News Update from the
Region 5 Problem Gambling Awareness Team
Expansion of Gambling in CT 2021
Public Act No. 21-23 went into effect 7/1/21-

October 19, 2021 marked the full launch of sports betting and internet gambling in our state. Those over the age of 21 can now place bets on the following events:
  • Professional sporting events where the athletes are compensated more than their expenses, including sports such as minor league baseball, tennis, and mixed-martial arts 
  • College sports such as the Rose Bowl, unless one of the teams is a Connecticut team and the event is not part of an intercollegiate tournament 
  • Olympic or other international sports, such as World Cup Soccer 
  • E-sports unless one of the participants is a Connecticut college team and the event is not part of an intercollegiate tournament
ICasino or online casino gambling consists of:
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Daily Fantasy Sports
  • Casino games like poker, roulette, and slots
Online lottery will be rolled out in 2022

To learn more visit ct.gov/gaming
Prevention - Keeping the Problem Out of Gambling
There is no better time than the present for us to raise awareness about the risks involved in gambling and to protect those who are vulnerable.

Check out our website where you can download fact sheets about gambling and share them within newsletters, at table events, or on social media. Below are some examples.
Responsible Gambling
New Statewide Campaign 09/27/21
The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, in partnership with the Connecticut Lottery Corporation,
Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mohegan Sun, and Sportech, is pleased to announce a new statewide marketing campaign – Responsible Play - The CT Way.
This campaign to promote responsible gaming and inform the public about resources available for those affected by problem gambling will appear in brochures, posters, banners, and other promotional items. TV and radio spots and portions of gaming employee training will also feature the common messaging. Click here for full press release.
Self-Exclusion is a is a harm reduction tool which allows individuals the option to voluntarily exclude themselves from certain gambling activities. 
Click here to learn more.
Help Is Available
MCCA is the Bettor Choice provider for Region 5
Outpatient Treatment for Problem Gambling Includes:
  • individual, group, budget counseling for both gamblers and family members
  • psychiatric evaluation for both gamblers and family members
  • couples and family counseling
MCCA also provides short-term inpatient treatment for clients with a gambling problem at the McDonough House facility.

Help, Inc and Apex Community Care, both in Region 5, are working toward building capacity and competency to help treat co-occurring disorders with the Disordered Gambling Integration Project or DiGin. Several of their staff have joined our team. They will be working toward integrating gambling into their assessments and existing treatment and support groups.
About the Team
The Region 5 Problem Gambling Awareness Team consists of community stakeholders working toward raising awareness around disordered gambling and helping connect those in need to treatment. The team meets quarterly to review gambling trends and access to treatment. 
Our partners include DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, The CT Council on Problem Gambling and treatment providers MCCA, Help, Inc., and Apex Community Care.

Please visit the team webpage where you can find out more and download resources to share!


Western CT Coalition is the Regional Behavioral Health Action Organization servicing the 43 towns of DMHAS Region 5.

Vist our website
Follow us on Facebook @wctcoalition