Connecticut May Be Next For A Legal Sports Betting Market
- Lawmakers in Connecticut are backing a new sports betting bill.
- Local tribes attempted to launch legal online gambling during the pandemic.
- Foxwood Resorts has partnered with DraftKings.
HARFORD, Conn. – Connecticut may soon be offering legal sports betting in its legislation as lawmakers back a potential sports betting bill.
If approved, the bill could see a sports betting market in the Constitution State by mid-2021. Both the local government and the local tribes will have to agree for any bill to occur.
The legal Connecticut gambling market would be expanding drastically should sports betting get approved. There is a lot of optimism surrounding the potential bill.
Sports Betting Connecticut
While Connecticut’s local gaming market has a solid system between the local government and the local tribe, for a legal sports betting market to launch, a new agreement would have to occur.
There is optimism for this happening, however, as the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribal Nations both have expressed interest in expanding the local gambling market following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier in the year, the tribes pushed forth a request to bring legal online gambling to Connecticut, but it was shut down by Governor Ned Lamont. Lemont, however, seems to be in favor of adding sports betting to Connecticut’s legislature.
In addition, Foxwoods Resort Casino has a new partnership with DraftKings. DraftKings is one of the nation’s leaders in legal sports betting.
“Partnering with DraftKings, the most prominent name in sports betting, reinforces the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe’s position as a leader in the gaming and entertainment industry,” said Rodney Butler, chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, which owns and operates Foxwoods. “We’ve proven our ability to shape the future of gaming time and time again, and now we’re ready to drive sports wagering and online gaming for the state of Connecticut. Working through the tribal gaming compacts, we will help bolster our economy with much-needed revenue and virtual entertainment.”
Connecticut’s next legislative session is in January where the potential bill will be presented. Should all go well, Connecticut gamblers will be able to wager on their favorite sports teams as well.