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Connecticut might’ve nailed their sports betting market just perfectly. They have the perfect balance of online betting options, as well as in-person ones. A healthy amount of competition too. And it just works well, unlike many of its Northeastern counterparts which adopted single-operator models.
Allow us to explain how Connecticut has crafted its sports betting system to near perfection (for a state of its small size, at least). In the next few minutes, we’ll explore how the state’s setup works, what options are available to you, and how you can make the most of your betting experience inside of the state.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Connecticut?
Yes, sports betting has been legal in Connecticut since 2021. Connecticut has found a way to please its two masters — the lottery system and tribal-run casinos. In the majority of states, one usually has a complete monopoly on the industry. Not here though as Connecticut has threaded the needle to include both.
For starters, there are two tribal casinos — Foxwood Resorts and Mohegan Sun. They have licenses for sports gambling, but instead of building their own platform, each chose to partner with an operator. DraftKings and Foxwood partnered, while FanDuel is with Mohegan.
Additionally, the Connecticut Lottery has its own license. Originally, it was serviced by PlaySugarHouse, but that deal fell through in 2023. Replacing them as the lottery’s only partner is Fanatics.
All this gives Connecticut three operators — perfect for a state with a population under four million. These operators can take bets online from anywhere. Of course, the casinos have physical sportsbooks with DraftKings and FanDuel. We’re telling you, this is the perfect outcome for Connecticut given the variables at play.
International Online Sportsbooks Available In Connecticut
Connecticut has embraced legal sports betting, but bettors should note that there are still certain restrictions in place. While you can wager on a variety of sports, Connecticut's state-regulated sportsbooks are not permitted to accept bets on political events, and there are limitations on wagering involving in-state college teams, such as the University of Connecticut. These regulations can limit your betting options, especially if you’re interested in local teams or unique events.
International sportsbooks offer a solution to these restrictions. By utilizing offshore platforms, you can place bets on political outcomes, enjoy a full range of college sports without the same limitations, and access a variety of niche markets that Connecticut’s legal sportsbooks don’t provide. If you want to bet on local college games or political events, international sportsbooks can give you the flexibility you’re looking for.
Concerns about security and reliability are valid, but the international sportsbooks we recommend have been rigorously tested to ensure they meet high standards. Our team has used these platforms for years, confirming their commitment to fast payouts, secure transactions, and excellent customer service. By choosing these trusted offshore operators, you can expand your betting options while feeling confident that your funds and personal information are well protected.
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Legal Online Sportsbooks Available In Connecticut
As mentioned, only three operators control the Connecticut market — and it’s three of the market leaders at that. Here they are again:
| Name of Bookie | Available? |
|---|---|
| DraftKings | ✅ Available |
| FanDuel | ✅ Available |
| Fanatics | ✅ Available |
Connecticut Online Sportsbook Comparison
Instead of saying one sportsbook is “the best”, we’re just going to recommend all three, but for different reasons. You as a bettor can decide which line of reasoning matters the most to you:
Best sportsbook for bonuses: This one’s tough because operators constantly switch up their promotions. Who’s giving out better deals one half of the year isn’t necessarily the same as who’s dishing better the second half of the year. However, we do see a little more consistency from Fanatics. They have to make up more ground against the other bookies and tend to be more aggressive with promos — to the bettor’s benefit, of course.
Best sportsbook for betting options: FanDuel gets the nod here on the back of its tendency to boost odds. Technically, this is a promotion but it influences the betting options. With a boost, bettors will get more friendly prices on wagers. That ends up becoming more bang for your buck, which is an underrated part of successful betting. Protecting value is almost as important as picking winners.
Best sportsbook for live betting: DraftKings excels at in-play. Part of the success is due to the use of AI to update live odds strikingly close to the real-time game. There’s a slight broadcast delay (not DraftKings fault), and that’s about it. Either way, bettors stay as close to the action as humanely possible when live betting here. When every second counts, which it does with in-play betting, this speed can’t be discounted.
Best sportsbook for rewards: Fanatics Rewards is more unique than the others. This is because they don’t just offer free bets inside the app. Although we like free play, we also like real-life goodies. Well, with the Fantastic Rewards, points can be traded for officially-licensed team gear from their store. This unique perk sets Fanatics apart from other platforms that typically only offer digital rewards.
Best sportsbook for user experience: We’re going with Caesars here for this reason: the ability to stream NFL games right from the app — for free! That’s right, free! Caesars live streams local-market games and primetime matchups right inside the app. When we say free, we mean free as there’s no cable to streaming credentials needed. A feature like this is next level for football bettors.
Connecticut Quick Facts
| Fact | Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Launch date: | 2021 |
| Legal age: | 21 Years Old |
| Online sports betting | ✅ Yes |
| Number of licenses | 3 |
| Remote registration | ✅ Yes |
| Retail sportsbooks | ✅ Yes |
| Retail casinos | ✅ Yes |
| Online casino sites | ❌No |
| Online poker | ❌No |
| Betting on college sports | ✅ Yes |
| Betting on esports | ✅ Yes |
| State population | 4 million |
| State regulator | The Department of Consumer Protection |
| Last verified | ✅ September 12 |
What You Can’t Bet On In Connecticut
While most things are bet-able across Connecticut, there are a few no-no’s. Here’s what bettors will be prohibited from doing:
Local college sports: Connecticut regulation says there will be no betting on in-state college teams unless they are participating in a tournament (March Madness qualifies for this). So you can’t bet on schools like UConn or Yale in regular-season play. However, betting on out-of-state college teams is allowed without worry.
Non-sporting events: There will be no money wagered on who’s winning the presidency, award show category, or even WWE. Connecticut only regulates “real” sports, and these don’t count as that.
Want to bet these prohibited markets in Connecticut? Theres only one place to do so — offshore sportsbooks. These work perfectly fine in-state and because they’re offshore, don’t have to abide by state or U.S. rules. Using offshore sites makes for a more free betting experience.
Who Can Legally Bet in Connecticut?
Besides those few things we just mentioned, most everything else is on the table in Connecticut. Here’s what’s allowed just fine:
Legal age: To legally bet on sports in Connecticut, you must be 21 years old. This is the norm at most states.
Mobile betting: Yes, Connecticut allows mobile betting through licensed platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics. You can place bets from anywhere within state lines.
Remote registration: The registration process is entirely online so you can sign up for a sportsbook account without visiting a physical location. It takes a max of five minutes to get started with any of the three operators.
Taxable winnings: Money made from gambling is taxed like regular income. Both the state or Connecticut and the U.S. federal government want their grimy hands on it. So be ready to report winnings when filing taxes.
Latest Connecticut Betting News
Connecticut Sportsbooks & Casinos
To reiterate, two casinos control all betting in the state — that goes for casino and sports betting. Here's a quick look at the two again:
First up, Mohegan Sun is one of the most popular and largest casinos in North America, with over 364,000 square feet of gambling space, more than 5,500 casino slot games, 377 table games, and 42 poker tables. The Mohegan Sun partners with FanDuel to offer sports wagering.
The Foxwoods Resort Casino is by far the largest resort casino in the state, and together with the MGM Grand at Foxwoods, is the largest casino in North America. With three casinos, 3,400 slot machines and more than 250 table games, there is something for everyone at Foxwoods. There is also an 18 round golf course on site. DraftKings is here.
The state does not have any racetracks but you can bet online through Connecticut off-track betting's facilities.
Connecticut Sports Betting Legalization Timeline
Here's a quick recap of how the state got to where it is today with a near-perfect betting set-up:
2017-2020: Bureaucratic Complications
Even before the federal government made it officially legal for stares to open up their sports betting markets, CT had already expressed its desire to get the ball rolling. In 2017, they passed sports betting legalization. In 2018, the Supreme Court knocked down Nevada's monopoly on sports betting.
However, the state had not set up any regulatory mechanism or way of assigning licenses, so it was still essentially not allowed. This would take a surprising amount of time, given the state's seeming willingness.
Throughout 2019 and 2020, the governor and Tribes were working out lots of details regarding taxes and places where different bets would be allowed.
2021: The Dam Finally Breaks
It seems that the budget deficits from the pandemic were enough to really get the governor motivated. Governor Ned Lamont introduced Governor's Bill 3281.
This bill would also be reflected in a similar House bill. They would eventually become law in 2021, and the State Lottery is currently accepting bids from sportsbooks to start licensing as soon as possible.
Latest Connecticut Betting News
Latest Connecticut Legal Betting Updates
Sep 25, 2024 08:42 AM
Connecticut closed out 2023 with a record-high handle of $212 million, contributing to an impressive tax haul for the state, as reported by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, despite bettors facing losses that benefited the sportsbooks.
A Brief Timeline of the Legality of Connecticut Sports Betting
How To Bet On Sports In Connecticut
Connecticut’s sports betting scene offers a wealth of opportunities. All bookies don’t shortcut users either the bets it offers. Still, if you’re like most bettors, the following markets will get your attention most:
How To Bet On Football In Connecticut
Football dominates the Connecticut betting world. September to February is the peak period of betting for any American sportsbook — not just the ones in Connecticut. This is also when you might see the sportsbooks up their bonus offers, all to capitalize on the interest. Bettors will see this the most in February when the Super Bowl takes place. It’s the most bet-on event of the year so that’s when bettors get the red carpet rolled out for them.
How To Bet On Basketball In Connecticut
Basketball betting is absolutely massive in-state and how could it not be when UConn is one of the most-prized college programs of all time and right now (they’ve won multiple times as of late). Speaking of which, March Madness is another event to circle on your calendar like the Super Bowl. The betting and promo opportunities are rich during the three-week tourney so keep your eyes peeled around that time.
How To Bet On Baseball In Connecticut
Baseball offers a steady stream of betting opportunities. With the MLB season stretching over 162 games, there’s something to bet on almost every day for half the year. Whether you’re placing moneyline bets, diving into prop bets, or looking at run lines, baseball’s long season provides plenty of room to “pick your spots.” For those who enjoy the grind, baseball is a sport where deep knowledge and a sharp eye can really pay off.
How To Bet On Fighting In Connecticut
Combat sports are an underrated gem in Connecticut’s betting scene. With UFC and boxing events almost every weekend, bettors can dive into a sport that offers constant surprises. Whether it’s a major title fight or an undercard bout, there’s a lot of value to be found. If you’re savvy enough to dig into the fighters’ backgrounds and styles, you’ll discover that betting on fights can be as strategic as it is thrilling.
Betting on Connecticut Teams
Connecticut doesn’t have a major pro team to call its own, but the state’s sports fans are deeply invested in nearby franchises. Most locals rally behind Boston teams like the Patriots, Celtics, and Red Sox, while some also support New York teams like the Yankees, Giants, or Knicks, given Connecticut’s proximity to both markets. You’ll find no shortage of betting options on these Boston and New York teams, with every sportsbook in the state offering extensive markets for both.
Betting on Connecticut NCAA Teams
When it comes to college sports, Connecticut boasts one of the most well-known programs in the country: the University of Connecticut Huskies. UConn’s basketball programs — both the men’s and women’s teams — are powerhouses in the NCAA, and their presence in March Madness creates a betting frenzy among locals every year. Whether it's during the regular season or the heat of tournament play, UConn consistently draws significant attention from bettors in the state.
Connecticut Betting Revenue Statistics
Connecticut is the middle of a sports betting surge, and the numbers reflect it. Get this, in 2024, it took all of six months for the state to eclipse $1 billion in bets. Want to know how long it took to do the same in 2023? Nine months. At this outstanding pace, the state will more than double last year’s revenues because football season is the peak time for business.
But here’s another startling statistic that came from Connecticut themselves. They found that problem gamblers are responsible for half of all sports betting in the state — despite only accounting for 2% of residents. We have a section dedicated at the very end of this page about problem gambling and it’s an issue not to be glossed over. Make sure to read it cause you could save you your life figuratively.
Other Types of Betting in Connecticut
In addition to sports betting, Connecticut offers several other legal gambling options for those looking to test their luck. As mentioned, the state is home to two major casinos — Mohegan Sun in Uncasville and Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket. These are not your average casinos though. No, they’re some of the largest in the country, offering a wide range of gaming options, including slots, poker, blackjack, and other table games. While it’s not quite the full Las Vegas experience, it’s about as close as you’ll get in New England.
Connecticut also permits betting on horse racing, though the state no longer has active racetracks. However, you can still wager on simulcast races from around the country at both Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods.
Additionally, Connecticut runs a state lottery that includes popular national games like Powerball and Mega Millions, as well as state-specific games like scratch-offs and daily draws. These games are the ultimate low-risk, high-reward bets but hey, we’re not judging!
Sports Betting Rules In Each State
Thinking about placing bets outside of Connecticut? No worries, we've got all the details you need. Pick a state from the list below, and we’ll break down the betting laws and options so you can stay informed no matter where you are.
Responsible Gaming in Connecticut
Before placing any bets, it’s essential to keep responsible gaming in mind. Betting can be a fun and exciting way to engage with sports or games, but it’s important to recognize when the lines blur between entertainment and something more problematic.
The key to responsible gambling is setting clear boundaries for yourself. Always wager with money you can afford to lose, and never dip into funds meant for essentials like rent or bills. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment, especially when you feel the urge to chase losses or “ride the hot hand”, but having a set budget and sticking to it is crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship with gambling.
If gambling begins to affect your mental health, finances, or well-being — whether you’re spending more than intended, feeling anxious, or losing control — it’s time to reassess. Connecticut has several resources available for those who need support:
Connecticut Problem Gambling Helpline
Confidential help is available 24/7 for those struggling with gambling addiction. Call 1-888-789-7777 for assistance.
Gamblers Anonymous Connecticut
A peer-led support group that offers meetings across the state. Visit Gamblers Anonymous for meeting locations and additional resources.
National resources are also out there for the taking:
Gambling Addiction Support Network (https://www.gamblingaddictionsupport.org/)
A non-profit organization providing resources and support for individuals struggling with gambling addiction.
Center for Responsible Gaming (https://www.centerforresponsiblegaming.org/)
The Center for Responsible Gaming (CRG) is a research institution dedicated to promoting safe gambling practices and addressing gambling-related issues.
24/7 Gambling Support Line (https://www.gamblinghelponline.org/24-7-helpline)
A round-the-clock helpline offering immediate assistance and guidance for those experiencing gambling-related problems."
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