Connecticut could be on its way to seeing legal online poker sites launch, thanks to a bill that would enable traffic-sharing with other states. Senators are considering a bill that would allow the state to join the Multistate Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), the compact that has enabled online poker sites in other states to share their player pools. The bill also includes enhanced player protection measures, such as betting limits at the state’s online sportsbooks.
Legally speaking, Connecticut online poker has been possible since 2021, when online casinos and sportsbooks launched. However, as an isolated market, it lacks the population to be appealing to poker operators. In contrast to Connecticut’s 3.7 million residents, the unified market of Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, Michigan, and West Virginia has over 25 million potential players. With Pennsylvania now on the cusp of joining, that will balloon to nearly 40 million.
Just keeping games running around the clock can be difficult when the player base is small. Therefore, a less populous state is more viable as part of a multi-state network than it is on its own.
SB 1464, sponsored by the House General Law Committee, is scheduled for a Senate public hearing on March 12. If passed, Connecticut could join MSIGA as early as July 1, 2025, though it will likely be later.
Online poker in CT and current state of MSIGA
Currently, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, and West Virginia are part of the MSIGA. However, West Virginia has yet to launch online poker, while Delaware is in a blackout period as its technology partner, BetRivers, works to introduce a new platform. But that could change soon as BetRivers Poker debuted in Pennsylvania in November. The Keystone State, the largest iGaming market by gaming revenue, is working toward joining MSIGA, which it expects to happen next month.
At present, online poker is unavailable in Connecticut. The two casinos, DraftKings Casino and Mohegan Sun Casino, do not offer it, likely due to the state’s relatively small population. However, SB 1464 could be the catalyst for that to change, as sharing tables and traffic with other states could be more lucrative for operators.
Another potential hurdle is that neither DraftKings nor Mohegan Sun’s technology partner, FanDuel, currently offers a traditional poker platform. Still, last year, the former debuted its DraftKings Electric Poker in Michigan and expanded it to Pennsylvania. That means it could also introduce it to Connecticut.
The success of SB 1464 and whether operators will launch online poker in Connecticut are uncertain. In the meantime, residents can play at sweepstakes poker sites like Global Poker for a chance to redeem their winnings for cash prizes.
Bill also amends player protection measures
Aside from multi-state poker, SB 1464 proposes additional player protection and responsible gaming features, such as wager limits for sports betting. It amends existing regulations to require operators to display maximum bet amounts on their platforms. However, the bill does not set a specific limit. Instead, it directs the Commissioner of Consumer Protection to establish those regulations.
SB 1464 also requires sportsbooks to provide a toll-free number to enable users to receive assistance with platform-related issues. Furthermore, it obliges operators to stop accepting bets and refund all affected wagers if they discover an error in the odds offered on a sports event.
Pennsylvania to join MSIGA in April
While Connecticut is only starting to explore joining MSIGA, Pennsylvania could become the latest member as early as next month. Last week, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board confirmed to PlayPennsylvania (another Catena Media site) that it expects to join MSIGA in April. The regulator’s Communications Director Doug Harbach told the outlet:
We continue to work internally and with online poker operators to get the shared liquidity market up sometime in April. The agreement would, of course, be a signed prior to that launch.
Despite the agreement, the rollout will not be immediate. Users will not be able to play multi-state poker right away as the technical implementation is complex. Based on timelines from other states, it will likely take months before it becomes a reality. The odds are that some operators could go live by the end of the year. Pennsylvania has five online poker brands: BetMGM Poker, BetRivers Poker, Borgata Poker, PokerStars, and WSOP.
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