Connecticut Online Sports Betting Launch Delayed
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Last week, I wrote about Connecticut launching retail sports betting with the Foxwoods Resort Casino and the Mohegan Sun taking their first in-person bets on September 30. Online sports betting was expected to launch on Thursday, October 7, but that has now been delayed.
Kaitlyn Krasselt, the communications director for the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, said “the delay of the publication of the memorandums of understanding in the Federal Register set the process back a bit.” The delay is not expected to be lengthy, but Connecticut residents and nearby visitors hoping to place an online sports bet on Thursday will have no such luck, unfortunately.
What is a Memorandum of Understanding?
A memorandum of understanding is a document that describes an agreement between two parties and details the intended action to be taken by both parties. MOUs are not legally binding in general and rather serve as a basis for common understanding as to the parameters of an agreement. The MOUs for Connecticut’s sports betting were published in the federal register in September, presumably later than initially expected. Aside from that time delay, it seems that the rest of the pieces are in place and on track for online sports betting to launch in the near future.
Connecticut’s Unexpectedly Rocky Retail Launch
Connecticut has already run into some issues with its retail sports betting launch after the first sports bet was placed by Governor Ned Lamont on September 30. Lamont placed a $50 wager on the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun to cover a 7.5-point spread in their playoff game against the Chicago Sky which they would go on to lose. The Mohegan Sun would later be forced to suspend betting on WNBA games as officials raised concerns over a conflict of interest – the Mohegan Tribe owns the Connecticut Sun and the Sun play their home games in an arena inside the Mohegan Sun casino. For more information on this controversial development, check out Max Heering’s article here.
Which Online Sports Betting Platforms Will Be Available in Connecticut?
Legislation for sports betting saw the approval of three separate “skins” or brands in the state. The Mohegan Tribe partnered with FanDuel to provide the FanDuel Sportsbook mobile application and desktop site. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation partnered with DraftKings’ online sportsbook. The Connecticut Lottery Corporation partnered with Rush Street Interactive which will operate through its SugarHouse brand.
Expected Connecticut Timeline
According to Kaitlyn Krasselt, the communications director for the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, “no date has been set” for the launch of online sports betting as the state is “working with the licensees to ensure their platforms are certified and in compliance with the regulations prior to launch.” Retail sports betting is now live in Connecticut’s casinos while online sports betting should soon follow suit.
With a population of about 3.5 million and a sports betting tax rate of 13.75%, there is optimism for a significant amount of tax revenue in the state and the Appropriations Committee reportedly expects about $80 million in additional revenue for the state from all new forms of gambling including sports betting and Daily Fantasy Sports. We’ll keep you posted on the latest developments in the state so keep checking back for more news on Connecticut sports betting.
