CT Ready for Soft Launch of iGaming
Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), which regulates all gambling in the Constitution State, has announced that it has approved the soft launch of online sports betting and iGaming in the state starting from October 12th, 2021. The Connecticut Lottery Corporation, the Mohegan Tribe, and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe will be involved in the launch.
A brand-new partnership between sports betting operator Betfred Sports and the state’s Paragon Casino Resort marks the official launch of retail sports betting in the Bayou State. ©12019/Pixabay
iGaming in CT May Only Be Offered by the Tribes
The main governmental body which regulates all gambling in the state of Connecticut, the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), has announced its approval of a soft launch for iGaming and online sports betting in the state starting from October 12th, 2021.
The launch will be dominated by the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, the Mohegan Tribe and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, as well as their partners, with the trio being permitted to start a seven-day launch period starting from 3:00pm local time on the 12th.
All three providers will be able to operate sports betting offers, however only the two tribes — the Mohegan Tribe and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe — are allowed to offer online gaming/iGaming options.
Earlier this year, the Mohegan Tribe partnered with FanDuel to provide sports betting in Connecticut. For its part, the Mashantucket Pequot tribe is now working with DraftKings, while the Connecticut Lottery Corporation is collaborating together with Rush Street Interactive.
Soft Launch Will be Subject to a Number of Restrictions
A soft launch is almost always constrained by a set of rules or restrictions — and the launch of iGaming and sports betting in Connecticut looks to be no exception. These include the following provisions: the three operators may only offer sports betting within the state’s boundaries, and online sports wagering will only be allowed to take place in specific time windows during the week-long soft launch period.
This time period is scheduled to run between the hours 3pm and 11pm on Tuesday, October 12th and Wednesday, October 13th, followed by 2:00pm to 11:59pm on Thursday the 14th and Friday the 15th. This will then be extended to a 24-hour cycle through the rest of the soft launch period.
However the soft launch will not solely be limited by time constraints: only 750 consumers will be able to bet directly through each operator’s online platform during the period. Furthermore, the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes will only be able to offer games approved by the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP).
Major national operators FanDuel, DraftKings and Rush Street Interactive will play a part in the soft launch by beginning to establish patron accounts for the 750 players that will take part in the soft launch, following approval from the DCP.
Roll-Out of iGaming and Sports Betting Key Goal of CT Governor
In a released statement accompanying the announcement of Connecticut’s imminent soft launch of online gambling and sports betting, Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) commissioner Michelle Seagull clarified that online gaming will open up statewide once the forthcoming soft launch period is over:
“We appreciate the hard work of our licensees and their teams, as well as the team at DCP, for their diligence in ensuring these platforms are compliant with the regulations approved by the legislature. As long as no issues arise, we have told the licensees they may move forward with the seven-day soft launch required in the regulations. Once the soft launch is complete, online gaming will open state-wide.”– Michelle Seagull, Commissioner, Department of Consumer Protection (DCP)
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont made the long-anticipated launch of sports betting and iGaming a main policy goal of his administration. This priority meant that the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot Tribes negotiated and signed new betting compacts with the state. Legislation ratifying each compact passed the Connecticut legislature back in May 2021.
Mohegan Tribe Secured Deal with FanDuel in July
As previously mentioned, Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment, which is the gaming branch of the Mohegan Tribe, partnered with online sports betting provider FanDuel in May 2021 for an exclusive market access deal in the state of Connecticut.
This means that FanDuel is now able to provide both retail and online sports betting, along with online casino offerings, coming as a result of a tribal compact and a legislative bill signed between the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes and Connecticut.
The deal kicked off with a temporary FanDuel-Mohegan Sun sportsbook opening up inside the physical Mohegan Sun location. This was expected to remain in place until a permanent opening frees up later in 2021. And with the announcement of the soft launch of sports betting and iGaming in Connecticut — this permanent spot looks to be opening up very soon for FanDuel.
Louisiana Bettors Can Now Also Enjoy Sports Betting
Legal sports betting continues to crop up all around the United States, with retail sports betting finally landing in the state of Louisiana just recently, on October 6th, 2021, after the necessary legal bills were passed in June 2021.
The milestone comes thanks to a partnership between sports betting operator Betfred Sports and Louisiana’s Paragon Casino Resort. This means that Betfred will open up and operate a sportsbook in Paragon Casino’s Draft Room, which is expected to feature traditional betting counters and kiosks.
Louisiana is exciting and uncharted new territory for Betfred Group to be expanding into, according to the provider’s chief operating officer Mark Stebbings:
“Louisiana is an exciting opportunity for Betfred Sports to continue its expansion in the U.S. after successful launches in Iowa, Colorado and Pennsylvania. We look forward to utilizing our 50 years of bookmaking experience with our fantastic partner, Paragon Casino Resort, to bring the best sports betting experience to bettors in the state.”– Mark Stebbings, Chief Operating Officer, Betfred Group
