International Game Technology PLC (IGT) has announced an eight-year deal to provide online products to the Connecticut Lottery. IGT will deploy its iLottery gaming system and related components through a new website and mobile app. The contract will last until at least 2031 with the option of a four-year extension. The deal is an addition to a 10-year agreement the two parties signed in 2021, which made IGT the primary retail technology provider for the Lottery.
Connecticut legalized online lottery sales with the same bill that established online casinos and sports betting in the state. However, it has been over two years since the bill passed without any word on a potential launch date for the online lottery, until now.
The Lottery says it expects to launch the new website and app in late fall 2023.
Once live, they will allow players to play Keno or buy tickets for popular national draw games like Mega Millions and Powerball through their mobile devices and desktop computers. Other options include state draw games like Lotto!, Cash5, Play3 with Wild Ball, and Play4 with Wild Ball.
IGT Is a World Leader in Lottery Technology
Retail and online casino players might recognize IGT for its slots. The company is behind some of the most played slots, including Cleopatra, the Wheel of Fortune series, and Da Vinci Diamonds. But the company is also one of the biggest lottery technology providers across the US and globally. Some highlights of IGT partnerships include:
- Technology provider for 56 lotteries across five continents, including eight of the ten largest globally
- Technology provider for 25 Lotteries in the US, which generate 75% of US lottery sales
- Instant ticket manufacturer for 50 lotteries across the globe
- Technology provider for Georgia, Michigan, and Kentucky’s online lottery websites
IGT also makes a number of popular instant-win online lottery products. However, these won’t be available in Connecticut. They were left out of the state’s 2021 gambling bill because of fears they would compete with the two tribe-operated online casinos, Mohegan Casino and DraftKings.
For quick prizes, Keno will be the only option.
CT Joins a Growing List of States With an Online Lottery Option
Retail lotteries’ popularity has significantly increased in recent years. With billion-dollar wins becoming a norm, more people are interested in buying tickets. That’s why, unsurprisingly, online lottery ticket interest has also increased. State lottery agencies have decided to handle online lottery in different ways.
Washington D.C. has a full-featured online lottery with instant games, as do these seven states:
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
Other states have taken the same tack as Connecticut, in allowing online draw sales only:
- Illinois
- Maine*
- Maryland*
- Massachusetts*
- New York*
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
(* available through subscriptions only)
Some states that don’t directly sell lottery tickets online allow lottery courier services like Jackpocket. These couriers have officially partnered with state and national lotteries and purchased tickets on the player’s behalf.
CT Lottery Still Looking for Sports Betting Supplier
There should be another partnership announcement coming soon from the state Lottery.
Connecticut’s sports betting laws allow the Lottery to operate a sports-only betting site without online casino games. When the market launched, the Lottery agreed to a 10-year partnership with Rush Street Interactive (RSI) to provide the product under the PlaySugarHouse brand. In March, however, RSI announced it would be discontinuing those operations.
Soon after, CLC released a request for proposals (RFP) for a potential new partner. Potential suitors would include BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics Sportsbook, or Bally’s, among others.
CLC is expected to make a decision this month. If all goes well, the new sportsbook could launch in the fall, around the same time as the online lottery.
UPDATES: iLottery Launch Delayed (Oct 2023), Sports Betting Partner Selected (Dec 2023)
An update for our readers, as this article continues to receive high traffic:
The Connecticut online lottery did not launch in Fall 2023 as originally expected. Officials postponed the launch, citing quality control issues with the app. Bonus continues to seek out information about a revised launch date and will update our readers once we know.
In the meantime, the Connecticut Lottery has selected Fanatics as its new sports betting partner. The new betting app launched on Dec. 12.
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