Full launch in a few hours

After residents in Connecticut whet their online sports betting and iCasino appetites during a one-week soft launch, the full feast will now be on the table 24-7.

Governor Ned Lamont took to Twitter on Monday to announce the full rollout of online sports wagering and iCasino in the state starting 6am on October 19:

He said the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (CTDCP) had given the nod for the unabridged launch of the market. Thanking the CTDCP for its efforts over the “last several months”, the governor encouraged bettors to “enjoy […] responsibly” the full wagering menu available to all adults aged 21 and over in Connecticut.

All three of the state’s online sportsbooks can start establishing patron accounts. FanDuel will do so via the Mohegan Sun Casino-owning Mohegan Tribe, while Rush Street Interactive’s PlaySugarHouse has teamed up with the Connecticut Lottery.

The third operator, DraftKings Sportsbook, is partnered with the Foxwoods Resort Casino-owning Mashantucket Pequot Tribe. On Monday, it tweeted out to bettors to “get ready”:

According to a press release on Connecticut’s official state website, the CTDCP has approved over 130 games for DraftKings and FanDuel apps. The Mohegan and Mashantucket operators can also roll out iCasino gaming.

Gaming economy leader

In the official release, Lamont spoke of an “exciting moment” for the state, saying: “Connecticut has proven to be a leader when it comes to the gaming economy going back decades.” The governor added that the “legacy will continue” with the online launch.

Lamont made history on September 30 by becoming the first person to place a legal sports bet in Connecticut. FanDuel Sportsbook, the operator of the Mohegan Sun Casino’s temporary retail sportsbook, took to Twitter to showcase the governor’s history-making ticket:

While permanent retail sportsbooks are still in the cards for Connecticut, like the Mohegan Sun facility, Foxwoods also launched its temporary venue last month. The Connecticut Lottery can open 15 retail sportsbooks at multiple Sportech-operated venues. Three are ready and awaiting imminent approval to launch, namely at Bobby V’s locations in Stamford and Windsor Locks, and Winners in New Haven.

‘One of the fastest’

Lamont signed Connecticut sports betting into law in July this year after securing the passage of HB 6451. Sports betting and iGaming were, however, high on the state legislature’s agenda for years. Yet it fell on the Mohegan and Mashantucket tribe – who have exclusivity over casino gaming – to get the ball across the line via updated gaming agreement negotiations with the state during 2021.

Gov. Lamont revealed his pride in getting the online market up and running. He said the full launch represented “one of the fastest state implementations of online gaming and sports wagering of any state in the nation.”

Meanwhile, CTDCP commissioner Michelle H. Seagull extended her thanks to everyone taking part in the soft launch. She went on to highlight “an exciting time in our state” and added that the CTDCP was “proud of the work we have done to ensure a safe and successful gaming landscape in Connecticut.”