Can You Bet On Sports In Connecticut
Where legal Super Bowl betting is super easy. In this class of jurisdictions, you can find both online and retail sportsbooks.Most of the brick-and-mortar books are at casinos, off-track betting sites, racinos, and sports stadiums.
Sports betting is not yet legal in Connecticut, but it could be in the near future.
Sports betting is not yet legal in Connecticut, but it could be in the near future. In 2017, lawmakers in Connecticut passed a gambling package that did not legalize sports betting in the state, but it did set. Connecticut And Its Path To Sports Betting. Connecticut passed the requisite legislation to bring sports betting to the state in 2017. But the state’s two federally recognized Indian tribes. Connecticut gambling laws make it clear that wagering over the internet is not permitted unless expressly authorized by the state. This leaves CT residents with two options for betting online today: parimutuel. Until this state officially regulates sports betting, there are only a few options available. People here can choose to play at sports betting sites in Connecticut or make their wagers through an illegal bookie on.
In 2017, lawmakers in Connecticut passed a gambling package that did not legalize sports betting in the state, but it did set the stage for the possibility of legalizing it. The package included a provision that charged the state’s Commissioner of Consumer Protection “to regulate wagering on sporting events to the extent permitted by state and federal law.”
Then came May 2018, when a US Supreme Court ruling lifted the federal prohibition against states other than Nevada being able to offer sports betting. Many states quickly jumped in to legalize sports betting, and suddenly Connecticut was in a position to do so as well.
Since the US Supreme Court ruling, both the House and Senate in Connecticut have been considering different sports betting bills, though nothing has passed yet. One topic of debate has been whether to restrict sports betting to the state’s Native American tribes, or to allow commercial establishments to offer sports betting as well. Lawmakers are also weighing whether to allow online sports betting in addition to retail sportsbooks.
Once a bill passes both houses and the governor signs it into law, then the state’s regulators can get to work and ready the state for the launch of sports betting.
Here’s an overview of sports betting in Connecticut, including where it stands at present and what it will likely look like once it finally arrives.
When will sports betting launch in Connecticut?
Shortly after the US Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling, there was hope Connecticut might be among the first wave of states to launch sports betting. However that did not come to pass, and when the legislative session adjourned in May 2020, lawmakers had yet to come together over specific sports betting legislation.
Sports betting certainly has support in the state, with each legislative session having seen multiple hearings on the topic. Various stakeholders, including those representing the tribes, commercial interests, and the professional sports leagues, have given testimony at these hearings in order to help inform legislators.
Some like Gov. Ned Lamont would prefer lawmakers refrain from adding other forms of gambling, specifically online gambling, to any sports betting bills.
Given the time needed to finalize regulations after any sports betting legislation is passed, it is unlikely sports betting will launch in Connecticut until 2021 at the earliest, and perhaps not until 2022.
The background of Connecticut gambling law
Connecticut is like many other states in that it permits certain kinds of gambling though it’s fairly restrictive when it comes to casino gambling.
Betting on horse racingand greyhound racing is legal in the state. That includes off-track betting offered at a variety of brick-and-mortar locations as well as online.
Betting on jai alai is also allowed in the state, as are certain forms of charitable and social gambling. The Connecticut Lottery has also been up and running since the early 1970s, although lottery tickets must be purchased in person at licensed retailers, not online.
Daily fantasy sports is also allowed in Connecticut, with DFS sites like DraftKings, FanDuel and others all serving CT players. In fact, Connecticut is one of the states where DFS has been made explicitly legal after Gov. Dannel Malloy signed a budget bill into law in 2017 that included provisions to license and regulate DFS.
Meanwhile casinos are only allowed on tribal land in Connecticut, and at present there are only two in operation in the state: the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville and the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket.
Tribal gaming in Connecticut
The state’s two casinos both opened in the 1990s. Both are popular not just among Connecticut residents but those traveling from bordering states New York (to the west), Massachusetts (north) and Rhode Island (east).
The Mohegan Tribe operates the Mohegan Sun, a large casino located near the Thames River in Uncasville. The Foxwoods Resort Casino is on the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation reservation near Ledyard, and it is even larger. In fact, Foxwoods isn’t just one casino, but six separate casinos linked together as a sprawling resort.
Both the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods feature Vegas-style casino games. These include blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, keno, poker and thousands of slot machines.
The Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes have been pursuing opening a jointly operated third Connecticut casino in East Windsor. Legislation passed in 2017 authorized the building of a third casino, and in 2019 the tribes received federal approval to do so. However MGM Resorts International, which operates MGM Springfield just over the border in Massachusetts, continues to fight against the tribes’ plans in federal court.
Incidentally, the Mohegan Sun actually has an online casino already, just not in Connecticut. Thanks to a partnership with Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, the Mohegan Sun Online Casino has been operating in New Jersey since 2015.
In any event, any sports betting in Connecticut will necessarily begin with the tribes, given the primacy of the casinos in the state’s current gambling landscape. Indeed, current compacts with the tribes would need to be amended, no matter what type of sports betting Connecticut chooses to introduce.
Where will I be able to make legal sports bets in Connecticut?
It remains to be seen exactly what lawmakers ultimately agree upon when it comes to sports betting in Connecticut.
The bills that have been proposed to this point all include the state’s two tribal casinos as potential operators. Indeed, there is zero chance of any sort of sports betting happening in Connecticut that does not involve the tribes.
Retail sportsbooks in Connecticut
The sports betting law will no doubt provide for sportsbooks to open at both the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods casinos. The law could potentially allow commercial gambling establishments to apply for sports betting licenses as well, including the state lottery and even operators of off-track betting like Sportech.
Online sportsbooks in Connecticut
Lawmakers have proposed sports betting bills that would permit not just land-based sportsbooks but online sportsbooks to operate in Connecticut as well.
Online sportsbooks have thrived in other states. In most cases, online sites have been responsible for the great majority of sports betting revenue. In states where it is legal, online sports betting often accounts for more than 80% of the sports betting revenue. Depending on the legislation, multiple technology providers and operators could be allowed into Connecticut to run online sportsbooks.
Brands seeking access to the Connecticut online sports betting market could potentially include several already established elsewhere in the US, including:
- BetAmerica
What sports can I bet on in Connecticut?
Most states with legal sports betting provide a full array of options for bettors. These include all of the popular American sports, as well as some with followings in Europe and elsewhere.
Typically the following sports are among the ones on which betters can place wagers:
- Australian rules football
- Boxing
- Cricket
- Cycling
- Rugby
- Snooker
Some states such as Nevada include in their regulations the possibility to bet on esports. Others like New Jersey, Indiana and most recently Colorado online sportsbooks also permit the ability to wager on events like the Academy Awards.
It seems unlikely Connecticut will be eager to include these nontraditional options within the menu of wagering opportunities for sports bettors.
Betting on pro sports teams from Connecticut
Connecticut has a WNBA franchise, the Connecticut Sun. In fact, the Sun play their home games at the Mohegan Sun Arena, which might provide the parameters for a logical partnership when sports betting launches in the state.
Connecticut also has a National Lacrosse League franchise, the New England Black Wolves, that also plays home games in Uncasville at the Mohegan Sun Arena. In early 2020 the National Lacrosse League inked a deal with BetMGM to make the operator the official gaming partner for the league, so we may soon start seeing lacrosse turn up more often in online sportsbooks.
Fans of other professional sports teams from nearby states like Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania also live in Connecticut. Many sports fans in Connecticut root for the Boston-area franchises like the New England Patriots (NFL), the Boston Celtics (NBA), the Boston Red Sox (MLB) and the Boston Bruins (NHL).
Betting on college teams from Connecticut
Some states have included within their sports betting laws restrictions against betting on the state’s collegiate sports teams. Those states either prohibit it entirely or don’t allow certain forms of betting on college sports such as in-game betting. However, most states do allow bettors to wager on college sports just as they can professional sports.
When it comes to sports, the Connecticut Huskies — aka UConn — are the most popular Division I school in the state. The school’s men’s and women’s basketball programs in particular are popular, with many national titles between them. UConn is the only Connecticut school with a football program competing in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
The Fairfield Stags, Central Connecticut Blue Devils and Yale Bulldogs also have followings in the state.
Horse and dog races are also legal to bet on in Connecticut
Horse racing has a long history in Connecticut. However, there are no live horse racing tracks in operation in the state at present.
Live greyhound racing began in Connecticut in 1976. The Plainfield Greyhound Park opened that year and quickly became a favorite destination for bettors. However, after the casinos opened in the 1990s its popularity declined, and it closed in 2005.
In 1995 a second dog racing track, the Shoreline Star Greyhound Park, opened in Bridgeport. It enjoyed a period of popularity as well as a place for betting on greyhound races and jai alai simulcasts. But Shoreline also closed in 2006. Thus while betting on dog racing remains legal in Connecticut, there are no live tracks in the state.
Those wishing to bet on either horse racing or greyhound racing are still able to do so in Connecticut via off-track betting (OTB). This type of pari-mutuel betting became legal in 1976. OTB was originally run by the Division of Special Revenue. Then in 1993 it was sold to Autotote Enterprises, which continues to operate OTB in the state.
There are currently 15 OTB parlors scattered throughout the state, all operated by Sportech. Bettors can visit the OTB locations or bet online via Sportech’s MyWinners.com site. The site offers legal betting on thoroughbred, harness and greyhound races as well as on jai-alai.
Popular out-of-state OTB operators like TVG, BetAmerica and TwinSpires also accept customers from Connecticut. They also offer CT bettors the ability to bet on both horse racing and greyhound racing.
What types of sports bets can I make in Connecticut?
There are a wide variety of bet types available to sports bettors, including:
- Moneyline — the classic bet on a team or player to win.
- Spreads — a bet on a game’s outcome that takes into account the point spread; e.g., you bet on UConn, a four-point underdog (+4), and if UConn wins the game or loses it by fewer than four points, you win the bet.
- Totals — an “over/under” bet on the total points scored by both teams in a contest.
- Parlays — a single bet combining two or more bets; you need to be correct on each of the bets to win.
- Teasers — a parlay bet in which the bettor alters or “teases” the totals or spreads for one of the bets.
- Round robin — another parlay bet in which you don’t have to get all of your bets correct, but can still win a partial amount for getting some of them.
- Props — these are bets on outcomes unrelated to the game’s result, such as an individual player’s performance; e.g., an over/under bet on how many rushing yards a player will gain (also called “proposition bets”).
- Futures — a bet on an event or outcome that will be decided at a future date; e.g., a bet on which team will win the Super Bowl at the end of the season.
- In-game betting — also called “live betting,” in-game betting involves betting on outcomes of particular plays or other results as the game is in progress, such as on whether the next play will result in a completed pass; live bets also include making moneyline, spread or totals bets during the game, with the odds adjusted according to where things stand at the moment of the bet.
What is the minimum age for sports betting in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, the minimum age to gamble in a casino is 21 years old. The minimum for playing the state lottery or for off-track betting is 18 years old.
It is likely that 21 will be the minimum for legal sports betting in the state.
How do I deposit money into an online sports betting account?
Online sports betting operators provide a number of ways to deposit funds into an account. Sometimes the laws will identify particular methods as allowed and rule out others. The online sportsbook site will always outline its available banking methods.
Online sportsbooks in the US commonly allow some or all of the following options to deposit:
- Credit or debit cards
- Prepaid cards
- Check or money order
- Bank wire transfer or e-check/ACH
- Payment processors (e.g., PayPal, Skrill, Neteller)
- PayNearMe
- Cash at the casino cage
The cash option usually involves visiting the cashier cage at the casino affiliated with the online sportsbook.
When depositing to an online sportsbook, always be on the lookout for deposit bonuses. Especially when first opening an account and making an initial deposit, most online sportsbooks offer bonuses that are worth claiming. Sometimes you’ll need to enter a bonus code when making the deposit in order to receive the bonus.
Withdrawal options
Online sportsbooks usually offer multiple options for withdrawing funds as well. Often there are fewer withdrawal options available than there are depositing options.
You generally cannot withdraw funds using credit or debit cards, or via other services like PayNearMe. You can, however, often make withdrawals via PayPal and via other payment processors. Receiving a physical check often is an option, although it might take a few days to receive funds.
Sometimes it is possible to withdraw using bank transfers and e-checks, although it depends on the financial institution. Withdrawing cash from the casino cage is always an option as well, for online sportsbooks that partner with casinos.
The best bet is often to find out what withdrawal options are available, then use the same method for depositing. That is often the simplest and fastest banking solution — to use the same method both for depositing and withdrawing.
Who will regulate Connecticut sports betting?
The Gaming Division of the Department of Consumer Protection regulates all legal gambling in Connecticut.
The DCP will be the entity that regulates sports betting whenever it launches in the state. Lawmakers in the state passed a bill in 2017 instructing the Commissioner of Consumer Protection to establish a regulatory structure for sports betting should it be legalized.
Rhode Island sports betting is now available and you have a number of great options. You can try the new Sportsbook site or app or visit one of the two operating Rhode Island sportsbooks that are up and running.
As of September 2019, you are now able to engage in exciting betting options with Rhode Island online sports betting. No matter how you choose to place your wagers, you will find it to be a rewarding and exciting experience. In this guide, you will find all the important information on RI Sports Betting.
RI Sports Betting Online
The Sportsbook Rhode Island has finally launched in the Ocean State, just in time for NFL season. Bettors can now engage in sports wagering via desktop or mobile from anywhere in the state, as long as they physically register at the Twin Rivers Casino first.
Since March 2019, sports betting is now legal in the state of Rhode Island. The governor, Gina Raimondo, passed the Senate Bill 37, legalizing online sports betting. The Rhode Island Lottery regulates sports betting in the state and both of the land-based casinos have the possibility to offer online sports betting without having to apply for a different license.
With Twin River Casino and Tiverton Casino both going online, an array of games as well as Rhode Island online sports betting will be accessible to anyone located in the state that is over the legal gambling age of 21.
Best RI Sports Betting Online Sites
At this time, there is only one legal Rhode Island online sports betting site operating in the state. The Sportsbook Rhode Island site and app provide you with a secure way to access online sites to engage in wagering.
The online and mobile sportsbook is launched by the Twin River Casino, and in-person account activation with valid ID is initially required to be able to use it anywhere else in the state.
Land-based Sportsbook | Partner | Status |
---|---|---|
Twin River Casino and Sportsbook | William Hill US and IGT | Live for desktop / mobile |
Tiverton Casino and Sportsbook | William Hill US and IGT | TBA |
Rhode Island Sports Betting 2021
In 2018, Rhode Island entered the sports betting industry, offering two land-based locations where you can engage in legal and fair sports betting. Here, we take a look at the two operating locations and provide you with some great information that will help you get started and begin enjoying the RI sports betting experience.
At the two licensed Rhode Island sportsbooks, you can easily place bets in person, enjoy the atmosphere and engage in live betting. These two sportsbooks are the only operating locations in the Ocean State that support wagers on sporting events, but you will find they will easily meet all of your needs and provide many betting options, great payouts, and even some rewarding incentives.
Sportsbook | Year Opened |
---|---|
Twin Rivers Casino Sportsbook | 2018 |
Tiverton Casino Sportsbook | 2018 |
Twin River Sportsbook
The Twin River Sportsbook was the first to start operating in the state. This RI sports betting venue attracted the attention of thousands of residents looking to start wagering on leading sporting events. The sportsbook quickly gained popularity and now offers a wide range of betting options.
When this location first started offering Rhode Island sports betting, there were only self-serve kiosks available for placing a bet. Now that the sportsbook has gained a large customer base, it has relocated within the casino to a designated area. Here, you can enjoy 100 televisions, betting agents that will process your bet slip, live betting, updated odds and results, and more.
Twin River Sportsbook | Details |
---|---|
Welcome offer | N/A |
Secondary offer (e.g. games, slots, etc.) | N/A |
Other promos | N/A |
Payment options | Cash, credit and debit cards |
Customer service | Live help at Player Services |
Last verified | 2019 |
Tiverton Sportsbook
The Tiverton sportsbook was the second RI location to open. It started accepting wagers in December of 2018. At this venue, you can enjoy live betting and watch games and results on more than 50 televisions in the sports betting lounge. While the sportsbook is not as large as the one offered at Twin River, it has become the main attraction for those that are seeking to engage in legal sports betting within the state of Rhode Island. Here, you can enjoy a wide range of betting options that start at just $2 per bet and can be as high as $10,000.
At this time, the sportsbook is not offering any type of promotion, but when Rhode Island mobile sports betting or online betting becomes legal, you can surely expect both Tiverton and Twin River to present some amazing bonus deals for the chance to earn free cash to use to place wagers.
Tiverton Sportsbook | Details |
---|---|
Welcome offer | None available |
Secondary offer (e.g. games, slots, etc.) | N/A |
Other promos | N/A |
Payment options | Credit cards, debit cards, cash |
Customer service | Player Support at Service Desk |
Last verified | Feb 9, 2021 |
Legal Status of Sports Betting in Rhode Island
In 2018, the PASPA was brought down, allowing individual states to legalize sports betting. Rhode Island quickly jumped on board, legalizing two sportsbooks at the end of the year. Now, you can engage in various betting activities at two trusted Rhode Island sports betting locations, one in Lincoln and the other in Tiverton.
Both of the Ocean State sportsbooks are operated by William Hill US and IGT. The sports betting industry in the state is regulated by the Rhode Island Lottery and there is a sports betting tax revenue that is split between the state, IGT, and the operating casinos that house the sportsbooks.
Below, you can see the RI sports betting laws that are currently in place.
State and Federal Laws | Details |
---|---|
Senate Bill 37 | Online wagering is authorized in the state as of March 2019 |
Article 4, Section 2 House Bill 7200 | Budget bill signed into law in June of 2018 |
RI General Laws for Video Lottery Games, Table Games, and Sports Betting | Laws govern all betting activities at licensed casinos |
Chapter 20 of RI Lottery Rules and Regulations | Sets all regulations for video lottery operations, table games, and sports betting |
The Wire Act of 1961 | Federal law in place to restrict interstate wagering |
How to sports bet in Rhode Island
If you want to start enjoying the excitement of Rhode Island sports betting, you will have to visit one of the two land-based casinos that feature a sportsbook. Here, you will find every option to place wagers and collect your payouts. You simply have to visit the Twin River or Tiverton casino and head to the sportsbook.
You will then be able to get information on all the scheduled games and betting options. All you have to do is fill out your bet slip and bring it to a kiosk. You will then pay the bet amount and the bet will be placed. After that, watch for game results and check your bet slip to see if you have won any payouts. Any amount won will be paid in cash at the casino.
There are betting options to suit small and large budgets and there is great coverage of sports and types of bets to place.
To engage in any betting action at these casinos, you will have to be at least 18 years of age.
Rhode Island Mobile Sports Betting
Can I Bet Sports Online
Once the two Rhode Island sportsbooks opened in 2018, the state has been pushing for the legalization of Rhode Island mobile sports betting. The Senate Bill 37 that passed this March does extend to mobile sports betting and apps.
The expansion of Rhode Island sports betting is a leading priority for the Senate President, who introduced the bill that would enable an app to be created so that Rhode Island residents could use their mobile devices to place legal sports wagers within the state’s borders.
The Sportsbook Rhode Island is now live and available for desktop and mobile. At this time, Rhode Island is the only state in New England to offer legal sports betting, so the offering of mobile betting platforms can generate even more revenue and will surely put Rhode Island on the map as being a leader in the world of online betting.
Online Sports Betting in Other States:
California |
Delaware |
Maine |
Michigan |
Nevada |
New Hampshire |
New Jersey |
New York |
Pennsylvania |
Tennessee |
West Virginia |
Is Betting on Horse or Greyhound Races Allowed in Rhode Island?
At one time, horse racing and greyhound racing were a huge betting opportunity if you resided in Rhode Island. However, there are no longer any live racing tracks operating in the state. If you do wish to bet on these types of races, you can enjoy simulcast races and bet at the two operating casinos in the Ocean State or RI horse betting online. Here, you can enjoy the action of Rhode Island sports betting and can bet on horse and greyhound races that take place all over the country.
Horse racing was present in the stat for a number of years, starting in 1934 at Narragansett Park. In 1947, Lincoln Park started to offer horse racing, but this came to an end in 1976 when many bettors left to start placing wagers at off-track venues in Connecticut. After horse racing ended at Lincoln, the park was sold to the Taunton Greyhound Association but remained operating under the name of Lincoln Park. The first live greyhound races took place in 1977 and continued until 2009, when Lincoln, now known as Twin River, decided to focus on slot games and table games instead of racing.
These live racing venues stopped offering betting due to increased costs and low-profit margins. While the state had not seen live horse racing in many years, all greyhound racing was banned in 2010.
Race Tracks in Rhode Island
The two horse racing tracks that once operated in the state of Rhode Island were Narragansett Park and Lincoln Park. Narragansett began offering live racing action back in 1934, and after 44 years of offering betting and racing, the Park ceased to host live races in 1977. That same year, Lincoln Park also stopped offering horse racing and began providing greyhound racing at the track. All forms of live greyhound racing were later banned by the state in 2010.
While there are simulcast betting options provided at the operating Rhode Island sportsbooks, you can also head to nearby states to engage in live racing action. In Connecticut, horse racing enthusiasts can find the Shoreline Star Greyhound Park. Massachusetts also has two venues that offer live racing. One is Suffolk Downs and the other is Plainridge Race Course.
What Sports Can You Bet on in RI?
When it comes to engaging in Rhode Island sports betting, you will find the two operating sportsbooks to offer great markets. You may not be able to wager on every sport that is played around the globe, but there are some great betting options. Below is a list of sports that you can bet on when you visit the Tiverton or Lincoln Sportsbooks.
- Football
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Hockey
- Softball
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Golf
- Auto Racing
- Boxing
Can You Bet on Rhode Island College Sports?
When you visit the great Rhode Island sportsbooks, you can wager on professional and college sports. You will find a huge list of games that are scheduled for both and while you can bet on your favorite college team, the state does not allow you to place any bet on a Rhode Island-based team. This means you cannot place bets on games that involve some of the top RI colleges and universities like Brown, Johnson, and Whales, RIC, Bryant or Providence College.
You will find great coverage of college sports being offered when you start your Rhode Island sports betting experience. You can enjoy wagers on college basketball, baseball, hockey, and football.
Bet On Sports In Usa
Can You Still Play Rhode Island Fantasy Sports?
If you are interested in the action of fantasy ports, you will have the ability to place wagers online in a secure environment. While live sports betting is now available, you may wish to reap the benefits of daily fantasy sports instead. Betting on fantasy sports is completely legal and you can find some great sites that offer betting options like Monkey Knife Fight, DraftKings and FanDuel.
Best Bets In Sports
With fantasy sports, you will not be betting on the outcome of any event. Instead, you will create your own fantasy team, and compete against other opponents. The goal is to achieve points throughout the games which will yield cash payouts. The points that are scored are a direct result of the player’s true performances in games, so when choosing fantasy rosters, it is important to be informed of all stats, injuries, trades, and any other aspect that could alter the performance of any individual player at any time.