Governor Ned Lamont signed Bill HB6451 into law in May 2021, making both retail and online sports wagering legal in the Nutmeg State. It wasn’t months later until full-fledged sports betting officially went live in Connecticut on October 19, 2021, following a week-long soft launch.
According to the agreement, the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, the Mohegan Tribe, and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe will offer online and retail sports wagering to all adults 21 and older physically located within the state’s borders.
Retail sports betting in Connecticut started in September 2021 at the Mashantucket Pequot-owned Foxwoods Casino, which partnered with the heavy-hitter brand DraftKings to operate both its retail and online sportsbook. At the same time, another A-lister, FanDuel, initiated retail sports betting inside Mohegan Sun Casino.
The Connecticut Lottery jumped the retail sports betting bandwagon a month later, on October 25, 2021, by opening the betting windows Sports Haven in New Haven through a Sportech partnership. The Lottery is poised to eventually set up 15 retail sports betting locations across the state.
Rush Street Interactive also joined the party via a partnership with the Connecticut Lottery, launching its SugarHouse brand when online betting opened up but shutdown operations in CT in March 2023.
This guide will cover the best online sportsbooks in Connecticut, the laws and regulators that apply to sports wagering, and other details you need to be aware of before placing your first bets.
List of All Connecticut Sportsbooks
We have analyzed all three of the online sportsbooks currently operating in CT and ordered them below based on our overall rating for them.
Our ratings are based on various factors, including odds, bonuses, user experience, market variety, customer support, banking ,and more.
- FanDuel: Best overall
- Fanatics: Best for prop betting
- DraftKings: Best for live betting
1) FanDuel: Best Overall Sportsbook in Connecticut
FanDuel was one of two sportsbooks to spearhead Connecticut’s sports betting market, launching alongside DraftKings. Their retail partner in the state is Mohegan Sun, where they operate a retail betting shop.
FanDuel is my top-rated sportsbook nationwide, and that naturally carries over to Connecticut. They’re either the best or tied for the best across all major categories: odds, user experience, market variety, and promotions.
One thing I think flies under the radar is how fast FanDuel releases their lines. They’re almost always ahead of the competition, which gives you a chance to lock in early value. I also love how seamless their Same Game Parlay builder is. You can add any eligible market for a game, and it’s automatically included in your parlay. Other apps make this process clunky with separate tabs or pop-ups that slow you down.
That said, FanDuel isn’t perfect. Adding a loyalty program would take things to another level. Also, their NFL teaser pricing is subpar. For two-team, 6-point teasers (Wong Teasers), they offer -130 or even -135, while books like DraftKings stick with the more favorable -120.
FanDuel Sportsbook Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 94/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: Bet $5, Get $250 in Bonus Bets If You Win
- Best Features: Odds competitiveness, market variety
- Biggest Drawbacks: No sportsbook rewards program, not many daily odds boosts
- Number of Sports: 21+
- Payout Speed: Up to 5 business days (typically faster)
- Rewards Program: DFS & Casino only
Check out my full FanDuel Sportsbook review here.
2) Fanatics: Best for Prop Betting in Connecticut
Fanatics partnered with the Connecticut Lottery after Play SugarHouse exited the market, launching their betting app in December 2023. They’ve also set up 10+ retail sportsbooks across the state for those who like to place bets in person.
I’d call Fanatics a souped-up version of PointsBet, which should tell you how highly I think of them. Their app is lightning-fast, and their live betting options are top-notch, featuring micro-betting, live streaming, and in-game Same Game Parlays. The FanCash loyalty program is another solid perk. It’s a cashback system where you earn points on every wager, which you can trade for bonus bets or gear in their apparel store.
One area where Fanatics really stands out is their prop bet odds. While prop pricing can vary depending on the book and the market, Fanatics frequently offers some of the best prices for this bet type.
The biggest drawback is the lack of a desktop platform. Less obvious—but equally frustrating—is how quickly they impose max bet limits on players who get hot.
Fanatics Sportsbook Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 81/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: 10 x $100 Bet Match
- Best Features: Valuable sign-up bonus, competitive prop odds
- Biggest Drawbacks: Confusing interface, no desktop site, quick to limit winners
- Number of Sports: 15
- Payout Speed: Up to 3 business days
- Rewards Program: FanCash Rewards
Check out my Fanatics Sportsbook review here.
3) DraftKings: Best for Live Betting in Connecticut
DraftKings entered Connecticut through a partnership with Foxwoods, launching their online sportsbook on October 19, 2021. They also run a retail sportsbook at Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket.
When it comes to live betting, few sportsbooks match the creativity DraftKings brings to the table. What’s impressive is that this isn’t limited to major leagues—it extends to smaller events, like college basketball games. For example, in a matchup between Central Connecticut State and Chicago State, you might find micro-bets like the exact type of the next field goal or a race to X points. They’re also one of the few sportsbooks offering in-game team and game props, which adds a lot of variety to live betting.
DraftKings pairs their strong live betting options with a fantastic user experience and a steady stream of promos throughout the year. One standout promo is their customizable odds boosts, where you can apply boost tokens to any market you choose. They’re also a great option for golf betting, offering unique futures like whether a player will finish in the top 10 of all majors, often with odds of +2000 or higher—even for top-ranked players.
The only real knock on DraftKings is their odds. While they aren’t bad across the board, they tend to fall short compared to competitors more often than you’d like, which can hurt if you’re chasing maximum value.
DraftKings Sportsbook Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 84/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: Bet $5, get $300 in bonus bets If your bet wins
- Best Features: Market depth, profit boost tokens
- Biggest Drawbacks: Odds are not always competitive, quickly limit winners
- Number of Sports: 25+
- Payout Speed: Up to 5 business days
- Rewards Program: Dynasty Rewards
Check out my DraftKings Sportsbook review here.
How We Rate Online Sportsbooks in CT
We run an in-depth audit of every sportsbook in Connecticut. Each platform is tested hands-on to evaluate all its features. These rankings are dynamic—if a sportsbook’s performance slips or another adds a standout promo or feature, we’ll adjust the rankings immediately to reflect the shift. Our goal is to provide a fair, objective view of the market without any bias.
Here’s what we consider during our evaluation process:
- Odds (20/100): We rate sportsbooks on how their odds compare across Connecticut’s favorite sports. Vig and overall value for spreads, moneylines, and totals play a big role. Books that consistently deliver sharp pricing get the credit they deserve.
- Sign-Up Bonus (15/100): Welcome bonuses aren’t just about size—we also factor in value. We dig into the details like rollovers, restrictions, and expiration dates to make sure Connecticut bettors are getting a fair deal.
- User Experience (UX) (15/100): Great odds don’t matter if the app is clunky. We evaluate how smooth the platform is, how fast it runs, and whether features like biometric login make betting easy for Connecticut users.
- Features (7.5/100): Same Game Parlays, live streaming, cash-out options, bet builders—these tools can elevate the experience. We assess how these features improve the experience for Connecticut sports fans.
- Market Depth (7.5/100): Props, alternate lines, futures, and niche sports—variety is key. We evaluate how deep the betting options go and how well they align with Connecticut’s sports preferences.
- Customer Reviews (5/100): Feedback from Connecticut users on app stores, forums, and social media gives us a real-world perspective on how sportsbooks perform.
- Live Betting (5/100): Live betting is a must these days. From micro-betting (like predicting the next play) to live streaming, we assess how sportsbooks cater to Connecticut’s live betting audience.
- Promotions (5/100): Parlay boosts, bonus bets, loyalty rewards—promos matter. We score sportsbooks on the variety and value of the ongoing deals they offer to Connecticut bettors.
- Support (5/100): Quick and reliable customer support makes all the difference. We test how fast and effective support is across live chat, email, phone, and social media.
- Odds Boosts (5/100): Odds boosts can be a great perk—if they’re actually worth it. We evaluate how frequently they’re offered and whether they deliver value for popular sports in Connecticut.
- Limits (5/100): Bettors don’t want to feel punished for winning. We analyze how quickly sportsbooks impose limits on Connecticut users and whether those limits are reasonable.
- Banking (5/100): Deposits and withdrawals should be stress-free. We rate sportsbooks on how easy it is to manage funds and how quickly payouts hit your account.
To learn more, check out our full Ratings Methodology page.
All Online Sportsbooks in Connecticut
According to the law, the Department of Consumer Protection can only license three online operators, all of which are already live and operational in the state.
Here’s a full breakdown of the operators:
Sportsbook | Tech provider | Launch date | Intro promo |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBTech | October 19, 2021 | Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets + $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket | |
| OpenBet | October 19, 2021 | Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins | |
Fanatics | Amelco | December 2023 | $1,000 in No Sweat Bets |
Physical Sportsbooks in Connecticut
According to the tribal gaming compacts and the sports wagering and iGaming law, each of the two tribes in the state is permitted to operate a retail sportsbook, while the Connecticut State Lottery is allowed to set up 15 retail betting venues.
In cooperation with Sportech, an exclusive provider of Connecticut’s off-track betting systems for more than 25 years, Connecticut has opened retail sportsbooks at Winners OTB’s Sports Haven and Bobby V's Restaurant & Sports Bar locations in Bradley and Stamford.
The Bobby V's Restaurant & Sports Bar locations feature over 20 betting kiosks, a sports bar menu, and teller betting in Winners OTB.
Here is where you can place in-person bets in Connecticut:
- Fanatics Sportsbook at Winners Hartford: 121 Brainard Road, Hartford, CT 06114
- FanDuel at Mohegan Sun: 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville, CT 06382
- Fanatics Sportsbook at Bobby V's Stamford: 268 Atlantic Street, Stamford, CT 06901
- DraftKings at Foxwoods Resort Casino: 350 Trolley Line Blvd, Ledyard, CT 06338
- Fanatics Sportsbook at Winners Milford: 89 Roses Mill Road, Milford, CT 06460
- Fanatics Sportsbook at Arooga's Sports Bar: 387 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton, CT 06484
- Fanatics Sportsbook at Winners New Britain: 160 East Main Street, New Britain, CT 06051
- Fanatics Sportsbook at Winners Manchester: 103 Tolland Turnpike, Manchester, CT 06042
- Fanatics Sportsbook at Winners Waterbury: 155 Thomaston Avenue, Waterbury, CT 06710
- Fanatics Sportsbook at Bobby V's Windsor Locks: 11 Schoephoester Road, Windsor Locks, CT 06096
- Fanatics Sportsbook at Winners Sports Haven: 600 Long Wharf Drive, New Haven, CT 06511
- Fanatics Sportsbook at XL Center Sports Bar: 1 Civic Center Plaza, Hartford, CT 06103
Team Partnerships with Connecticut Sportsbooks
Ever since the NHL’s Hartford Whalers relocated from Hartford, Connecticut to North Carolina in 1997 and became known as the Carolina Hurricanes, the Nutmeg State has not had a professional sports team in major-league competitions.
However, with regulated sports betting on the rise and the arrival of FanDuel and DraftKings, it’s expected these companies will partner with some pro teams that CT residents are typically fans of, such as New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, and Boston Celtics.
Connecticut Sports Betting Timeline
It seems that no other state in the U.S. has managed to roll out sports betting faster than Connecticut. The soft opening of retail and online sportsbooks happened in less than 5 months from the moment the legal framework was established.
Betting has been around Connecticut in one form or another for quite some time, and these are the most important moments in the state’s sports wagering history:
- January 14, 2021: Bill SB 146 was introduced to allow native tribes to offer online casino gaming and sports betting.
- March 18, 2021: Legislators reach agreements with native tribes to include them in the process of deciding on the status of sports betting in the state.
- May 13, 2021: The Connecticut Lottery calls for interested parties to submit online sports betting partnerships applications.
- May 27, 2021: The initial Bill SB146 expands into the bill HB6451 signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont.
- September 15, 2021: The new tribal compacts between Connecticut and the Mohegan Indians are ratified and come into effect, thus allowing the tribe to set up online casino gaming and sports wagering.
- September 30, 2021: Retail sportsbooks at Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun open for business.
- October 12, 2021: Online Connecticut sportsbooks open with a soft launch.
- October 19, 2021: Full-scale online and retail sports betting and online casino gaming are inaugurated.
- March 31, 2023: SugarHouse shuts down operations in Connecticut.
- December 1, 2023: The Connecticut Lottery selects Fanatics as its new sports betting partner, replacing SugarHouse following its exit from the state.
- December 13, 2023: Fanatics begins a soft launch of its sports betting platform in Connecticut, marking its first step into the state's market.
- January 22, 2025: State Representative Tony Scott introduces five bills aimed at reforming Connecticut's sports betting laws. The proposed changes include legalizing betting on in-state college teams, capping sportsbook hold percentages, and allowing bettors to self-exclude from specific bet types and sports.
- January 24, 2025: Representative Christopher Rosario proposes House Bill 6051 to legalize sports betting during flights to and from Connecticut. This comes on the heels of a recent partnership between DraftKings and a major U.S. airline.
Connecticut Sports Betting Rules & Regulations
Getting started with online sports wagering in Connecticut is simple, but you should know about some legal requirements to make sure you have a smooth betting experience.
Who Can Bet in Connecticut?
All persons over the age of 21 and physically located in Connecticut may take part in real money wagering. You don’t have to be a resident to bet.
To register an account, you need to provide personal information to the online and/or retail sports betting operator. The information includes and is not limited to:
- Name
- Address
- Email address
- Date of birth
- Last 4 digits of your
- Social Security number
Note that operators will use geolocation software to make sure that you are within the state border when placing a real money bet.
Using the Connecticut online sports betting apps comes with the geolocation software built-in, while you may be required to download the software for your desktop device.
Licensing Details and Tax Rates
Online and retail sportsbooks are licensed by the Department of Consumer Protection, imposing a 13.75% tax rate on sports wagering to all operators. The license agreements are issued for 10 years with a possible 5-year extension.
The legislators expect all newly-legalized forms of gambling to bring in about $80 million in revenue, including sports betting.
Betting Limits and Restrictions
All three online sportsbooks to offer sports wagering and their retail counterparts must comply with specific rules related to the bet types accepted.
Namely, you can place all types of bets on professional sporting events for all sports, including pre-match and live bets on minor league baseball, tennis, and even mixed martial arts.
However, you can only bet on any of the Connecticut college teams when those teams are playing in an intercollegiate tournament including at least four Connecticut teams. Otherwise, bets on college teams will not be accepted.
Connecticut Sports Betting FAQs
Is sports betting legal in Connecticut?
As of May 27, 2021, and the Governor’s signing the Bill HB6451 into law, sports betting is considered entirely legal and regulated.
When did Connecticut sportsbooks become open for business?
The first retail sportsbooks at Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun tribal land-based casinos opened for business on September 30, 2021. A month later, a retail sportsbook run by the Connecticut State Lottery opened at Sports Haven. The soft launch of online sports betting took place on October 12, 2021, while the fully open sportsbooks emerged a week later.
How old do I have to be to place bets in Connecticut?
You have to be 21 or older to place a real money bet in Connecticut sportsbooks.
Do I have to be a resident of Connecticut to bet?
No, you simply need to be physically present in CT to place a bet.
Are there any retail sportsbooks in Connecticut?
There are several retail sportsbooks in Connecticut at the moment, two of which are located at Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun Casino, respectively, and two more at Bobby V's and Winners OTB’s locations run by the state lottery. There can be a total of 15 retail locations under the jurisdiction of the lottery.
Is daily fantasy sports legal in Connecticut?
Daily fantasy sports are entirely legal in Connecticut following the legislation passed in 2017 legalizing and authorizing fantasy sports.
Are offshore sportsbooks legal in Connecticut?
Offshore sports betting sites, like Bovada, are not legal in Connecticut. Only those online casinos and sports wagering sites that have received a license from the Department of Consumer Protection can offer betting options for players.
