Legal Connecticut Online Betting Sites
The availability of Connecticut online betting sites has grown in recent years due to positive legislation toward online gambling. Since October 2021, bettors in the Constitution State have started joining betting sites and wagering on apps.
After the launch of the online sportsbook in the state, a handful of leading online betting providers have entered the Connecticut market. In addition, bettors have the option to wager in-person at the state casinos, or via online sites or apps.
On this page, we highlight some of the recent developments for Connecticut online betting sites in 2022. Also, we provide guidance and an overview of other forms of gambling and how to choose the best providers in the Nutmeg State.
Connecticut Online Betting Sites: Sportsbooks
The road to legalized sports gambling in Connecticut was long and full of debate. Several barriers stood in the way of eventual legalization in October 2021 as discussions about who and where should offer online betting options took place.
Eventually, the issues were resolved and the two gaming tribes have provided online sports betting options since late 2021. Now, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe (Foxwoods Resort and Casino), the Mohegan Tribe (Mohegan Sun Casino), and the Connecticut state lottery offer sports betting options in-person and online via different providers.
As a result, spaces for online sportsbooks in Connecticut have been very limited. Currently, the only online operators in the state are DraftKings, FanDuel and PlaySugarHouse.
The first two operators partnered with the tribal casinos. Boston-based DraftKings have a retail spot at the Foxwoods Resort and Casino. Furthermore, FanDuel runs a retail sportsbook at the Mohegan Sun Casino and it operates an online sportsbook and app.
In addition, the Connecticut lottery partner with Rush Street Interactive to run the PlaySugarHouse platform.
However, despite the small pool of available sportsbooks, Connecticut saw $1.2 billion in bets in the first 16 days of operation. Ultimately, this highlights the demand among state residents for online and mobile sports gambling.
Sports Betting in Connecticut
Some of the biggest sports teams in the US are based in Connecticut. Millions of fans back the New England Patriots in football and the Boston Red Sox for baseball. But, due to the close proximity to New York, some fans also follow the Yankees, Jets, and Giants closely.
Although Connecticut has an affiliation with sports in general, there have historically been few legalized sports betting options for residents. For decades, one of the only in-person wagering options was via horse racing and off-track betting.
Yet, in recent years, state legislators have become more positive about legalized sports betting. Since 2017, sports gambling options have expanded to include Daily Fantasy Sports, online horse race betting, and online sports betting too.
Is Horse Betting Legal in Connecticut?
State residents have placed bets on horse and dog racing since legalization in 1976. But, even though betting on horse racing is legal in Connecticut, there are currently no in-person dog or horse race tracks. A greyhound track was situated in Bridgeport at one point, but racing no longer takes place here.
Despite the lack of in-person options available, horse race betting is popular in the state. Currently, bettors can wager at the 16 Track Betting locations. These range in size from smaller facilities to larger, sports-bar-themed locations.
All of these OTBs fall under one license which is owned and operated by the horse racing software company Sportech.
Connecticut Online Horse Betting Sites
Ultimately, the recent rise of online sports betting in Connecticut has opened up more mobile and internet wagering opportunities for horse racing enthusiasts. Both FanDuel and DraftKings have dedicated racebooks, where bettors can see the latest odds, races, and access bonuses for big races.
In addition to the new racebook providers, bettors can still use dedicated race betting sites like DRFBets and Twinspires.
These two operators are well-known for their in-depth services on horse racing in the US and from around the world. Yet, even though they are located outside of Connecticut, they hold licenses that allow them to legally take bets online from over 40 states.
Connecticut Online Betting Sites and Casinos
A further expansion of legalized gambling in the Nutmeg State also permitted the Mashantucket Pequot tribe and the Mohegan Tribe to run online casinos. Also, the expansion ensured tribal exclusivity for online gambling in Connecticut.
Along with the launch of sportsbooks in October 2021, online casinos have also been available in the state. Only two of the three operators in the state, DraftKings and FanDuel have online casino apps and sites, which residents can join. Each operator has a host of online casino games, including, poker, blackjack, roulette, and slot games.
However, as part of their partnership with the Connecticut state lottery, PlaySugarHouse cannot launch an online casino platform. This is unlikely to change in the future.
But state legislators have options to open up the online casino market for more stand-alone Connecticut online betting sites in the future. Due to this, players could see the likes of Golden Nugget, Bet MGM, or Ceasar’s launch in the Nutmeg State.
Given that 15 operators reportedly applied for a license to partner with the Connecticut lottery in 2021, competition for online casinos in the state are set to be high.
Casino Gambling in Connecticut
Despite the rise of Connecticut online betting sites recently, in-person casino gambling remains popular in the state. With no casinos in New York City or Massachusetts, players in the region have flocked to one of the two tribal casinos licensed by the state.
These Vegas-style resorts, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods, gives players a chance to feel all the glitz and glory of Bellagio while located in a remote area of Connecticut.
A new casino in Springfield, MA on the border of Connecticut and one being built in the suburbs of Boston have given cause for concern for the tribes running these Connecticut casinos.
Part of the arguments during the 2019 legislative session surrounded two casino proposals – one proposed by MGM and one from a joint venture of Mohegan and Foxwoods – that have been wrapped up in legal red tape ever since.
However, these developments could reignite in 2022 as residents and lawmakers in more populated areas appear eager to bring further land-based casinos to Connecticut.
Connecticut Lottery
One vertical that has not had any issues when it comes to legality in Connecticut is the lottery. This is one of the oldest forms of legalized gambling in the Nutmeg State. In 1972, the state lottery was legalized, along with pari-mutuel betting.
Today, the state offers lottery games to players across the state, allowing players to buy scratch cards in retail locations and via vending machines. Some of the popular choices include drawing games like Mega Millions and Powerball.
Furthermore, part of the legalization of online gambling in October 2021 included internet lottery options. Through different operators, players can access scratch cards, draw games and jackpot reward draws from mobile apps or online.
Connecticut Online Betting Sites FAQs
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