Sports betting in Connecticut launched in September of 2021 when retail betting locations opened at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun Casinos. Online sports betting was unveiled less than a month later as Foxwoods partnered with DraftKings and FanDuel partnered with Mohegan Sun. Eventually the Connecticut Lottery teamed up with Fanatics after a short collaboration with PlaySugarHouse. Today, those are the only those three apps still available to online sports bettors in Connecticut.
Choosing a trusted spot to wager can feel confusing, so I will provide you with more information on the three online sportsbook options in Connecticut and how to get started sports betting. I’ll also share details on the state’s path toward legal sports betting, which local teams to wager on, and responsible gambling resources.
Is sports betting legal in connecticut?
Yes, sports betting officially became legal in Connecticut on May 27, 2021 when Governor Ned Lamont signed House Bill 6541. The bill also legalized online sports betting. That same day, Gov. Lamont signed a Tribal Gaming Compact with leaders from the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and the Mohegan Tribe which formalized the terms in which Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun could offer sports betting. It’s worth noting that although you can bet on sports in the state, betting on college teams like UConn or Yale is off limits for now. Some lawmakers are looking to reverse that, however, and this page will be updated if those changes go into effect.
Connecticut quick facts
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Launch Date: September, 2021
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Legal Betting Age: 21 years old
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Online Sports Betting: Yes
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Online Casino Sites: Yes
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Online Poker Sites: Yes
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Regulatory Body: Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection
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Legal online sportsbooks: 3
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College Sports Betting: Yes, but not on in-state teams
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Political or entertainment betting: No
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High School sports Betting: No
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Esports betting: Yes
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NFL Draft: No
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Remote registration: Yes
Timeline of Betting Legislation & Latest News
Connecticut officially legalized sports betting in May of 2021 which was a relief to sports bettors in the Nutmeg state who were driving to Rhode Island and New York so they could legally place wagers. When Rhode Island legalized sports betting in 2018, there were some jealous sports fans in Connecticut. The efforts to legalize sports betting in The Constitution State survived some roadblocks and bumps in the road, but wagering on sports is alive and well.
How to start betting in connecticut
Sports betting in Connecticut is simple thanks to remote registration which allows bettors to register for a sportsbook and deposit money into their account from anywhere including all the great pizza joints in New Haven. If you’re over 21-years-old and inside Connecticut state lines, you can download your favorite sports betting app on a smartphone, deposit money, verify your identity, and begin betting instantly. If you prefer in-person betting, stop by Mohegan Sun (Uncasville) or Foxwoods (Ledyard).
Home Field Advantage
While there is only one true professional sports teams currently in the Constitution State, WNBA's Connecticut Sun, it's not a far drive to check out Boston or New York sports franchises. If you listen closely, though, you can still hear the brass bonanza playing from the old NHL team, the Hartford Whalers.
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NCAA - UConn Huskies: In a state without a major professional sports team since the Hartford Whalers left in 1997, Husky pride is alive and well in the Nutmeg state. UConn’s men’s and women’s teams both made it to the Final Four this past season and they’ve been blessed with two of the better college coaches of the past few decades in current women's coach Geno Auriemma and former men’s coach Jim Calhoun. Unfortunately for legal reasons, fans in Connecticut have to drive to nearby states like Massachusetts or New York to place wagers on the Huskies. For now, Connecticut sports bettors can’t bet on the Huskies or other in-state teams like Yale.
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MLB - Boston Red Sox: With the state situated between New York City and Boston, there’s a joke in Connecticut that babies need to choose at birth if they’re Red Sox fans or Yankees fans. While you may find a stray New York Mets fan from time to time, most baseball fans sit on one side or the other of the heated Red Sox - Yankees rivalry. The Red Sox have nine World Series championships including the recent 2018 campaign, but they’ve only had one postseason appearance (2021) since then.
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MLB - New York Yankees: Yankees fans love to remind people they have 27 World Series titles, but they last won it all in 2009. The Yankees lineup features two of the best hitters in baseball in Juan Soto and Aaron Judge, so keep an eye on home run props for those two sluggers. Over the years, the Bronx Bombers have been popular moneyline bets as they’ve not finished under .500 since 1992.
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NFL - New England Patriots: Connecticut is one of six states to make up the territory known as “New England,” so although the Patriots play their home games to the north in Massachusetts, the Patriots are Connecticut’s NFL team of choice. Thanks to Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, Connecticut has been spoiled to witness Super Bowl titles from the Patriots in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017, and 2019. It’s not a surprise to see a sprinkling of New York Giants or New York Jets fans in Connecticut too.
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WNBA - Connecticut Sun: Connecticut’s WNBA team plays its home games at the Mohegan Sun Arena (Uncasville, CT) inside one of the state’s two massive casinos. The Sun have yet to be crowned WNBA Finals champions, but they made it to the finals in 2004, 2005, 2019, and 2022.
The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling (CCPG) offers a 24/7 helpline (1-888-789-7777) and chat option at the bottom right corner of every page on their website. If someone in Connecticut wishes to voluntarily self exclude, meaning ban themselves from sports betting in the state, they can do so through the state or the state’s individual casinos. The links for all self exclusion options are available on the CCPG website along with several other resources like a contact list for gambling treatment programs funded by the state.