It’s official: CT sports betting will have the two biggest US sportsbooks after FanDuel Sportsbook confirmed its partnership with Mohegan.
FanDuel Sportsbook will supply retail and online sports betting in Connecticut through Mohegan’s license. It will also power Mohegan’s iGaming operation in the state. DraftKings Sportsbook will operate under the Mashantucket Pequots license. The third and final skin, to partner with the Connecticut Lottery, still has not been announced.
The announcement comes about a week after Kambi announced it would not supply sports betting to Mohegan. The two sides amended a 2019 agreement that still sees Kambi getting its projected revenue from the partnership for five years.
FanDuel partnering with Mohegan was not exactly a secret following the Kambi announcement. The sportsbook also secured its daily fantasy sports license through Mohegan last week.
FanDuel has ‘incredible plans’ for CT sports betting
A temporary FanDuel Sportsbook will open this September at Mohegan Sun. A full sportsbook should open this winter and could be the largest FanDuel Sportsbook in the US, according to Amy Howe, FanDuel Group president:
“Mohegan Sun is an iconic casino and entertainment destination in the Northeast, and we are excited to announce our first tribal gaming partnership with one of the leading tribal operators in the United State. We have some incredible plans for the retail space at Mohegan Sun, with the potential to be the largest FanDuel Sportsbook in the United States. When we combine the retail sports betting experience with the opportunity for online sports betting and iGaming, Connecticut is going to be a key state for us as we look towards the start of football season.”
Mohegan Gaming CEO Ray Pineault sounded like Mohegan wanted a partner with a bit of recognition and branding power on a conference call in May. It’s clear he thinks that is exactly what Mohegan got in FanDuel:
“We’re excited to work with FanDuel, one of the leading sports-tech entertainment companies in the U.S. to bring the brand’s innovative sports betting and iGaming solutions to Mohegan Sun Connecticut. Our partnership is a priority for Mohegan Digital, as we look to grow and enhance our casino, sportsbook and online operations in Connecticut – and beyond. We’re confident that FanDuel will deliver a best-in-class digital and in-person experience for our loyal guests.”
Who will join DraftKings & FanDuel?
The third and final skin announcement for the CT sports betting market could come any day Connecticut Lottery. There were five bidders for the skin, though one may have been FanDuel.
BetMGM now seems like the likeliest candidate for the final sports betting skin in Connecticut. The partner will be announced after contracts are signed.
The joint venture between MGM Resorts and Entain gives MGM a path into Connecticut to better promote its MGM Springfield. The casino, which opened in 2018, sits just minutes away from the northern Connecticut border in Massachusetts.
