On September 9, 2021, Governor Ned Lamont, Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, and Mohegan Tribe announced final federal approval for online gambling in Connecticut. The additional federal approval was required after revisions were made to the gaming compacts between the tribes and the state. The Bureau of Indian Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior approved the revisions, and online sports betting and casino gaming is set to launch on October 7, 2021.
“This critical step in the process of modernizing our gaming landscape here in Connecticut ensures that our state will have a competitive, nation-leading marketplace for wagering both in-person and online,” said Governor Ned Lamont. “I thank the Bureau of Indian Affairs for approving these revisions, as well as the efforts of our partners with the Mohegan Tribe and Mashantucket Pequot Tribe. Today’s announcement puts Connecticut on the cusp of providing a modern, technologically advanced gaming experience that will be competitive with our neighboring states and positions us for success into the future.”
What Connecticut Online Gambling Will Look Like
Bettors 21 and up and physically located in Connecticut will have access to three online sports betting apps and two online casinos:
- FanDuel Sportsbook & Casino, in partnership with Mohegan Sun.
- DraftKings Sportsbook & Casino, in partnership with Foxwoods Resort.
- BetRivers Sportsbook, in partnership with the CT Lottery.
Both FanDuel and DraftKings offer sports betting and casino gaming on a single app as well as standalone casino apps for access to additional games. The apps will be available in Connecticut for iOS and Android devices in the App Store and Google Play store, respectively.
The BetRivers Sportsbook will not offer casino games, but it will give sports bettors a third option when shopping for the best odds. Connecticut regulations allow bettors to join all three online gambling brands in the state.
BetRivers Sportsbook will be best accessed via a web browser. The brand offers state-specific apps in select areas, but it likely won’t have a reliable iOS or Android app in Connecticut immediately upon launch.
Connecticut Online Casino Bonuses And Promotions
Connecticut online casinos may offer pre-launch bonus offers. DraftKings offered $200 in free bets in the leadup to the launch in Michigan while FanDuel offered a $100 free bet. However, the lack of competition in Connecticut means the brands may just offer their standard welcome bonuses instead:
- DraftKings Casino: $60 free for signing up, plus $25 free when you deposit and a 100% deposit match up to $2,000.
- FanDuel Casino: Play your first 24 hours risk-free up to $1,000.
Terms and conditions apply to all online casino bonus offers. Important aspects include playthrough requirements, time limits, and what games contribute to the playthrough.
Connecticut Sports Betting Bonuses And Promotions
BetRivers Sportsbook offers the best welcome bonus in online sports betting, but DraftKings and FanDuel also offer highly competitive signup offers. Here’s what sports bettors can expect from Connecticut online sportsbooks:
- BetRivers: 100% deposit match up to $250 (with just 1x wagering requirements).
- DraftKings: 20% deposit match up to $1,000 ($1 credited for every $25 wagered).
- FanDuel: Risk-free bet up to $1,000 (lost bet refunded as betting credits).
Additional terms and conditions apply to all sports betting offers. Once you’re a member at any of the Connecticut sports betting apps, you have access to all the other promotions available as well. The offers will likely revolve around the 2021 World Series as well as the 2021-22 NFL Season, both of which are expected to be highly popular options for Connecticut bettors immediately upon launch.
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