a wager after the time permitted to place it or after the game results are known.
Cheating is a class D felony, except that placing or changing wagers after the time permitted or after results are known is a class B misdemeanor (punishable by up to six months in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both).
COMMITTEE ACTION Judiciary Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Yea 41 Nay 0 (03/30/2026) sSB296 / File No.
651 12
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How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill revises several sections of the existing laws related to the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act and sports wagering, enhancing regulatory powers and defining violations more clearly.

  • Section 42-110d

    ten → twenty-five

    Increases the civil penalty limit from ten thousand dollars to twenty-five thousand dollars per consumer for violations.

  • Section 42-110d

    longer than a period of eighteen months after the date on which the initial complaint was filed with the commissioner or after the date on which the investigation or examination was commenced, whichever is earlier

    Removes the specific time limitation on how long the commissioner can withhold certain records from disclosure during an investigation.

  • Section 12-863a

    No person shall knowingly allow a person who is not of the legal age for participation in online casino gaming, online sports wagering and retail sports wagering to (1) open, maintain or use an account with an online gaming operator, or (2) make or attempt to make a wager on Internet games or with a sports wagering retailer.

    Establishes new restrictions on participation by minors in online and retail sports wagering.

  • Section 53a-127d

    or knowingly marks, loads or tampers with any cards or dice or substitutes for cards or dice provided by the operator of a lawfully operated game of chance any cards or dice that have been marked, loaded or tampered with;

    Clarifies the definition of cheating by removing an ambiguous section regarding cards and dice tampering.

  • Section 53a-127d

    intentionally attempts to alter the result of a betting outcome of a sports wager to advantage himself, herself or another person, through the use of a promise or offer of any advantage or benefit made or given to another person, if either the wager or the attempt to alter the result occurred in this state;

    Adds specific language regarding attempts to alter the results of sports wagers to clarify what constitutes cheating.

  • Subsection (c) of section 12-861

    The Attorney General, at the request of the commissioner, is authorized to apply in the name of the state to the Superior Court for an order temporarily or permanently restraining and enjoining any person from violating any provision of sections 12-852 to 12-871, inclusive, and from offering, advertising or making available to any resident of this state any sports wagering.

    Empowers the Attorney General to seek court orders against violations of sports wagering laws and enhances enforcement capabilities.

Action History

  1. SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

  2. TRANSMITTED BY SECRETARY OF THE STATE TO GOVERNOR

  3. TRANSMITTED TO SECRETARY OF THE STATE

  4. PUBLIC ACT 26-82

  5. IN CONCURRENCE

  6. HOUSE PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

  7. HOUSE ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

  8. HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 536

  9. FAV. RPT., TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR

  10. RULES SUSPENDED,TRANS.TO HOUSE

  11. SEN. PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

  12. SEN. ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

  13. FILE NO. 651

  14. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 413

  15. FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.

  16. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  17. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/15/26

  18. FILED WITH LCO

  19. Joint Favorable Substitute

  20. PUBLIC HEARING 0304

  21. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Judiciary

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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4 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 183 not signed on

Sponsors (4)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (183)

183 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 183 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 296?
SB 296 is sponsored by Steven J. Stafstrom (Democratic), Paul Cicarella (Republican), David Rutigliano (Republican), and John A. Kissel (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 296?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 25, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 296?
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