For decades, the profile of a problem gambler was an elderly woman spending too much money at the casino on slot machines.
Today that portrait has changed sharply to a 30-year-old man placing bets on his cell phone because he is addicted to sports betting, officials said.
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal wants to curb that addiction. Blumenthal gathered Monday morning with advocates outside the XL Center in downtown Hartford in front of a large retail sports betting parlor that has been constructed inside the arena.
Known as the SAFE Bet Act, Blumenthal is sponsoring detailed legislation for federal consumer standards and protections for the fast-growing sports betting industry. The bill would require states that have legalized sports betting, including Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and Massachusetts, to reach certain standards regarding affordability, advertising, and artificial intelligence in an effort to curb problem gambling.
One of the proposals calls for banning commercials on sports betting during live athletic events — a time when sports fans are highly enthusiastic about their teams.