The Connecticut Lottery Corporation has launched retail sports betting in the state, with operating partners Rush Street Interactive and Sportech.
The PlaySugarHouse retail sportsbook at Sports Haven in New Haven is the first of 15 planned by RSI and the Connecticut Lottery.
The companies plan to launch retail sportsbooks at Bobby V’s Restaurant & Sports Bar locations in Stamford and Windsor Locks “in the coming days”.
“This has been a long time coming for Connecticut players, and we’re honored to be the only statewide retail operator,” said Greg Smith, president and CEO of the Connecticut Lottery Corporation. “Together with our partners Rush Street Interactive and Sportech Venues, we can offer bettors world-class, in-person sportsbooks at accessible locations throughout the state and mobile sports betting under the PlaySugarHouse brand.”
“We also want to acknowledge that this day would not have been possible without the tireless and collaborative work on the part of Governor Lamont, his staff, and our legislative leaders,” said Connecticut Lottery Corporation board chair Rob Simmelkjaer. “Their efforts led to a deal that benefits all of Connecticut.”
All three sportsbooks will feature food and beverage service, wall-to-wall screens, odds boards, and betting kiosks.
“We are thrilled to roll out the PlaySugarHouse retail sportsbooks in the state of Connecticut alongside the Connecticut Lottery and Sportech,” said Richard Schwartz, chief executive officer of RSI. “By combining the Connecticut Lottery’s brand recognition and retail presence throughout Connecticut, Sportech’s easy-to-access venues, and RSI’s market proven products and services, we look forward to delivering convenient and exciting sports betting options to PlaySugarHouse players across the state.”
PlaySugarHouse retail sportsbooks are also planned for seven other Sportech locations in Connecticut: Hartford, Manchester, Waterbury, Torrington, New Britain, Milford, and Norwalk. Together, RSI and the Connecticut Lottery are authorized to launch up to 15 retail sports betting locations.
RSI and Connecticut Lottery announced their ten year partnership deal back in August in anticipation of the launch of sports betting in the state. Sports betting and igaming was signed into law in May, which was followed by a soft launch in Connecticut last week.
Only the lottery and the state’s two tribal operators may offer sports betting in Connecticut.
As well as retail sports betting, bettors can now use the PlaySugarHouse.com site and app to place wagers online.
Geolocation security company GeoComply has reported that during the soft launch from October 12 to October 19, over 1.2 million betting transactions have taken place with Connecticut’s three legal operators. This, when compared with Connecticut’s 3.5 million population, has seen the state ranked 9th in sports betting and casino traffic per capita in the United States.
“Today marks a historic day for sports betting fans in Connecticut as the PlaySugarHouse sportsbook launches in New Haven,” said Ted Taylor, president of Sportech Venues, Inc. “Our Sportech team is delighted to be Connecticut Lottery’s and RSI’s partner for delivering this exciting product here and in all our other locations soon.”