The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection is responsible for implementing quality control and licensing various goods and business activities in Connecticut. Since 2021, it has also issued licenses for online gambling activities. This agency is exceptionally diligent in regulating gambling activities in the region, particularly focusing on online casinos. For more details on the benefits of these licenses or to submit a complaint, refer to the provided article.
![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
The Department of Consumer Protection website
About Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection
While many forms of gaming have been legal in Connecticut for decades, 2021 marked the most significant update to what is or will be allowed in the state when Gov. Ned Lamont signed legislation to legalize online gaming, sports betting, and fantasy sports.
The Department of Consumer Protection includes a specialized unit called the Gaming Division. This division is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in all forms of legalized gaming within the State of Connecticut and its federally recognized Tribal Nations. It achieves this by licensing all individuals and entities involved in legalized gaming, as well as by monitoring and educating to ensure compliance with gaming laws and Tribal-State agreements.
The Gaming Division has been crucial in ensuring a fair and high-quality gaming experience by creating rules that protect player rights and promote transparency in online casino platforms.
General Rules For Casino Operator
The Department of Consumer Protection imposes intricate and stringent requirements for licensing online casinos. These include identification regulations for platform personnel and mandatory financial verification processes. Overall, these rules aim to achieve mutually beneficial objectives, specifically:
- Protecting players financially and mentally.
- Ensuring transparency from the origin of the operator to the operating methods.
- Guaranteeing that players receive their winnings and avoid financial risks.
Let's explore how they can achieve the player-facing goals outlined above in the following sections.
Safeguard Young Players Who are at Risk
To protect young players, the following regulations will be enforced to mitigate risks:
- Operators must strictly verify and control the age of participants, ensuring they are over 18 for lottery games and over 21 for online casino games.
- Player information must be secured with advanced, multi-layered technology standards, and data must not be shared with unlicensed third parties.
- Only players with verified accounts are allowed to participate in betting activities, with each individual permitted to create a single account on each licensed platform.
- Operators must adhere to advertising laws to prevent misleading promotions aimed at players.
Guarantee game transparency
To maintain gaming integrity, licensed operators must adhere to the following requirements:
- Operators must report any suspected incidents involving participants in internet gaming or retail sports wagering who are engaged in, attempting to engage in, or suspected of cheating, theft, embezzlement, collusion, use of funds from illegal activities, money laundering, or any other illegal activities.
- All key employees must undergo local and national criminal history record checks as part of the application process.
- Operators must be affiliated with one of the Tribes, the Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC), or another licensee that has a contract with a Tribe or the CLC.
- Patrons can request detailed account statements for the past 12 months, including deposits, withdrawals, wins/losses, and account balances.
Making Sure Players Get Their Winnings
Players are always assured of their rights to both the money they deposit and their winnings, thanks to clearly defined terms, such as:
- Winnings from participating in a casino online must be deposited into the player’s account within 48 hours of winning
- Procedures must be established for players to report complaints about account misallocation, compromise, or mishandling, and the online gaming operator must respond to these complaints. Records of all complaints must be maintained.
- The online gaming operator must maintain a reserve to secure funds held on behalf of players, which can be in cash, irrevocable letter of credit, bond, or other acceptable forms.
- Withdrawals can be made through cash-out transfers to the debit or credit card used to fund the account or directly to the player’s personal bank account.
How to Verifying the Authenticity of a Casino's License
Finding licensed publishers is not difficult. Since Connecticut began licensing online casinos in 2021, only three gaming platforms have received authorization to offer wagering: DraftKings, FanDuel, and PlaySugarHouse. DraftKings and FanDuel are permitted to offer online casino gaming through their affiliations with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and the Mohegan Tribe, respectively.
How to Submit a Complaint
To file a complaint with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit the homepage at: https://portal.ct.gov/dcp and click on "File a Complaint."
![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Step 2: Choose "Complaint Forms - FILE A COMPLAINT."
![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Step 3: Click the link provided on the website.
![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Step 4: Select "File a New Complaint" and submit the required information.
![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Note: Users must log in or register to save and track their complaints.
![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
While online complaints can be made anonymously, doing so may limit the agency's authority and ability to investigate the complaint, which is an important consideration for players.
Contact Information
Players can also find other direct contact methods to make it more convenient for their needs:
- Address: Department of Consumer Protection, 450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 901, Hartford, Connecticut 06103-1840
- Main Line: (860) 713-6100 operating from 8:30am - 4:30pm
- Consumer Complaint Center: (860) 713-6300 open from 8:30am-4:30pm
- Email: [email protected]
The DCP’s commitment to transparency, education, and responsive action exemplifies its dedication to enhancing the quality of life for all Connecticut residents. As the landscape of consumer protection continues to evolve, the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection remains steadfast in its mission to promote fairness, safety, and trust in the marketplace.