Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) has given its approval for the soft launch of online sports betting and igaming in the state from tomorrow (October 12).
The Connecticut Lottery Corporation, Mohegan Tribe and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, together with their partners, will be able to commence a seven-day soft launch period from 3:00pm local time tomorrow.
The lottery and the two tribes are the only groups allowed to operate sports betting, while only the tribes may offer igaming.
The Mohegan tribe has partnered with FanDuel for sports betting in Connecticut, while the Mashantucket Pequot is working with DraftKings, and the Connecticut Lottery Corporation with Rush Street Interactive.
In line with soft launch rules, the three operators can only offer sports betting within the state’s boundaries, while online sports wagering will only be permitted for certain times of the day during the period.
Online sports betting with all three operators will be limited to between the hours of 3pm and 11pm on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, then 12:00pm to 11:59pm on Thursday and Friday. This will be expanded to a 24-hour cycle through the rest of the soft launch period.
The scope of the soft launch will be further limited to wagering by 750 consumers directly through the online platform for all operators, while the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes will only be able to offer games approved by the DCP during the soft launch.
Following approval from the DCP, FanDuel, DraftKings and Rush Street Interactive may now begin establishing patron accounts for the 750 players that will take part in the soft launch.
“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,” DCP commissioner Michelle Seagull said.
“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.”
The roll-out of sports betting and igaming was a key goal of Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, and saw the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot Tribes agree new compacts with the state. Legislation ratifying each passed the Connecticut legislature in May.