Connecticut Sports Betting

The state of Connecticut has a long history with gambling and has had legal casino gambling options since the 1990s, but legal sports betting is a relatively new activity for the state. Although the state has legalized sports betting, there is still some work that needs to be done before the market can go live. So what will sports betting in Connecticut look like? Let’s find out!

Is sports betting legal in Connecticut?

Yes, sports betting is legal in the state of Connecticut.

In January 2021, lawmakers in the Nutmeg State filed a bill that would allow the state’s two gambling tribes, the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribe, to offer online sports betting and online casino gambling in the state. Then in February, Governor Ned Lamont introduced a bill that would amend the existing state tribe gambling compacts to include online gambling.

Lamont went on to agree on new compacts with the two tribal gambling groups in March. The bill previously introduced by Lamont was eventually approved and signed into law in May.

Officially, online sports betting was launched on October 19, and despite restrictions in place regarding bettors and hours that were permitted, the likes of DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook were ready to go from the offset. Retail sportsbook launched a little before this date on September 30.

Betting on College Sports Teams

There are some complexities relating to betting on college teams — here’s a quick explanation. As it stands, college sports betting is permitted if the teams are not from inside the state’s borders. For example, you could bet on the Villanova Wildcats against the Kansas Jayhawks, if it were an individual match, however not the Huskies. There are some exceptions with certain events. March Madness is an intercollegiate tournament that involves more than four teams, so sports wagering in this instance is acceptable no matter which team is involved, including those from interstate. 

Where Can I Bet on Sports in Connecticut?

As CT sports betting is now live, residents and visitors are able to bet online via mobile sportsbook apps or websites hosted by a range of operators. In total, there are three legal online sportsbook routes you can take in order to bet on your favorite sporting events. Sports bettors will be pleased to know that these are three of the biggest global operators — as such, they offer many fantastic bonuses and features through their sports wagering platforms. Let’s take a look at each one individually.

What Sports Can I Bet On?

Punters are lucky with the broad range of sports available via CT sports betting sites, but of course, there will always be some that are more popular than others. During key moments of a tournament or prior to important matches, sportsbooks may enhance the odds on particular teams, so keep an eye out for your favorite sports and the top teams on your preferred online sportsbooks. 

Don’t forget there’s an exciting range of college sports available in Connecticut, including the New Haven Chargers, a range of athletic teams that represent the University of New Haven in Connecticut in NCAA Division II. 

For now, let’s break down some of the sports that you may find at a Connecticut sports betting site.

Baseball

While Connecticut doesn’t have a men’s major league baseball franchise, it does have the Connecticut Huskies, the baseball team representing the University of Connecticut in the NCAA Big East League. It’s possible to wager on the Huskies via your preferred online sportsbook as long as they’re engaged in an intercollegiate tournament. 

Basketball

If basketball is more your thing, you might want to check out the Connecticut Sun in the Eastern Division of the WNBA. There’s no men’s NBA team based in Connecticut, with most basketball fans cheering for the Connecticut Huskies which has both a men’s and women’s team. The women’s team is considered one of the most dominant in the league, having achieved a record 11 NCAA Division 1 National Championships and a women’s record of four in a row, achieved between 2013 and 2016. At present, the men’s Huskies are second in the Eastern Division and have previously won four NCAA Division 1 National Championships.

Soccer

Connecticut’s professional soccer team, Hartford City FC, is based in West Hartford and plays in the National Premier Soccer League’s (NPSL) Northeast Region, in the North Atlantic Conference. However, they aren’t the only soccer sports team you can bet on through Connecticut sportbooks, with 28 teams forming the top Major League Soccer (MLS) division, as well as a whole host of teams comprising other divisions, right down to the MLS Next Pro division. 

On the women’s side, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) consists of 12 teams, with new additions joining all the time – however there is currently no professional team from Connecticut. Soccer is still a developing sport in the US but one that is building at a rapid pace.

Football

The Hartford Blues played in the NFL in 1926, however the state is now represented by the New England Patriots who are based in the Greater Boston area, competing in the NFL as part of the Conference East Division. In addition to this professional team, the state has had a successful history at college level football, with 43 players who passed through the University of Connecticut being selected to play in the NFL league. At present, the UCONN Huskies compete in NCAA Division I FBS as an Independent, and were active in Division I-AA until 1999.

Tennis

The Connecticut Open was a professional tennis tournament held each year in August — its final competition was won by Aryna Sabalenka in 2018. Following that year’s event, the tournament rights were sold to a sports and entertainment company, and the tournament itself moved to Zhengzhou in China. However, aside from in-state opportunities, tennis is still a well supported sport in the US, with Connecticut sportsbooks offering a range of odds for the grand slams, as well as smaller tournaments across the season. 

What Bets Can I Make?

There’s a wide range and variety of betting options on the best sports betting sites, so it’s important to have a read through to see what options there are and to work out which best suit your betting style. Of course, there will always be variation from site to site, and sometimes even from day to day, depending on the bet type and what events are in the calendar. Here are some of your main options.

Moneyline

A moneyline bet is one of the less complex bets to make as it’s simply a decision on who will win the game. If you have a feeling that the Boston Red Sox are going to defeat the Detroit Tigers, then a moneyline bet is potentially the best option for you. The odds will show a plus and minus sign to distinguish the favorite and the underdog of any one match — you may see a team with moneyline odds of +150, meaning a standard $100 bet will return $250. For a team with moneyline odds of -150, a $100 bet will return $166.

Point Spread

If you don’t want to simply bet on the winner of a game, perhaps you’d like to consider a point spread bet. For this, sports fans get to wager on the points difference of a team’s win or loss. Similarly to a moneyline, the plus and minus symbols are used to distinguish the underdog and the favorite, alongside the amount by which they can lose for you to still win the bet. This type of bet will look like +2/-1.5.

Let’s take the Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors as an example. If the Boston Celtics are the favorites, you’ll see a minus sign against their name. Perhaps it reads as Celtics -2 and the Warriors +4. This means you can still win your bet even if you don’t accurately guess the score, as long as the Celtics or the Warriors keep within those spread margins. 

Prop Bets

When you’re looking through the betting options on your preferred Connecticut online sportsbook and fancy something a little different, you may enjoy the potential that comes with a prop bet. Short for proposition bets, these vary from sport to sport due to the fact they typically don’t relate to the outcome of the event. With a prop bet, you may end up betting on what color Gatorade teams have during the Super Bowl, or even on the coin toss at the start of a match. It’s more of an entertainment bet, and can cover pretty much any eventuality throughout a game.

Parlays

Parlay bets are those that require a sequence of bets to come good, and they can be as elaborate — and therefore high risk — as you’d like to make them. 

Let’s look at an example of a three-leg parlay: 

• You favor the New York Giants to beat the Washington Commanders.
• In addition to that, you’re backing the Celtics to beat the Warriors in the NBA.
• Finally, you think the White Sox will beat the Jays. 

In order to win your parlay bet, you need all three of these results to end up correct, as per your prediction. Many players love making complex parlays as there’s the potential for a huge win from a smaller stake, and they’re a fun way of combining all the sports and particular matches you’re interested in.

Daily Fantasy Sports

Daily Fantasy Sports are legal to bet on in the state of Connecticut. At present, it’s only possible to bet on DFS through DraftKings, as FanDuel has confirmed that its DFS contests will not return as a Connecticut sports betting option until we’re closer to the NFL season. The team behind FanDuel suggest this change in direction is due to alterations in state law, however these changes are something the Department for Consumer Protections refutes. 

Nevertheless, online sportsbook and casino offers are still available via FanDuel, — but if it’s DFS you want to participate in, you’ll need to access this through DraftKings.

Can I Bet on Mobile in Connecticut?

Mobile betting is the perfect solution for when you’re out and about and want to keep an eye on betting odds, or perhaps you’re watching the match with friends and want to place a bet. All of the best Connecticut sports betting sites offer great mobile capabilities, and it’s something to consider when narrowing down which sportsbook to sign up to.

Aside from the ability to place wagers on the go, there are a number of other benefits to mobile sports betting. For example:

• You have instant access to the most accurate market odds.
• You can manage your account in just a few taps from your home screen.
• There are often mobile specific bonuses and offers.

Connecticut Sports Betting Apps

Wanting to take the ease of betting one step further? Downloading a sportsbook app could be the answer, with more benefits and customizable options available on your phone. The majority of the top CT mobile betting sites offer a well-tuned app, meaning you no longer have to search for a site online via your mobile, and can access betting markets at the touch of a button. 

Mobile app benefits include:

• Quick loading times as the content is designed for mobile use.
• Push notifications that alert you to the latest deals and offers.
• All your information is securely stored meaning no need to repeatedly log in.
• An easy-to-use format that’s perfectly created for mobile-sized screens.
• Access to mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

There are three CT mobile betting apps for you to choose from — DraftKings, FanDuel, and SugarHouse.

Connecticut sports betting revenue

In March, the state of Connecticut reached an agreement with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and Mohegan Tribe for sports betting and online casino gaming. Connecticut legalized online and land-based sports betting in May 2021 after Governor Ned Lamont signed HB 6451 into law. Retail sports betting went live on 30 September 2021, followed by online betting on 19 October 2021.

The state’s two gaming tribes and the state lottery have each partnered with one online sports betting operator. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe is partnered with DraftKings, the Mohegan Tribe is partnered with FanDuel and the Connecticut Lottery has teamed up with Rush Street Interactive.

In Connecticut, sports betting revenue is subject to a tax rate of 13.75%.

Complete state reports can be accessed via the Department of Consumer Protection portal

Last updated – October 2022

What else can I bet on in Connecticut?

At a first glance, the state of Connecticut appears to offer a very small variety of gambling options, but when you look closer, it is clear that the state prioritizes quality over quantity. Although the state only has two tribal casinos conducting operations, these are two of the biggest casino names in the country, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun. These two venues offer a variety of games including:

•    Slots
•    Poker
•    Blackjack
•    Craps
•    Roulette
•    Baccarat
•    Sic Bo
•    Bingo

The state-run Connecticut Lottery also offers residents a variety of games that can be played to win real cash prizes. The state also permits charitable gambling activities such as
raffles and bingo games.

Online gambling is partially legal in Connecticut. Residents can place online wagers on horse racing events on TwinSpires.com and BetAmerica.com. These two sites are available in almost every US state that permits betting on horse racing. As an alternative to sports betting, residents can also play real money fantasy sports games online with either FanDuel or DraftKings.

According to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP): “The State of Connecticut and the Department of Consumer Protection do not authorize, license, permit, or
regulate in any manner any Internet gambling in any form. Under General Statutes of Connecticut Section 53-278a any gambling activity in Connecticut is illegal unless specifically
authorized by law. Neither the state legislature nor any state agency has approved any form of gambling on the Internet, including the purchasing of raffle tickets. Even if a gambling website is legal in another jurisdiction, such as a foreign country or another state, it is illegal to use that site to gamble from within Connecticut.”

It is worth mentioning that Section 53-278a is only the state’s definition of gambling. The law was not initially written to cover online gambling sites but the DCP says it falls under the same category.

The state has made attempts to expand its online gambling offerings in the past. In 2017 lawmakers attempted to introduce legislation that would allow the Connecticut Lottery to sell tickets online. The bill was unsuccessful and was dismissed the same year it was introduced.

As an alternative to online gambling, residents can play social casino games online. Both Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun offer social casino platforms on their websites. The Mohegan Sun platform is a part of the Play4Fun network. You can also find the usual social casino platforms such as Slotomania, Zynga, Double Down Casino, and Big Fish in Connecticut.

Are offshore gambling sites legal in Connecticut?

No. Connecticut residents may not turn to offshore gambling sites to place their wagers online, as these are illegal in the state. But, aside from legality, we’d recommend steering clear of offshore gambling and sports betting sites because of the lack of regulation. This means they may not be secure or may not have measures in place to protect vulnerable players. You also have no way of knowing who is handling the money you deposit into these online accounts.

You can spot offshore gambling sites by looking at the website’s domain name. If you see a domain that ends in .EU or .AG it does not hold a license to operate in Connecticut
and therefore should be avoided at all costs.

Is it safe to bet on sports in Connecticut?

Connecticut has strict gambling laws, meaning that sports betting is safe in Connecticut. However, it’s also up to bettors to gamble responsibly so that betting remains fun and safe.  If you’re worried that you, or someone you know, may be suffering from problem gambling, the National Council on Problem Gambling has a number of resources available. The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling also has various resources for people who may be suffering from a gambling problem.

You can contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline via:

Phone: +1-800-522-4700

Text: +1-800-522-4700

Online Chat

You can contact the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling via:

Phone: +1-959-230-4034

Helpline: +1-888-789-777

Online chat

Email: online form

Tips for Responsible Gambling

There are various ways you can keep yourself safe when sports betting in Connecticut.

Here are a few tips we recommend keeping in mind:

• Never keep your gambling a secret;
• Set financial limits and be sure to stick to them;
• Never chase a loss, it can rarely be won back and is likely to make matters worse;
• Set a time limit on your gambling;
• Never gamble under the influence of alcohol, nor when feeling depressed or upset about something;
• Don’t use gambling as a way of making money.

Who regulates gambling in Connecticut?

Gambling in the state of Connecticut is overseen by the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP). The DCP will also be responsible for overseeing the implementation of sports betting regulations in the future.

How old do I have to be to gamble in Connecticut?

To gamble in a casino, residents must be aged 21 and over, and to place pari-mutuel wagers, residents must be at least 18 years old.

The journey to legal and regulated sports betting in Connecticut

1971 – Horse racing, off-track betting, and the state lottery were legalized. Shortly after the legalization of horse racing a horse racing track called Connecticut Park was proposed for construction in the state. However, the track did not receive state approval and was never
Built.

1972 – Dog racing and jai alai were legalized. The same year, the state lottery began selling
tickets.

1976 – The state’s first off-track betting parlors opened for business. The same year two jai alai
venues opened for business in the state with one in Bridgeport and one in Hartford. Plainfield Greyhound Park opened for business in 1976.

1977 – Another jai alai venue opened for business, this time in the Milford area.

1983 – The Connecticut Lottery begins

1986 – Foxwoods opens its doors. The establishment was initially opened as a bingo room for small-scale gambling after the courts ruled that state bingo laws did not apply to venues
on sovereign land.

1992 – Congress passed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) prohibiting sports betting across US states. Four states were made exempt from the law: Nevada, Delaware, Oregon, and Montana. These states had legal sports betting regulations
in place.

1993 – Foxwoods added slot machines to its venue, offering a new way for residents and visitors to Gamble.

1995 – The jai alai venues in Hartford and Bridgeport closed and ceased operations.

1996 – Shoreline Star Greyhound Park opened for business at the former Jai alai venue in Bridgeport.

1996 – The state’s second tribal casino, Mohegan Sun, opened its doors for business. Both Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods would go on to become two of the biggest names in the casino
world.

2005 – Both of the state dog racing venues were closed down due to concerns over animal safety.

2008 – Thanks to a partnership between MGM and Foxwoods, a second tower was built at the Foxwoods venue and was opened as the MGM Grand. After the partnership ended in 2013, the tower was rebranded as the Fox Tower.

2017 – State lawmakers introduced and passed bill 6948, a bill that would allow the DCP to craft a regulatory framework for sports betting operations in Connecticut depending on the ruling of the Supreme Court case between New Jersey and the professional sports leagues. State lawmakers attempted to expand online gambling offerings by introducing a bill that would allow the Connecticut Lottery to sell tickets online. This bill was unsuccessful and failed shortly after it was introduced.

2018 – On 14 May, the Court reached a decision. In a 7 – 2 vote it was agreed that one of the clauses in PASPA violated the Tenth Amendment, as its commandeered power from states to regulate their own gambling industries. This paved the way for all US states to decide whether or not to legalize sports betting. In the weeks after the repeal of PASPA a number of US sportsbooks launched across the country.

2019 – An attempt to legalize sports betting was made but it failed to make significant progress.

2020 – In March Governor Ned Lamont voiced his support for sports betting by calling for a sports betting agreement between the state and tribes. At the time, two sports betting bills were being actively considered by the legislature but they both failed to progress.

2021 – In January, lawmakers filed a bill that would allow the state’s two tribal groups to offer online betting and online casino games. The bill, SB 146, marked the latest attempt to expand Connecticut’s online gambling market.

Then in February, Governo Ned Lamont included a forecast for sports betting and online casino gambling in his 2021 budget proposal. At the same time, Lamont filed a bill that would expand the tribal compacts with the Mashantucket Pequot and the Mohegan tribes to include online casinos and sports betting.

The bill Lamont introduced would go on to become HB 6451.

In March, Lamont agreed on new amendments to the existing compact agreements with the Mashantucket Pequot and the Mohegan tribes to include sports betting and online casinos

In May, the Connecticut Lottery kicked off an RFP to find an online sports betting partner. This provided an opportunity for one more sports betting business to enter the state. Later on, in May, the Senate passed HB6451 and if approved it would formally allow Lamont to renegotiate the existing tribal compacts.

Lamont signed the bill into law on 27 May, paving the way for online gambling in the state of Connecticut. However, before the revised compacts can come into effect, they must first be approved by the US Department of the Interior.

In June, the bidding period for the Connecticut Lottery’s online sports betting partner closed, leaving the Lottery to choose a suitable sportsbook operator to partner with.

Sports betting and online casino gambling are expected to launch in Connecticut in the coming months.

For more updates on online sports betting in Connecticut be sure to check back with Compare.bet US.