Gambling from your tv?

We have the world's largest casino and a number of sports betting facilities.

Soon, you may be able to experience the thrill of gambling without ever leaving your home.

State regulators will consider connecting you through cable.

"And coming hard on the outside 'Nalzone', 'Private Scandal' in front, 'Nalzone' on the outside. 'Minstrels' moving toward the rail."

For years, the state's 12 off track betting facilities have been the place to be for race fans to watch and wager.

"Okay, your wager is $15, your balance is now $52.45."

And over a quarter of a million wagers are placed via telephone every month, but now auto-tote, the people who run Sports Haven and the other O.T.B's want to bring the race broadcasts to your home via cable TV.

John Ponzio, president of Autotote says,"One of the things that makes this possible is the digital cable, there's much more channel capacity, therefor, the cost of being on these channels is considerably lower."

Many of the customers here say they like the idea. Most already have telephone accounts.

Dianne Orzolek from Hamden says,"It's convenient, in case you can't get out but I certainly would still come here just for the socialization."

Autotote doesn't think the home telecasts will hurt attendance at the OTB facilities but will increase wagering on the phone, currently a $25 million a year business.

Bobbie Baldino, East Haven, says, "I do have an account and I would probably gamble a little bit more because it's so convenient."

Alexis Carol, from the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling says,"There are at least 5.4 percent of the adult population already struggling with either problem gambling or pathological gambling."

And the Council on problem gambling isn't the only ones to oppose this idea.

The attorney general says regulators should only approve the at-home telecasts if they do not include any promotion of telephone gambling lines but there may be little else to prevent this from happening.

Even a spokesman for the state agency that regulates gambling in Connecticut tells us that Thursday's hearing is not antagonistic, just informational.

This idea could be up and running by January.