Connecticut Online Gambling: Quick Facts
- Legal Connecticut online gambling options: None
- Legal gambling age: 21
- Who regulates Connecticut online gambling? N/A
- Legal mobile gambling? No
- Do I need to be physically located in Connecticut to gamble online? N/A
- Do I need to be a resident of Connecticut to gamble online? N/A
- Sports avalable to bet on: Horse racing at racetracks only.
- What can't I bet on? Online sports, casino or poker.
A Brief History of Connecticut Online Gambling
Connecticut online gambling might not be legal right now, but it could well be on the way. The first state to legalize online casino gaming was Delaware in 2012. Nevada followed DE in the legalization of online gambling, but it has not gained much traction relative to mobile sports betting.
The reason sports betting was not available in 46 states before 2018 was because of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. This law was passed in 1992, and a portion of it outlawed sports betting in the United States.
There were four states that could offer some form of sports betting because they were grandfathered into the bill. New Jersey wanted to legalize online sports betting in 2009. They had multiple attempts derailed by the NCAA and the professional sports leagues in the United States.
New Jersey engaged in a legal battle that spanned close to a decade. In 2018, the Supreme Court heard New Jersey’s claim that all states should be able to legalize online sports betting. The court ruled in favor of NJ by a 6-3 decision. This decision gave all states the ability to enact sports betting in their respective territories.
The Way Ahead
Connecticut has been trying to legalize online gambling for a significant period, but the COVID-19 pandemic pushed Governor Ned Lamont to make it a reality in the state.
Sports betting and iGaming have not been passed yet, but Lamont included the potential revenue in the two-year budget. He has also created a deal with the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot Tribes, who operate the state’s two casinos.
The deal between Lamont and the tribal nations was the biggest hurdle in Connecticut sports betting. It should not be as difficult for the legislature to pass sports betting because the governor and the tribes want it included in the state’s gaming economy.
The Mohegan Tribe, Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, and the Connecticut Lottery would all be able to offer online skins. The lottery could also open 15 retail sportsbooks in the state.
Connecticut Online Gambling: The Current Law
Online gambling is not legal in Connecticut at this time. The updated tribal compacts need to be approved at the federal level, and the state legislature must pass a formal gambling bill. Here are some of the potential rules that will be included in the online gambling law:
- The Mashantucket Pequot, Mohegan, and Connecticut Lottery will all get to operate online betting skins.
- It is likely that sports betting revenue will be taxed at 13.75%.
- The CT Lottery can operate up to 15 retail sportsbooks, but they must open two in Hartford and Bridgeport.
- The agreement is for ten years, with a five-year extension.
- iGaming will be taxed at 18% or 20%. Some debates are occurring with online casino gaming’s framework.
Legal Online Sportsbooks
One sportsbook has already been given the right to enter the state when sports betting is legalized. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe has partnered with DraftKings Sportsbook, which is one of the top books in the legal United States betting market.
DraftKings is famous for offering great bonuses and recurring promotions throughout the year. The book will match your initial deposit up to $1,050. No other legal sportsbooks can contend with this bonus.
Many books provide new bettors with risk-free bets, which is not an actual bonus, in my opinion. DraftKings does not cheat you out of winning. The platform helps you win with a multitude of promotional opportunities.
On DraftKings, you will also get many betting markets. DraftKings focuses on American sports, but the book does not neglect European markets as well. You will find a substantial number of props for the four major American sports leagues.
Sports Betting in Connecticut
The one professional sports team that competes in the state is the Connecticut Sun, a WNBA franchise that plays at Mohegan Sun Arena. The lack of teams does not mean that there are not a lot of sports fans in the state. Connecticut has fans that favor New York teams as well as the Massachusetts franchises.
The NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA are the four professional sports leagues that Connecticut people watch closely. Connecticut has one major collegiate sports team that is widely known throughout the United States.
The University of Connecticut has multiple significant division I programs. The men’s and women’s basketball teams have both won numerous National Championships. UConn football has also been good in the past, but they are currently in a rebuilding phase.
Some of the bets that you will be able to make in Connecticut when online gambling is legalized are as folows:
Moneyline
This is a straightforward bet. The moneyline is when you be a team to win. The only thing that matters at the end of a game is that the team you picked has the lead. Positive odds indicate an underdog, and negative odds mean a team is favored.
Points Spread
The point spread is the great equalizer. It allows you to pick an underdog to be within a certain number of points. You can also pick a favorite to win by a specific spread. If a team is -6.5, they must win by seven points if you place this bet.
Totals (Over/Under)
The total is when you place a bet on the number of points scored in a contest. A sportsbook will give you a specific number of points, and you must choose if the combined score will go over or under this total.
Prop Bets
Prop bets usually deal with player or team statistics which make them tougher to win. A prop bet example would be, “Boston Red Sox: Over/Under 2.5 home runs.”
Future Bets
Future bets are when you place a wager for something happening in the coming months or years. For example, if you wager the New York Yankees to win the World Series in the regular season, this is the example of a future bet.
Parlay Bets
Parlay bets are when you combine a group of wagers to lower your odds of winning. Low odds create a higher payout, but all the legs of a parlay wager must be successful for you to win.
Legal Online Casinos
No online casinos are currently operating in Connecticut. iGaming is part of the current bills being negotiated in the state legislature. It is likely that online casino gambling should be enacted in the next couple of years.
Until that time, people will only have the ability to play casino games at landlocked properties in the state.
There are two casinos in Connecticut: Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods. The Mohegan Tribe operates Mohegan Sun, and the Mashantucket Pequot Indians run Foxwoods. These properties will be able to launch online casinos in Connecticut.
Legal Online Poker in Connecticut
Legal online poker is nonexistent in Connecticut. If people want to play poker in Connecticut, they must do so at Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun inside card rooms.
How to Set Up a Connecticut Online Gambling Account
It’s unknown what the registration process is going to be for online gambling accounts in Connecticut. Most likely, you will be able to sign up from your mobile device. If this is the case, download a legal sportsbook app and fill in the required registration information.
That done, you will then be asked to enter your legal name, address, date of birth, and social security number. All this information will be secure, but you should utilize a strong password. By entering an unbreakable password, nobody will be able to hack into your account.
Symbols, letters, and numbers are critical for strong passwords. Do not make it too hard to remember, but it must be tough to hack.
Connecticut Banking Methods
The possible banking options in Connecticut are credit/debit card, PayPal, Neteller, PayNearMe, Prepaid + Card, and so much more. Retail sportsbooks will accept cash, but you will have more options online.
No matter what banking method that you use, your information will be protected. It’s very safe to make deposits in other states where online gambling is legalized. The situation will be identical in Connecticut.
Withdraws will be simple as well. All you will have to do in Connecticut is click a button on a legal sportsbook app, and you will receive your funds.
The Future of Online Gambling in Connecticut
The future of online gambling in Connecticut is bright. Governor Ned Lamont has formed an updated compact with the tribes in the state. He has also included online gambling tax revenue in the two-year budget.
Two more steps need to be accomplished before online gambling becomes a reality in Connecticut. The tribal compacts need to be approved on the federal level, and the state legislature needs to pass an online gambling bill.
If these two things do not happen, online gambling will not be able to launch.
