Is online sports betting legal in Connecticut?	Yes, but it is not available just yet. The state’s online sportsbooks will open Oct. 7, 2021.
When can I place legal sports betting wagers in Connecticut?	Online sports betting in Connecticut will launch Oct. 7 in the middle of the NFL season. Check out the NFL Odds to prepare your picks!
What are the eligibility requirements?	You must be 21 years of age and physically in the state of Connecticut to place bets once the state goes live.
What online sportsbooks are available in Connecticut?	DraftKings, FanDuel and SugarHouse
What sports will I be able to bet?	Connecticut bettors will be able to bet on the NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS, NHL, and plenty of other domestic and international leagues/competitions. Bettors may bet on college sports, but not on Connecticut college sports teams (like the UConn Huskies) unless they are playing in a tournament with four or more teams, like the NCAA's March Madness basketball tournaments.

The state’s online sportsbooks will open on Oct. 7, 2021.

Connecticut’s 2021 sports betting law and accompanying tribal gaming compacts will allow three statewide mobile sportsbooks. The Mohegan (FanDuel) and Mashantucket Pequot (DraftKings) tribes can also open iGaming sites.

The Connecticut Lottery can open an online sportsbook, as well as up to 15 retail books across the state. The state lottery is partnered with Rush Street Interactive, which will likely brand its sportsbooks under the SugarHouse name. The retail books will be at 10 Sportech sites in Hartford, Manchester, Milford, New Britain, New Haven, Norwalk, Stamford, Torrington, Waterbury and Windsor Locks. Five other sites, which includes another location in Hartford and one in Bridgeport, will be announced in the future.

Connecticut’s retail sportsbooks are also set to open Oct. 7, though the two tribal books could potentially open earlier if they clear all licensing requirements.

Current sportsbook deals for Connecticut

DraftKings is The Action Network's preferred sportsbook of choice. Read our full DraftKings review

Read our full FanDuel review

Read our full Sugar House review

Connecticut Sports Betting Background

Connecticut sports bettors are on the cusp of being able to legally bet on the New York Giants, the Jets, the Knicks and much more after Gov. Ned Lamont signed the state’s gaming compact legislation in May 2021. The state's first legal retail sportsbooks cleared the final major regulatory hurdle on Sept. 15, allowing in-person betting to begin in the coming days. Connecticut's online sports betting launch is set for Oct. 7, 2021.

The DraftKings sportsbook at Foxwoods Resort Casino and the FanDuel sportsbook at Mohegan Sun were formally approved by federal regulators when a renewed gaming compact between the state and the two partnering tribes was published in the Federal Registrar. The two massive casino resorts have spent months preparing in-person sportsbooks.

The gaming compact will allow the Pequot and the Mohegans to open and regulate retail sportsbooks at their Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos, respectively. The Mashantucket Pequots have partnered with DraftKings and the Mohegans with FanDuel. Additionally, the tribes agreed to pause plans for a new joint casino in East Windsor.

Sports betting has slowly gained traction since the Supreme Court struck down the federal ban back in 2018, with Gov. Ned Lamont and his predecessor both attempting to reach agreements with the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes to no avail. In the wake of COVID-19 shutting down both casinos in Connecticut and the government falling into a budget deficit, both sides became more open toward a deal.

That relatively quick turnaround is all the more impressive considering Connecticut's prior multiyear impasse to strike an accord. Then earlier this year, Lamont, the state’s two gaming tribes and the Connecticut Lottery announced a groundbreaking deal to would make Connecticut the first competitive sports betting market in New England. This agreement allows for up to 15 retail sportsbook locations run through the Connecticut Lottery. 

The 2021 gaming bill prohibits the lottery from partnering with any sportsbook directly branded under an existing physical casino. That would seemingly exclude Caesars, BetMGM, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock and WynnBet. Like with the two tribal digital sportsbooks, eligible bettors age 21 and up who are physically located in Connecticut may place a mobile bet within state lines.

New Hampshire (DraftKings) and Rhode Island (William Hill, now Caesars) have de facto monopolies — and as sports betting bills still linger in Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine, Connecticut is on the cusp of New England’s first competitive market. Connecticut officials believe this compromise approach between competing gaming interests could be a model for the region and nation overall.

How Connecticut Compares: The CT Sports Betting Report Card

We graded Connecticut on its sports betting bill and experience relative to other states.

Connecticut Sports Betting Grading Card

Connecticut's Legalization Timeline

It's been a process getting sports betting to the goal line. We'll bet you care more about the sports of it all than the legal history, but here are some of the important events along the way:

September 2021

Connecticut state officials confirm Oct. 7 online sports betting launch. The state’s online sportsbooks will open Oct. 7, state officials confirmed with the Action Network. Connecticut’s 2021 sports betting law and accompanying tribal gaming compacts will allow three statewide mobile sportsbooks. The Mohegan (FanDuel) and Mashantucket Pequot (DraftKings) tribes can also open iGaming sites. [Officials Confirm Launch, Sept. 17]

Connecticut’s first legal retail sportsbooks cleared the final major regulatory hurdle, allowing in-person betting to begin soon. The DraftKings sportsbook at Foxwoods Resort Casino and the FanDuel sportsbook at Mohegan Sun were formally approved by federal regulators when a renewed gaming compact between the state and the two partnering tribes was published in the Federal Registrar. [Sports Betting at Retail Sportsbooks Nears, Sept. 15]

August 2021

 The CT legislature’s Regulation Review Committee approved temporary “emergency”  regulations. This will allow the state’s online sportsbooks operators to proceed with state licensing requirements. This process is expected to take between two-to-six weeks. [CT Update, Aug. 31]

  The Connecticut Lottery announces its partnership with Rush Street Interactive. The Connecticut Lottery has chosen its partner for its sports betting operations. Rush Street Interactive operates SugarHouse. SugarHouse now joins FanDuel and DraftKings as the final three sportsbooks for the state. [CT Lottery Announcement, Aug. 12]

July 2021

 FanDuel announces partnership with Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment for sports betting. DraftKings had already partnered with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, meaning FanDuel and DraftKings are likely not in the running to partner with Connecticut Lottery to provide mobile sports wagering. [DraftKings Press Release, FanDuel Press Release, July 7]

May 2021

  Gov. Ned Lamont signs sports betting, online gaming bill. This establishes a system to legalize sports wagering and online gaming. [Gov. Tweet Announcement, May 27]

  The Senate passes sports betting bill, HB 6451. This bill received bipartisan support in the Senate and now moves on for Gov. Lamont to sign. [HB 6451, May 25]

  The House passes sports betting bill, HB 6451. This bill received bipartisan support and moves to the Senate in hopes of passing there. [HB 6451, May 20]

April 2021

  Cut off for sports betting platforms to submit qualifications to CT Lottery. Sports betting providers have until April 23 at 3 p.m. to file their response to the Connecticut Lottery Corporation’s request for qualifications and capabilities from experienced sports betting providers. This is in anticipation of legalization. [CLC Request, April 23]

March 2021

  Gov. Ned Lamont and the Mashantucket Pequot tribe announced they’ve finalized a gaming agreement. This was a huge hurdle for lawmakers and this groundbreaking agreement paves the way for Connecticut online sports betting to move through the legalization process seamlessly. [CT Online Sports Betting Cleared, March 18]

February 2021

  Gov. Ned Lamont announced in his budget address that he’s working to legalize both sports betting and online gaming. He said he’s working with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes to expand upon their current gaming agreements. [Budget Address, Feb. 11]

Connecticut Teams to Bet on

Pro Sports Teams

Connecticut does not have a men's professional sports franchise. The state used to have an NHL team, the Hartford Whalers, but the franchise would move to North Carolina in 1997. Connecticut does field a WNBA franchise, its lone professional sports team.

WNBA Betting in Connecticut

Connecticut Sun

Official Connecticut Sun Website | Schedule | Roster

The Connecticut Sun joined the WNBA as an expansion team in 1999, originally as the Orlando Miracle. The franchise would be sold to the Mohegan Indian tribe and relocated to Connecticut in 2003.

The Sun struggled before its rebranding, making the playoffs just once in four seasons. Since then, the franchise has made the playoffs 12 times including three WNBA Finals appearances. They would lose all three. The Sun has made four straight playoff appearances to date under head coach Curt Miller and play its home games at Mohegan Sun Arena.

College Sports Teams

NCAA Division I Football & Basketball

UConn Huskies

NCAA Division I Basketball Only

Yale Bulldogs

Central Connecticut Blue Devils

Hartford Hawks

Fairfield Stags

Quinnipiac Bobcats

Sacred Heart Pioneers

College Football Betting in Connecticut

Connecticut Huskies Football 

Official Connecticut Huskies Website | Schedule | Roster || Huskies Odds

The only Division I FBS football program in Connecticut, the Huskies currently compete as an independent. Originally competing at the FCS level, UConn began the two-year transition in 2000 and would later join the Big East in 2004. They moved to the American Athletic Conference in 2013.

Despite its struggles over the last decade, UConn has appeared in six bowl games and won two Big East championships, in 2007 and 2010. The Huskies are coached by Randy Edsall, in his second stint at the helm, and play home games at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Their 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19.

Connecticut Huskies Rivalry: vs. UMass Minutemen. There aren't many heated rivals for the Huskies since they remain the only Division I-A football program in the state. But their rivalry against UMass started back in 1897, was held yearly from 1953-99, and was revived in 2018. The annual bout ended with Connecticut's move to the FBS level in 2000, with UMass making the same transition 11 years later. Both schools currently compete as independents with the Huskies winning its recent 2019 matchup, 56-35.

Recommended resources to help you bet smartly on college football in Connecticut:

• College Football Betting Tips for Profitability
• College Football Betting Tips on Fading the Public
• Check out our expert team with College Football Picks and real-time College Football Odds

College Basketball Betting in Connecticut

Connecticut Huskies Men's Basketball

Official Connecticut Huskies Website | Schedule | Roster || Huskies Odds

One of the most storied basketball programs of all time, Connecticut is a four-time National Champion with 33 NCAA Tournament appearances. The Huskies have the most Big East regular-season championships — 10 — and last won the NCAA Tournament in 2014, becoming the first-ever No. 7 seed to win the championship. They defeated No. 8 seed Kentucky, 60-54, on the back of star point guard Shabazz Napier's 24 points.

UConn is currently coached by Dan Hurley and will compete in the 2021 NCAA Tournament as a No. 7 seed. The Huskies rejoined the Big East this season and play home games at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.

Connecticut Huskies Rivalry #1: vs. Georgetown Hoyas. At the height of the Big East in the 1980s and 90s, this rivalry had decades of dominance from one another. Georgetown's 2021 Big East Tournament championship gave the program a conference-record eight, separating itself from Connecticut (seven). Each team has once held a double-digit win streak at one point over the 68-game series that has been rekindled since the Huskies' move back to the Big East in 2021. UConn has won the last two over the Hoyas.

Connecticut Huskies Rivalry #2: vs. Villanova Wildcats. Stretching out over 80 years, this rivalry is only going to increase in intensity now that Connecticut is back in the Big East. The two programs have combined for five National Championships since the 2009 season and even faced each other in the 2014 NCAA Tournament. The Huskies would upset No. 2-seeded Villanova en route to its last championship. The Wildcats hold a 37-30 all-time series lead including an eight-point win in their most recent bout.

Yale Bulldogs Men's Basketball

Official Yale Bulldogs Website | Schedule | Roster || Bulldogs Odds

Established in 1896, Yale competes in the Ivy League where the program has won seven championships and made five NCAA Tournament appearances. Their last came in 2019, a five-point loss to LSU. Perhaps most notable is their first and only NCAA Tournament win, a 79-75 upset over No. 5 seed Baylor. The Ivy League canceled its 2020-21 season, leaving Yale as defending champions. The Bulldogs are coached by longtime head coach James Jones and play home games at Payne Whitney Gymnasium.

Yale Bulldogs Rivalry: vs. Harvard Crimson. This is a long-storied rivalry that has only heated up in the last decade with both programs becoming the premier teams in the Ivy League. Only once since 2011 has a team not named Harvard or Yale won the regular-season title. The Bulldogs defeated Harvard in the Ivy League championship in 2019 but have dropped both games since.

Central Connecticut State Blue Devils Men's Basketball

Official CCSU Blue Devils Website | Schedule | Roster || Blue Devils Odds

Central Connecticut State made the transition to the Division I level in 1986 and has competed in the Northeast Conference since 1997. The Blue Devils have made three NCAA Tournament appearances, all first-round exits. Their last appearance came in 2007, a loss to No. 1 seed Ohio State. Central Connecticut State plays its home games at William H. Detrick Gymnasium and does not have a head coach after the recent firing of Donyell Marshall. He finished his five-year stint with an overall record of 40-104.

Central Connecticut State Blue Devils Rivalry: vs. Hartford Hawks. Despite competing in separate conferences, this in-state rivalry became an annual nonconference matchup in 2010. The campuses are 10 miles apart and since both joined the Division I level, CCSU and Hartford have played 21 times. Despite the Hawks' two-game win streak, the Blue Devils hold an 11-10 series lead.

Hartford Hawks Men's Basketball

Official Hartford Hawks Website | Schedule | Roster || Hawks Odds

The Hartford Hawks secured its first-ever NCAA Tournament berth in 2021, a 60-54 win over UMass Lowell in the America East championship. Since joining the Division I level in 1984, Hartford has largely struggled, never winning a regular-season conference championship. The Hawks are led by 11th-year head coach John Gallagher and play home games at Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavilion.

Hartford Hawks Rivalry: vs. Central Connecticut State Blue Devils. This rivalry has been fueled by proximity and extends back to 1958 when the programs met at the Division II level. Despite Hartford competing in the America East and CCSU the NEC, the two manage to fit in an annual matchup that has been controlled by Hartford in recent years.

Fairfield Stags Men's Basketball

Official Fairfield Stags Website | Schedule | Roster || Stags Odds

Fairfield competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference where they have won three conference tournaments, including two straight in 1986-87. The Stags have never made it out of the first round of the NCAA Tournament, their last appearance coming in 1997. They were up seven at halftime against No. 1 seed North Carolina but fell short of the upset bid, losing by eight. The Stags are led by second-year head coach Jay Young and play home games at Alumni Hall on campus.

Fairfield Stags Rivalry: vs. Quinnipiac Bobcats. Though not as heated as other rivalries, the two campuses are separated by just 30 miles. Quinnipiac and Fairfield are conference rivals as well, facing one another twice a season. The two split this year's series.

Quinnipiac Bobcats Men's Basketball

Official Quinnipiac Bobcats Website | Schedule | Roster || Bobcats Odds

Since its move to the Division I level in 1998, Quinnipiac has never made the NCAA Tournament. The Bobcats did win a regular-season Northeast Conference championship in 2009 but would later fall in the conference tournament finals by two to Robert Morris. The program received a National Invitation Tournament (NIT) bid that season. Quinnipiac transitioned to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in 2013 and is now coached by Baker Dunleavy. The Bobcats play home games at TD Bank Sports Center on campus.

Quinnipiac Bobcats Rivalry: vs. Fairfield Stags. The Bobcats hold an all-time series lead over the Stags and have won three of the last four matchups. The in-state rivalry fueled by proximity started after Quinnipiac's move to the MAAC in 2013.

Sacred Heart Pioneers Men's Basketball

Official Sacred Heart Pioneers Website | Schedule | Roster

Sacred Heart men's basketball joined the Northeast Conference when it made the jump up to Division I in 1999. The Pioneers have yet to make an NCAA Tournament appearance since that transition but did win the 1986 Division II championship. Sacred Heart is coached by Anthony Latina and plays home games at William H. Pitt Center.

Sacred Heart Pioneers Rivalry: vs. Central Connecticut State Blue Devils. This Northeast Conference and in-state rivalry has been dominated by Sacred Heart in recent years. The programs face each other twice a season as conference rivals with the Pioneers sweeping 2021. Despite Sacred Heart on a 12-game win streak over CCSU, the Blue Devils hold the all-time series lead.

Recommended resources to help you bet smartly on college basketball in Connecticut:

• How to Bet on College Basketball
• Trends to Know Before Betting Conference Tournaments

Other Events

The Travelers Championship

The Travelers Championship is held at TPC River Highlands and has taken place since 1952. The course stretches across 6,844 yards with a par of 70. It is normally held in June.