Online Sports Betting in Connecticut

In 2021, the Connecticut state government came to an agreement with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes to legalize retail and online sports betting in the state.

Online sports betting launched in October 2021, giving Connecticut residents access to three sports betting apps: DraftKings, FanDuel, and PlaySugarHouse. The state also allows daily fantasy sports contests via FanDuel and DraftKings.

Here’s everything you need to know about online sports betting in Connecticut, including recent news, the state’s gambling laws and regulations, and more.

Details About Sports Betting in Connecticut

• Retail sports betting launched in Connecticut in September 2021, and online sports betting soft-launched on Oct. 12, 2021, with a full launch on Oct. 19, 2021. Sports betting was legalized as part of an agreement between the state’s two gaming tribes and Connecticut’s government.
• Compared to other states with legal online sports betting, Connecticut offers a limited variety of sportsbooks. Bettors can use one of three legal sportsbook apps: DraftKings, FanDuel, and PlaySugarHouse.
• Bettors can place in-person bets at one of the state’s two casinos, or by using one of several betting kiosks found throughout the state.
• The Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes control gaming in Connecticut and operate two of the three legal online sportsbooks available in the state. The third sportsbook operates in partnership with the Connecticut Lottery.

Recent Sports Betting News in Connecticut

With only three sportsbooks available, the sports betting market in Connecticut may be fairly limited, but it has still managed to grow quickly since launching in 2021. Here are some of the most recent updates regarding Connecticut’s sports betting industry:

• May 26, 2022: In partnership with the Yale School of Medicine, leaders from the Mohegan Tribe are working to launch an app designed to fight problem gambling in Connecticut.
• May 18, 2022: Connecticut’s sportsbooks report taking in over $109 million in wagers during April. A slower sports schedule – as compared to March Madness –  is likely the reason for the decline from March.
• April 18, 2022: During March, the three mobile sportsbooks available in Connecticut took in nearly $132 million in bets and $6.7 million in revenue. The Connecticut Lottery’s retail sportsbooks added an additional $8.8 million to March’s total handle.
• March 16, 2022: Connecticut’s online and retail sportsbooks combine for a $115.6 million handle in February, marking a 26.9% decrease from January.
• March 2, 2022: FanDuel will not offer daily fantasy sports contests in Connecticut until the next NFL season, as the company’s license lapsed. FanDuel said this is due to state regulations, which require the company to make changes to its platform. FanDuel’s sports betting platform will continue to take bets.
• Feb. 16, 2022: Despite the launch of mobile sports betting in New York, Connecticut sportsbooks took in a total of $158.1 million in bets and $11.2 in revenue.

Online Sports Betting Apps Available in Connecticut

There are only three online sports betting apps available in Connecticut — two that are operated by local tribes, and a third operated by the Connecticut Lottery. Here’s a quick overview of the online sportsbooks available in Connecticut:

Are Daily Fantasy Sports Apps Legal in Connecticut?

Unlike sports betting apps that allow users to bet on the outcomes of sporting events, daily fantasy sports (DFS) apps let users create their own fictional teams to compete against other users in daily contests for cash and other prizes. Because the outcome often depends on the user’s knowledge of sports, teams, and players, some states consider DFS contests to be games of skill. However, some states still consider them to be gambling and ban them under their gambling laws.

Daily fantasy sports contests are legal and regulated in Connecticut, and users can participate in these contests by registering with a DFS app like DraftKings or FanDuel. However, due to the gaming bill that legalized sports betting in Connecticut, DFS apps may become temporarily unavailable as the state attempts to reach an agreement with the gaming tribes that now control fantasy sports.

How to Place Responsible Sports Bets in Connecticut

Getting started with sports betting in Connecticut is an easy and straightforward process. If you’re 21 or older and located in Connecticut, you can register with one of the state’s three legal sports betting apps, verify your identity and age, deposit funds, and start betting.

If you plan on betting on sports online, it’s important to understand what steps you can take to gamble responsibly and reduce your chances of developing a problematic gambling habit. Problem gambling is a serious issue that can affect anyone. It can impact your personal relationships, career, financial health, and mental well-being.

To bet on sports responsibly, you should:

• Set a reasonable betting budget, and avoid going over budget for any reason.
• Avoid chasing losses.
• Only use one of Connecticut’s three legal sports betting apps to avoid fraud and scams.
• Never gamble while under the influence of any drugs or alcohol.
• Quit gambling if it’s starting to impact your personal life or career.
• Seek help immediately if you believe you may be addicted to gambling.

While many people believe they can gamble without developing a problem, gambling addiction can happen to anyone. If you believe you may be addicted to gambling, contact the National Council on Problem Gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 for assistance.

You may also consider adding yourself to Connecticut’s self-exclusion list to be excluded from legalized gaming activities in the state, including retail and online sports betting.

Connecticut Sports Betting FAQs

Editor’s Note: Information accurate as of June 2022.