Sports Betting Review
Unlike New Jersey, Connecticut sports betting is restricted. Connecticut residents are limited to betting at a handful of licensed sportsbooks. Connecticut sports betting sites offer legal sports betting for most professional and college sports. These sportsbooks allow Connecticut residents to bet on the New England Patriots, the Hartford Whalers, and the Boston Celtics, among others. This state is not home to an MLB franchise, but the Hartford Yard Goats are a minor league team that plays in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In addition to sports betting, Connecticut residents can enjoy casinos and other gambling options.
The state of Connecticut is home to two of the most influential tribes in the country. The Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes manage the state’s gambling industry, which contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the state’s economy. Connecticut lawmakers have had to work for years to bring sports betting to the state. In 2019, legislators failed to include sports betting in their fall legislative session. The state lottery was also unwilling to offer sports betting, leaving Connecticut with no choice but to wait for a sports betting bill to pass. Governor Ned Lamont signed a sports betting bill into law in May 2021. The legislation authorized two tribes to provide sports betting in Connecticut.
Sports betting in Connecticut is regulated by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. This agency oversees all gambling in the state. The lottery operates up to 15 retail sports betting locations. In June, Connecticut passed the $1 billion handle mark. This total yielded $7.3 million in taxes for the state’s coffers.
Connecticut Sports Betting Review
The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe had long fought sports betting in Connecticut. The tribe threatened to withhold slot revenue from the state if lawmakers allowed sports betting. They also argued that the state’s lawmakers should not have exclusive rights to sports betting. However, legislators refused to grant the tribes exclusive rights. Eventually, the Mashantucket Pequot and the Mohegan tribe reached an agreement with the state.
Governor Lamont announced in April 2021 that he would sign the sports betting bill into law. He also announced plans to expand the compacts between the tribes and the state. These agreements would give the tribes a greater share of sports betting revenue in Connecticut. In addition, the tribes would be allowed to offer online sports betting. This would give Connecticut sports fans a wider variety of betting options.
Although Connecticut sports betting is not completely legal, the state has been a leading contender as a sports betting destination. The state has two casinos, which offer retail betting. In addition, the Connecticut Sun women’s basketball team has a great record in WNBA competitions. Connecticut residents have enjoyed casual bets among friends, but it is not likely to continue to grow into a full-fledged sports betting market. In addition to sports betting, Connecticut residents have access to hundreds of casino games. Connecticut residents can also enjoy retail and lottery betting at Foxwoods Resort and Casino and Mohegan Sun.