Rep. Rutigliano Honored with 2026 Advocacy Award for Efforts to Protect Consumers from Predatory Online Gambling Practices

TRUMBULL — State Representative David Rutigliano (R-Trumbull), Ranking Member of the General Law Committee, has been recognized by the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling (CCPG) with its 2026 Advocacy Award for his continued efforts to strengthen consumer protections, combat deceptive gambling advertising, and address the growing risks of online sports betting and gambling, particularly among young people.

The award was presented during CCPG's annual conference on October 14 at the Hartford Marriott Downtown, recognizing Rutigliano's legislative efforts over several sessions to protect Connecticut residents from gambling-related harm and expand access to treatment and support for those affected.

As online gambling and sports betting have expanded, Rutigliano has focused particular attention on the sophisticated technology and marketing strategies used by large gambling operators to attract and retain customers, particularly young adults and financially vulnerable individuals.

"Today's online gambling industry is a far cry from placing an occasional wager on a sporting event," said Rep. Rutigliano. "These are multibillion-dollar companies using sophisticated technology, artificial intelligence, and carefully designed marketing strategies to encourage people to gamble more frequently and spend more money. What concerns me most is how these tools can be used to target young people and individuals who can least afford to lose."

"Online gambling may be here to stay, but I strongly believe these companies have a responsibility to operate honestly and responsibly," Rutigliano continued. "We cannot allow deceptive advertising, misleading promotions, or technology designed to exploit vulnerable consumers to become an accepted business practice. The use of interest bearing credit cards to fund these accounts is unacceptable. Our laws need to keep pace with an industry that is constantly finding new ways to reach consumers."

As Ranking Member of the General Law Committee, Rutigliano has worked across party lines to advance legislation addressing these concerns.

In 2025, he proposed legislation to protect individuals who’s jointly held credit or debit card accounts could be used for gambling without the consent of all account holders. He also sought restrictions on deceptive promotional incentives that encourage excessive gambling and introduced a proposal addressing gambling advertisements on public college and university campuses. In 2026, Rutigliano co-sponsored legislation that became law, establishing additional consumer protections for online gaming, including restrictions on certain gambling advertisements and the use of artificial intelligence to target sports bettors.