The state of Connecticut welcomed the arrival of both US online casinos and sports betting platforms on Tuesday 12th October in what is initially a soft launch period. As of 3pm on Tuesday, FanDuel, Draftkings, and Rush Street Interactive were given the green light to sign up a total of 750 players each, totaling 2,250 across the state. We’ll look into the finer details shortly, but we should start at the start and take a closer look at the history of this launch.
The Backstory To Getting Connecticut Betting Online
The bill was initially submitted by Representative Brian Smith, which saw a strong approval of 28 votes to 6 back on May 25th, 2021. The bill was then signed into law after Governor Ned Lamont’s approval. So, what does this all mean on a top-level view?
Both the Mohegan and Mashantucket tribes are permitted to run one Connecticut sports betting skin, as well as brick-and-mortar betting venues within their casinos. On top of that, fantasy sports and iGaming products are also both included.
The Connecticut Lottery Corporation has also been granted one sports betting skin to operate outside of tribal lands and retail-based betting across 15 locations within the state. The one caveat is that these locations must be at least 25 miles away from any tribal reservation.
All the partnerships for the soft launch are firmly in place, as per the following:
- Fanduel is operating with the Mohegan Tribe (Mohegan Sun)
- DraftKings is online with Mashantucket Pequot (Foxwoods Casino)
- Rush Street Interactive is on board with the Connecticut Lottery Corporation
So, that’s the back story of CT online gambling. Let’s see what all of this means for the people of Connecticut who are looking to place sports wagers and play at the best USA online casino sites.
A Soft Launch For The Select Few
The soft launch comes with strict rules based on opening hours that relax slightly throughout the launch period. The first two days gave those 2,250 players the chance to place sports bets from 3pm to 11pm, which then extended to 12pm to 11:59pm on Thursday and Friday. In terms of iGaming options, only a few games approved by the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) were allowed on the Connecticut online casino side of things, with zero live dealer options available at the moment.
From Saturday, the launch is to be given a full 24-hour cycle through to the 19th of October, which is when the full launch is scheduled. The DCP will be keeping close tabs on all operations throughout this phase. System checks for all operators will be ongoing, and all tax-related paperwork will be subject to investigation. Therefore, the full launch on the 19th of October is based on everything going smoothly throughout the soft launch.
So far, everything seems to be on track.
PlaySugarHouse Ready To Launch
The PlaySugarHouse launch, in partnership with the Connecticut Lottery and Rush Street Interactive, will see the brand go up against FanDuel and DraftKings. It’s a huge coup for all involved, and the partnership has wasted no time finding locations for those 15 retail betting venues. Although these venues are all still subject to regulatory approvals, there should be no stumbling blocks in the way as they aim to get into operation as soon as possible.
Rush Street Interactive had set up a $250 sign-up welcome bonus for all new players, as well as a free bet to those outside of the first 750 people who managed to gain access. One interesting piece of detail about the whole PlaySugarHouse deal is that there may be a brand change on the not-so-distant horizon. The Lottery and Rush Street partnership chose the PlaySugarHouse brand due to the upcoming sports betting legalization back in May. Time was of the essence, and PlaySugarHouse was the one that ticked all the boxes.
Rivals FanDuel and DraftKings have already kickstarted their retail journey. Both the brick-and-mortar betting venues were launched last month at Mohegan Sun Casino and Foxwoods Resort, respectively. The Lottery does have a potential ace up its sleeve, though. There are ongoing negotiations that could see a sportsbook venue appear at Hartford’s XL Center. This would make it one of the first in-house stadium sportsbooks in the US and also one without housing a top-level sports team.
FanDuel & DraftKings Dueling for New England
It doesn’t take a scientist to see that two of the biggest US sportsbooks have lined themselves up for the people of Connecticut. It’s huge for the population of Nutmeg state, with a whole range of platforms to enjoy, courtesy of these two giants of the betting game. But is there a bigger goal for these two brands in securing this Connecticut partnership?
First up, let’s look at FanDuel. The population of 3.6 million residents clearly shows the state’s potential, and partnering with the Mohegan Tribe is an excellent deal. Mohegan Sun is an iconic brand under one of the biggest tribal operators in the US. However, it’s the wider geography and the expanse of New England, which is what both brands are looking at more closely here.
New York has been notoriously slow on expanding its mobile sports betting laws, and Massachusetts is still yet to pin down any firm legalization. This leads us to the battleground between those two states mentioned above. Success in Connecticut will surely line up a perfect strategy to enter those two neighboring states when the time finally arrives.
With this in mind, DraftKings clearly has the most to gain from competing in Connecticut and aiming for that number one sportsbook spot in the US. You’ll find the HQ in Boston, it has New Hampshire lined up for an exclusive state sportsbook, and it is currently enjoying growing success in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Number one spot across New England is in its sight, and Connecticut is one of the final stepping stones to complete that goal.
What Can Connecticut Players Expect?
So, we’ve looked at the details of the soft launch, and we know when the full launch is scheduled for, which is the 19th of October (providing that everything goes smoothly in the soft launch). What can players expect to find when they sign up at any one of these online gambling CT platforms? Let’s look at each of them in more detail and pick out the key features:
DraftKings
DraftKings is one of the go-to options for US sports fans who want an all-inclusive betting experience. Famously known for its daily fantasy sports betting platform, the brand quickly built on that to create a top sports wagering platform as well. You also have the impressive DraftKingz casino entertainment to enjoy. It’s no wonder US sports fans think of DraftKings when they want to place a bet.
Being a top sportsbook means you have the power to offer top deals. Newcomers in Connecticut will be able to find some tempting bonus deals when signing up, and those bonuses keep on coming throughout your membership as well. A top betting app that puts the whole DraftKings experience into the palm of your hand should not be ignored.
Live betting, linked accounts between fantasy and sports betting activity, and a brand you can trust with your money and data. Draftkings moving into Connecticut is a big deal.
FanDuel
FanDuel is right up there with DraftKings as one of the top US sportsbooks. It may not have the same coverage up in New England, but it’s making the right moves to gain traction with the millions of sports fans up there. So, what do you get at FanDuel? A top fantasy betting platform comes as standard, and the brand has spent years refining its sports betting platform.
The result is a seamless betting journey full of live betting, in-depth markets, and a great list of promotions to take advantage of as well. The FanDuel casino platform is also set to be released, making the complete experience on par with DraftKings. The choice you make is up to you, but millions of users on each side show both options are safe.
The FanDuel and Mohegan Tribe partnership is a huge deal and one that many punters will see as the safest option, with both parties bringing a lot of experience and knowledge to the table.
PlaySugarHouse
PlaySugarHouse may be the underdog in this battle for Connecticut sports betting and casino gaming, but it will provide a refreshing experience for many. The sportsbook is only available in one other state, New Jersey, but that has already proven to be a roaring success. The Connecticut Lottery and Rush Interactive partnership will be looking to replicate that success again, and there is every chance of that happening.
The well-designed sportsbook will be a major factor for new customers choosing where to place their sports bets, and the long list of promotions will always generate interest. Many people see this Connecticut battle to be a two-horse race, but PlaySugarHouse will play its part. We may see a surge in sign-ups once it opens up to the general public after the soft launch period.
All eyes will be on that 19th October date, and with everything going to plan, the state of Connecticut will then have plenty of top-rated online betting platforms and CT online casinos to choose from.
References:
IGB, 2021
Gaming Intelligence, 2021
Sports Handle, 2021
iGaming Business, 2021
NBC, 2021
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