Connecticut sportsbooks are aiming for launch on Oct. 7.
The Department of Consumer Protection confirmed the launch date for Connecticut sports betting to LSR Friday. Gov. Ned Lamont‘s chief of staff told local news stations of the launch date Thursday.
The Federal Register published the updated compact between the state and the Mohegan Indians earlier this week. The US Department of the Interior approved both the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot Indians compacts earlier this month.
Which sportsbook apps will be in Connecticut
There will be three online sportsbooks in Connecticut:
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- PlaySugarhouse Sportsbook from Rush Street Interactive
DraftKings partnered with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. FanDuel partnered with the Mohegan Tribe. Both can offer online sports betting and online casino.
The Mohegan were noncommital on a launch date in an email to LSR Thursday:
“The publication of the approval of the compact amendments in the Federal Register yesterday was a very important and necessary step needed to offer sports wagering in the state,” Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment President and CEO Ray Pineault said in a statement.
“We continue to work very closely with our partners and the state to make sure we roll out sports wagering and iGaming in an appropriate manner that is in the best interest of the Mohegan Tribe, our organization, the State of Connecticut and its residents as well as our guests. We are also confident we will have an announcement when these new offerings will be available to our guests very shortly, but are not prepared to provide a definitive date today.”
Connecticut Lottery options
Rush Street Interactive, which is partnered with the Connecticut Lottery, will only offer sports betting. The brand will be PlaySugarhouse.
The lottery can operate up to 15 retail sportsbooks, including venues in Bridgeport and Hartford.
Rush Street beat four other proposals to earn the lottery relationship.
Quick process in Connecticut
The state and the two tribes updated their compacts in March. Two months later, Connecticut legislators passed sports betting and online gambling legislation, which Lamont signed May 27.
A legislative committee approved emergency regulations in August.
The compacts’ federal approval this month opened the road for October’s launch, which will help capture some of the valuable football betting season.
Growing number of legal states
Connecticut will be the 27th state to launch legal sports betting in the US.
This month, four states kicked off sports betting:
Louisiana sportsbooks and Maryland sportsbooks also could open this year. Florida sports betting is moving toward its Oct. 15 launch date, however that could be in jeopardy.
