Connecticut Sports Betting: Top 3 Sportsbooks Available

• Legalized Connecticut sports betting launched in October 2021, and has started strong, generating a handle of more than $600 million in just over four months.
• Connecticut's three legal online sportsbooks and 12 land-based sportsbooks offer action on an incredible lineup of local teams (from New York, New Jersey and Boston) and a wide range of options from around the world.
• Players aged 21 or older are offered a variety of generous welcome offers by the state's mobile sports betting operators.

Let's run through everything you need to know about sports betting in Connecticut!

The Key Points of Connecticut Sports Betting

Is Connecticut online sports betting legal?

It sure is! After the state government struck a deal with Connecticut's two gaming tribes (Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan) on casino offerings and tribal exclusivity, retail Connecticut sports betting launched on September 30, 2021, and online sports betting in the state fully launched on October 19. 

Sports betting in Connecticut is legal via three mobile sports betting apps and in-person at a handful of physical sportsbooks.

Who can legally bet in Connecticut?

Anyone at least 21 years of age and physically within the state's borders (verifiable by mobile device geolocation technology for mobile bettors) can place bets in Connecticut. That is, of course, provided you're not a so-called "principal actor" – player, referee, coach, etc. – in a sport, in which case you cannot bet on your own sport.

What sports can I not bet on in Connecticut?

Though wagering on in-state college teams is prohibited, betting markets for all major (and some less-than-major) sports are available in Connecticut. 

Also, though daily fantasy sports contests have been legal in Connecticut since 2017, it's uncertain how long this will remain the case. The 2021 bill that legalized traditional sports betting in the state granted control of fantasy sports to Connecticut's two gaming tribes. Until an agreement is reached with the tribes, there's a risk that FanDuel and DraftKings will have to cease DFS operations in the state.

What Can You Bet On In Connecticut?

Sports betting in Connecticut focuses on a wide range of markets for professional and non-Connecticut college games from around not only the U.S., but the world: 

• Badminton
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Boxing
• Cricket
• Darts
• Football
• Handball
• Hockey
• MMA
• Motorsports
• Snooker
• Soccer
• Tennis

… and more! You name it; you can probably get action on it!

For fans and bettors with a more local focus, the range of local options in Connecticut is staggering:

• There are the New York Jets, the New York Giants and the New England Patriots in the NFL.
• The Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, and Boston Celtics are in the NBA. 
• The New York Rangers and Islanders, the New Jersey Devils and the Boston Bruins are in the NHL.
• In Major League Baseball, we've got New York's Mets and Yankees, and the Boston Red Sox.
• And, in Major League Soccer, there are the New York Red Bulls, NYCFC and the New England Revolution.

And, of course, there's plenty of horse racing action to be had as well. However, this must be done online or via off-track betting locations, as there are currently no tracks in Connecticut that run thoroughbred or harness races.

The Pros and Cons of Connecticut Sports Betting

The upsides of legalized online sports betting in Connecticut (beyond the simple fact that it's actually here!) are significant:

• With three mobile operators active in the state, players aged 21 or older can place bets from homes, hotels, sports bars, the sidewalk… anywhere in the state, really!
• The process of opening, verifying and funding a mobile sports betting account in Connecticut is straightforward and can be completed remotely.
• With retail sports betting also legal in the state, players can place bets at any of 12 (with the potential to rise to 15) physical sportsbooks in Connecticut.
• Operators offer pre-game, in-game, prop and futures lines or contests in a massive range of foreign and domestic sports leagues!

At the same time, there are a couple of potential annoyances that players should be aware of:

• The prohibition against betting on individual games of in-state college teams impacts Connecticut more than many other states, given the massive local popularity of the UConn Huskies men's and women's basketball teams. It is worth noting, though, that wagers on postseason tournaments (i.e., March Madness), provided they take into account the entire tournament (for instance, betting "the UConn men will win the tournament" is legal, but bets on individual games are not)
• Players who enjoy a day out at the track - even from afar - are out of luck in Connecticut. Not only are there no active horse or dog racing tracks in Connecticut.

Where To Begin Sports Betting in Connecticut

Currently, if you Google "sports betting Connecticut," you'll discover several locations at which you can wager in person in Connecticut:

• The DraftKings sportsbook at the Foxwoods Resort Casino
• The FanDuel sportsbook at the Mohegan Sun Casino
• Any of the state's 15 Off-Track Betting locations, which are run by Sportech, under the Winners brand

As well as the three online sports betting operators active in the state:

1. FanDuel
2. DraftKings
3. PlaySugarHouse Connecticut (a partnership between the SugarHouse Casino, BetRivers parent Rush Street and the Connecticut Lottery).

To get you off on the right foot, here is a quick look at each of Connecticut's online sports betting operators:

• FanDuel Sportsbook
  • First bet risk-free up to $1000 with 1x playthrough requirement
  • Extensive variety of betting markets and products such as Same Game Parlays
  • Occasionally offers outlandish lines (like the Celtics +54.5!) as a bonus to both new and existing users.
  • Wide range of payment options including Venmo
  • Outstanding mobile app - one of the best in the industry on both iOS (4.8/5.0) and Android (4.7/5.0)

• DraftKings
  • Deposit Bonus up to $1,050!
  • Wide variety of betting markets and products
  • Uses a single app in every state in which it operates, saving players from having to switch apps in neighboring states with legal sports betting (New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, for example) or having to download multiple apps
  • Outstanding mobile app - one of the best in the industry on both iOS (4.7/5.0) and Android (4.8/5.0)

• PlaySugarHouse Connecticut
  • An initial deposit bonus of up to $250 (with a playthrough requirement of just 1x!)
  • Cleanly designed and user-friendly interface
  • Expansive selection of sports and wager types, including same-game parlays
  • Mobile app ratings: Apple/iOS, 2.8/5.0; Android, 3.8/5.0

How To Begin Online Sports Betting in Connecticut

If you meet the criterion above It's easy to get started! Here's how:

1. Choose your preferred sportsbook. Connecticut has the three mobile sportsbook operators mentioned above. 
2. Sign up. Once you've found your preferred book, follow the (generally very user-friendly) prompts to set up your account. You'll probably be asked for your social security number or driver's license, to verify your identity, age and location.
3. Deposit. Once you've got an account, it's time to fund it! In most cases, once you create an account, you'll be directed to a deposit screen. You'll be asked to select a payment method. Direct deposit via bank account is worth considering as you can withdraw directly in your checking account in the happy scenario where you cash out. 
4. Start wagering!

Connecticut Sports Betting FAQs

Is sports betting legal in Connecticut?

Yes. Retail (in-person) sports betting has been legal in Connecticut since September 30, 2021, and online legal sports betting launched in the state on October 19, 2021.

How old do I have to be to bet on sports in Connecticut?

Anyone at least 21 years old is of legal age to gamble on sports in Connecticut.

How many online sportsbooks are there in Connecticut?

Three online sportsbooks are authorized to operate in Connecticut: DraftKings, FanDuel, and PlaySugarHouse-owned Rush Street Interactive.

Can I place online bets in Connecticut via my mobile device?

Yes. You can legally place bets with a mobile device if you are within Connecticut's state lines.

Can I bet on Connecticut-based teams while in Connecticut?

You can bet on Connecticut college teams, and any wagers must be based on the outcome of the entire tournament. (i.e. "UConn women's team will win the tournament")

Do you have to live in Connecticut to bet online?

No. You must be physically located within the state's border to legally wager on sports online or at a brick-and-mortar casino.

How much revenue does Connecticut make on sports betting?

Connecticut generated over $30 million in sports betting revenue in 2021.