Connecticut is the latest state to go live with sports betting after the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to legalize it. Initially, sports betting will be in-person only, with an online option coming later in October.
The state’s two tribal casinos received their licenses from the Department of Consumer Protection. They were given the green light to go live nearly four months after the state and the tribes reached an agreement to offer sports betting.
The launch was marked with events in both casinos on Thursday, September 30th. The state’s governor, Ned Lamont, attended both events at the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods casinos. He talked about the importance of sports betting in regard to Connecticut’s budget and finances.
The sports betting industry is expected to generate $2.5 billion in revenue in 2021 in the US and over $8 billion by 2025. The state expects to generate about $100 million in four to five years.
Foxwoods has partnered with DraftKings, which will offer retail kiosks at the casino and a temporary sportsbook, while Mohegan Sun teamed up with FanDuel and will have four live-betting windows and 50 kiosks.
Connecticut’s law also allows the state’s lottery to offer sports betting, which is expected to go live in the first week of October. The Department of Consumer Protection spokesperson stated that they’re waiting for some documents to approve an exact start date.
The state is expected to offer sports betting at 15 locations initially. At least 10 of those will be existing locations owned by Sportech, Connecticut’s off-track betting operator, and all retail and online betting will operate under the PlaySugarHouse brand.
The lottery and its partner Rush Street Interactive expect to have a mobile betting launch in early October.
