Preview of Sportsbooks for Connecticut bettors
Connecticut entered the world of sports betting in September 2021, when retail sportsbooks opened in the state. Legal online sports betting sites and apps followed a month later in October 2021. Traditionally, tribal casinos have served the Constitution State and are closely afflicted with the Connecticut sports betting market. FanDuel and DraftKings are both operating in the state in partnership with the casino-owning tribes while SugarHouse offers betting services as the official provider of the state lottery.
Legalization of Sportsbooks in Connecticut
Connecticut legalized sports betting in 2017. The state is one of the very few that allowed sports betting legally within its territory before the overturn of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) by the Supreme Court in 2018. The sport betting law instituted in 2017 by the state of Connecticut however needed a change in the federal law to become effective. The fall of PASPA in 2018 automatically signified that regulated sports betting activities can commence within the state.
Despite the early legalization, sports betting activities did not come to life in Connecticut until 2021. This is due to the fact that sports betting did not get the required legislative approval to kickoff in the state. A couple of bills on sports betting failed legislative attempts within 2018 to 2020. The state will however reach an agreement with the Mohegan Tribe and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation in 2021 which saw the launch of sports betting in the state after legislative approval. Retail sportsbooks commenced in Connecticut in September 2021 while sports betting on the online space launched in October.
Best Sites for Sports Betting in Connecticut
The Connecticut sports betting law makes provision for only two retail sportsbooks and three sport betting platforms on the online space. Only two tribes involved in the compact with the state government are only allowed to operate sportsbooks. Top online sportsbooks had to reach an agreement with the tribes to operate in the state. This eventually led to online sportsbook giants FanDuel and DraftKing partnering with the tribes, and SugarHouse reaching an agreement with the state government.
DraftKings: DraftKings was the first sportsbook to secure a partnership with a Connecticut tribe in the wake of legalization of sports betting in the state. The Boston-based sportsbook reached an agreement with Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation to offer sports betting in the state even before the legalization and approval in 2020. DraftKings expansion to the state of Connecticut ensured its presence in the tri-state area which includes New York and New Jersey. DraftKings ensured itself as a viable option to bettors in Connecticut. Besides offering some of the best odds and betting options, the sportsbook operator also offers private betting pools that allow users to contest with family and friends.
FanDuel: FanDuel reached an agreement with the Mohegan Tribe in July 2021 to supply retail and online sports betting through the tribe's license. The agreement also included FanDuel powering the Mohegan iGaming and Daily Fantasy Sports operation in the state. Expansion to Connecticut further reinstated the position of FanDuel at the pinnacle of the American sports betting industry. The sportsbook provides bettors in Connecticut a fantastic gaming experience beyond the usual which is aiding its growth within the state. With the FanDuel app, bettors get lots of odds boosts and promotions, coupled with opportunity to place same-game parlays including multiple player props, a feature not all sportsbooks offer
SugarHouse: After DraftKing and FanDuel had secured partnership deals with the two tribal nations licensed to operate sports betting in Connecticut, there’s only one sports betting skin left for the state. The third and final betting skin which will partner the state-owned Connecticut Lottery was a well anticipated one. There were reported five bidders for the skin with BetMGM considered the favorites. In August 2021, the Connecticut Lottery announced SugarHouse sportsbook as its partner in offering online sports betting in the state after sealing a deal with Rush Street Interactive. Sign-up bonuses and iRush loyalty rewards membership are offered by Sugarhouse to new players. The app is easy to use and offers a wide variety of available bets, but there are complaints of poor customer service and lengthy payout wait times for in some quarters. Bettors can redeem reward points for bonus wagers by placing bets on SugarHouse.
Retail Betting Facilities in Connecticut
There are a number of places in which in-person sports betting can be made in the state of connecticut. The facilities had existed earlier for other forms of gambling, but has actively incorporated sports betting. Venues include;
Casino Locations
Mohegan Sun Casino: owned and operated by the Mohegan Tribe
Foxwoods Resort Casino; owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.
Connecticut Lottery
Available at retailers across Connecticut
Off Track Betting Location
Maintains 15 locations across Connecticut which is operated by Sportech through the Winners brand
Connecticut Betting FAQs
Is Sports Betting Legal in Connecticut?
Sports betting is legal in the state of Connecticut. There has been in place, a law that legalized sports betting within the state in 2017, before the collapse of PASPA in 2018. The state legislature gave approval to the operation of sports betting in the state in 2020 after a series of delays. The state allows sports betting both in the retail and online space.
When did Sports Betting Activities Launch in Connecticut?
Sports betting went live in the state of Connecticut on September 31st, 2021 after retail sportsbooks owned by the two licensed tribes commenced operation. The online sport betting launched the following month with a soft launch on October 12, and a complete official launch on October 19, 2021. Sports betting has witnessed rapid growth within the state of Connecticut ever since the launch.
How Many Online Sportsbooks Operate in Connecticut?
Due to the exclusivity maintained in the gambling industry by two tribes and the state lottery in Connecticut, sports betting operators in the state are only limited to three. The three sportsbooks available in Connecticut are DraftKings, FanDuel and SugarHouse who have partnered with each of the three licensed bodies.
Who is the DraftKings Partner in Connecticut?
DraftKings is operating in the state of Connecticut with a partnership struck with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation which operates the Foxwood Casinos. The partnership was agreed in 2020 while the sports betting operation in the state was still awaiting the approval of the Connecticut Legislature.
Who is the FanDuel Partner in Connecticut?
FanDuel partnered with the Mohegan Tribe to provide sports betting in the state of Connecticut. The Mohegan Tribe owns and operates the Mohegan Sun Casino. The deal agreed between both parties involved sports betting, iGaming and daily fantasy sports.
Who is the SugarHouse Partner in Connecticut?
SugarHouse has the Connecticut Lottery as its partner in Connecticut. The third skin of sports betting belongs to the state lottery and it agreed to let SugarHouse offer sports betting service on its behalf after striking a deal with Rush Street Interactive in 2021.
Can Bettors Wager on College Games in Connecticut?
The legality of wagering on collegiate sports is limited in Connecticut, especially when it comes to betting on local teams. The state regulation only bets on a Connecticut college team if it is participating in an intercollegiate tournament. In order to be eligible for wagering, Connecticut teams must take part in a tournament with four or more teams. Furthermore, the wager must be based on the results of all the tournament games and specifically individual matches.
