The state operating licenses for the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino under which the two tribal casinos would be able to offer sports betting services have been approved by the Department of Consumer Protection. At the same time, the Connecticut Lottery Corporation has revealed that it will do everything possible to launch the first phase of retail and digital sports betting in the first week of October.
Earlier this week, the Department of Consumer Protection of Connecticut has given its approval to so-called master gaming licenses. Under the provisions of the permits, the two tribal casino venues situated in the southeastern part of the state will be able to offer sports betting services on reservation land.
The approval came only a day after the Federal Register published an official announcement that the US Department of Interior gave the green light to an amended gaming compact between the Nutmeg State and the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes. The amended tribal gambling agreements allow legal sports betting and online gambling services to be offered by the two Native American tribes.
A spokesperson for the Department of Consumer Protection, Kaitlyn Krsselt, issued a statement saying that the state agency expects the on-reservation sports bets to become available to Connecticut punters on September 30th, but the tribes will determine the official start of the practice.
Tribes Confirm October 30th as Starting Date for Legal Sports Betting in Their Casinos
Representatives of the two Indian tribes confirmed that sports betting will start on Thursday.
Rodney Butler, the Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot tribe, described the move as a new era not only for the Native American tribal nation but also for Connecticut residents and sports fans. A spokesperson for the Mohegan Sun also said that the casino will start accepting sports bets as of September 30th.
While the state’s Department of Consumer Protection has approved the master gambling licenses for the lottery and Rush Street Interactive, which serves as its commercial partner, the agency’s spokesperson shared that the DCP is still waiting on some documents so that a soft launch can be scheduled after all necessary licenses are finalized.
The state’s lottery and the two tribes have all been working to get their sports betting operation permits in time for the start of the new National Football League (NFL) season.
The Connecticut Lottery Corporation is allowed to offer sports betting services in up to 15 brick-and-mortar venues. Ten of those sites are set to be operated by Sportech that has been selected as the lottery’s official partner in the state. Reportedly, the sports betting kiosks in the first three Sportech locations in New Haven, Stamford and Windsor Locks are set to start operation next week. The other seven Sportech locations are set to begin offering their services by the end of October.
