Connecticut Sports Betting: Best Connecticut Betting Sites in 2024

Online sports betting is legal in Connecticut, with three sportsbooks available to bettors in the state. 2021 proved a decisive year for Connecticut's sports wagering industry — as legislators finally agreed on rules and regulations for an internet-based sports betting infrastructure.

Today, bettors can choose to bet with DraftKings, FanDuel, or Fanatics, the latter being a new addition to the scene. Here, I take you through all you need to know about online sportsbooks in Connecticut, including the state's betting history, current promotions, and which teams to back.

Is Online Sports Betting legal in Connecticut?

After much back and forth, Connecticut launched legal online sports betting in October 2021. Its release wasn't without issue, though, as short delays scuttled the state's initial plans to allow online betting from October 7. The new date, October 19, oversaw a clean launch of sports betting in Connecticut.

The Constitution State permits three sportsbooks to operate in the area. DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook have been there from launch day, whereas Fanatics Sportsbook replaced the now-defunct CT SugarHouse Sportsbook in early 2024. Online sportsbooks must partner with one of the state's three licensees — The Connecticut Lottery, Mohegan Tribe, and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation — so Fanatics essentially took the baton from SugarHouse upon its closure by acquiring a license from the state's lottery.

Connecticut Sports Betting Updates & Timeline

• 2018: The state's Public Safety and Security Committee discusses legal sports betting for the first time. MLB and NBA representatives are present at the meeting — each seeking to profit from a potential sports betting industry through 1% royalties.
• 2019: After significant chatter following positive initial discussions, Connecticut lawmakers focus on other issues during 2019's session. Sports betting would have to wait at least one more year.
• 2020: HB 5168 and SB 21 are struck down following the year's legislative session. Both bills would have integrated legal sports betting centred around tribal platforms.
• Early 2021: Years of debate climax with an agreement as the CT Lottery, Mohegan Tribe, and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation set terms for a sports wagering framework. Retail betting is dated for September, while internet sports betting is set for October.
• The key to this agreement is HB 6451. Gov. Lamont signs the bill into law after it received support from both sides of the house — providing incoming sportsbooks the opportunity to view Connecticut as a potential destination.
• Mid 2021: The deal between the three licensees leaves room for a trio of sports betting websites to enter the state. FanDuel partners with the Mohegan Tribe, the Lottery pens a contract with SugarHouse Sportsbook, and DraftKings prepares to work with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. All three slots are filled by summer.
• September's retail sports betting launch is expected to be followed by online wagering on October 7. However, a governmental delay halts progress — forcing bettors to wait another 12 days before hitting the virtual stalls.
• October 2021: Online sports betting goes live at 6:00 am on October 19.
• 2022: The state reports $1 billion in sports betting handle during its first year in operation.
• 2023: Rush Street Interactive takes SugarHouse out of Connecticut in December. Wagers up to February's Super Bowl will be processed. Fanatics Sportsbook replaces SugarHouse almost immediately — joining FanDuel and DraftKings as the third sports betting instalment in the region.

Best Sports Betting Sites Currently Available in Connecticut

Three online sportsbooks are available to Connecticut bettors right now, with FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics all offering unique betting options. Here, I break down each site's most impressive features — and you'll see how all three platforms stack up against one another.

DraftKings Sportsbook Connecticut

DraftKings Sportsbook signed an agreement with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation to partner with its Foxwoods Resort Casino in 2021. This contract allowed the gambling titan to enter Connecticut as a sports betting provider, with it now serving as a purveyor of fantastic odds across 20+ sports, rewarding welcome bonuses, and ongoing offers for existing customers.

New users can claim a Bet $5 Get $200 welcome bonus for creating an account, while regulars of the platform are eligible for same-game parlay insurance tokens, refer-a-friend boosts, and other great packages.

To learn more about DraftKings Sportsbook visit our review here. 

FanDuel Sportsbook Connecticut

FanDuel put pen to paper on a deal with the Mohegan Tribe in 2021. In turn, the sports betting site joined Connecticut as an extension of Mohegan Sun Casino.

Like its in-state competitors, the betting site FanDuel is a household name in the US. Boasting the NBA, NHL, MLB, NFL, MLS, domestic divisions, and foreign markets, there are options for every type of punter at this sportsbook.

Few legal online sportsbooks can match the intrigue brought about by FanDuel's new customer offer, either. As is currently standard among top operators, FanDuel delivers a bonus bet welcome package...but there's a twist.

You'll only qualify for the promotion if your initial wager wins. Just stake $5 to try your hand at winning $150 in bonus bets.

Fanatics Sportsbook Connecticut

The latest addition to Connecticut's legal online betting infrastructure is Fanatics Sportsbook; an operator delivering sports markets exclusively to iOS and Android users.

Replacing SugarHouse was never going to be easy. Yet, Fanatics Sportsbook has settled into its new role with aplomb — onboarding thousands of new bettors since its inception in CT.

Backed by FanCash — a unique currency used to reward customers via its loyalty program — users can buy merchandise, grab bonus bets, and acquire other cool rewards from the Fanatics Sportsbook platform.

Another high-quality function of the Fanatics app is its live streaming feature. With it, you can tune in to your favorite action, bringing punters even closer to the heart of North America's biggest sports.

All of this is possible thanks to the sportsbook's deal with the Connecticut Lottery. In addition to online sports betting, 10+ retail locations sprinkled across the state allow for in-person wagering at licensed terminals.

Connecticut Sportsbooks Hoping to Launch Soon 

As Connecticut's law states that the Connecticut Lottery, Mohegan Tribe, and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation may partner with one sports betting operator at a time, there are currently no vacancies in the state.

However, the industry is an ever-evolving beast and things can change in an instant — with SugarHouse's recent exit from CT evidencing that fact.

With that in mind, here are my picks for potential arrivals in Connecticut if and when a spot becomes available.

• BetMGM Sportsbook — Massive name, great odds, and fantastic rewards program.
• Caesars Sportsbook — Swathes of offers all year round.
• BetRivers Sportsbook — The most diverse range of markets with 30+ sports.

Best Sportsbook Promos in Connecticut 

A vast slate of offers forms Connecticut's sports betting scene. All three online sportsbook platforms display a willingness to reward new and existing punters – a vital component of a successful gambling industry.

Let's look at a couple of Connecticut's best online sports betting bonuses.

Bet $5 Get $200 at FanDuel

Are you often frustrated by sports betting bonuses that appear rewarding on first viewing but fail to live up to the hype?

Then you'll like FanDuel's bonus offer of 'Bet $5 Get $200' welcome package — it does exactly what it says on the tin.

This offer rewards all bettors who deposit $10+ and wager $5 with $200 in bonus bets if the first wager wins. It's unique in this way, with most competitors offering bonus bets for bettors who lose the first time around.

Best of all, you keep the winnings if your qualifying wager comes good. Just remember to use all $200 within the following week, as FanDuel places a 7-day active window on this deal.

Bet $5 Get $200 at DraftKings Sportsbook

Few sports betting sites can mount a challenge toward DraftKings, and for good reason. The operator has amassed a large following since it arrived in Connecticut — delivering hundreds of markets to users every day. DraftKings latest welcome offer emphasizes their dominance in the US, as brand-new customers can earn $200 in bonus bets when they bet $5.

Deposit and wager $5 on any sports market to qualify for the deal. You will then receive $200 in bonus bets regardless of the outcome of your bet.

A 7-day window applies to this DraftKings Sportsbook welcome package.

Requirements to Play at Connecticut Sports Betting Sites

Very few restrictions are implanted on bettors' heads when it comes to sports betting in Connecticut. When the state agreed to a tribal gaming compact in 2021, lawmakers tabled a handful of fair stipulations.

For one, players at sports betting sites must be aged 21+. All three online sportsbooks utilize verification protocols to ensure that users meet this age limit — and any operator that fails to adhere to this crucial rule faces punishment.

It's also worth noting that you can only bet on Connecticut's college teams when they participate in an intercollegiate tournament. It's an odd rule, but given the restriction on college sports betting in other US regions, CT residents should be pleased that this type of wagering is legal at all. On a similar note, sports team employees are banned from signing up on Connecticut sports betting platforms.

Lastly, betting at Connecticut sportsbooks is available from within state lines.

Popular Sports & Leagues to Bet on in Connecticut

Connecticut online sports betting has come on leaps and bounds since its inception in 2021. Top sports leagues have played a major role in the state's success — with fans flocking to online sportsbooks to back their favorite NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL teams, among others.

Connecticut Sport Leagues

Never much of a state for major professional leagues, Connecticut's sports scene is dominated by minor professional competition. March Madness stands as a perfect example of Connecticut's adoration for college events — with thousands of fans tuning in to the popular annual basketball tournament. The USL, AHL, WNBA Championship, and Calder Cup also accrue significant attention in the area.

Followers of elite professional leagues focus on sports where nearby franchises operate. The MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL all boast historic sides located near Connecticut — so fans can easily journey to games in New England and New York. More pertinently, you can get behind outcomes in each of these elite divisions on Fanatics, FanDuel, and DraftKings.

Connecticut Teams to Bet On

The lack of major professional teams hasn't dampened the spirits of Connecticut's sports fans. Smaller professional outfits like the Connecticut Sun, Hartford Athletic, Bridgeport Islanders, and the Hartford Wolf Pack are all accessible via in-state sports betting sites.

Mainstream major league teams — like the New York Giants, New England Patriots, Boston Bruins, Boston Red Sox, and Boston Celtics — garner the most attention in Connecticut. With most sides fewer than 5 hours away, it's an open secret that a large portion of attending supporters arrived from Connecticut. Chances are, many of those watching also had a flutter on bets ahead of the game, too.

What You Can't Bet On In Connecticut

The state's open-mindedness toward sports betting means bettors can wager on virtually every major event in the US. The only true exception is college sports betting — but even then, the restriction only applies to non-tournament games. Other exceptions include:

• Politics — As much as many would like to back political candidates on betting websites, the state only allows residents to show support in the voting booth.
• Injuries — You can't bet on a potential injury for a competitor in a sports event

Other Types of Gambling in Connecticut

Two retail casinos, Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun Casino, offer a legal avenue for CT residents to access casino games. Slots, table games, and bingo are available in both establishments.

And, despite not hosting a horse racing track, Connecticut is home to several OTB — Off-Track Betting — terminals. These terminals serve as access points to the day's racing action, and all are operated by the UK-based company, Sportech.

The CT Lottery launched in the early 1970s when gambling in the area was gaining traction. Today, the state's lottery commission also licenses retail and online sports betting operations by Fanatics Sportsbooks. For in-person sports betting with Fanatics, head to The XL Center, Bobby V's, Aroogas, and other licensed spots in the state.

Upcoming States to License Online Sports Betting Sites

The demise of PASPA in 2018 heralded a new era for US sports betting. Connecticut joined a quickly expanding list of states to legalize online sports betting in 2021, with neighboring regions getting in on the act during a similar period.

Some regions are set for crucial talks in the coming year or two. I've outlined some of the most promising stories, here.

• South Carolina — HB 3749 was presented during the 2023 legislative session and would make room for 8 new sports betting platforms. The bill is yet to be discussed in 2024's session, but I expect an update on South Carolina betting before state representatives take a break in May.
• Georgia — The situation in Georgia is heating up as we speak, with several sports betting bills introduced during 2024's legislative session. Voters must vote to amend the state's constitution before bringing legalized sports betting to Georgia — leaving the issue up in the air.
• Alabama — Alabama senators need little convincing when it comes to legalizing online sportsbooks. A real push for sports betting in Alabama could culminate in success in 2024, with positivity surrounding bills HB 151 and HB 152 at the start of the year. It's a rapidly changing situation, so keep your eyes peeled for more news soon.

Overview of Connecticut Sports Betting Sites

Whether you're an avid sports bettor or new to the industry, one fact remains true for Connecticut's players: three of the nation's best sports betting platforms are available to you.

DraftKings Sportsbook, Fanatics Sportsbook, and FanDuel's sports betting platform all provide top-notch odds, bonuses, and loyalty packages, and supply easy access to major markets across the globe. Followers of the AHL, NBA, NFL, NHL, MLS, USL, and other sports are catered to — with niche picks like Jai Alai, greyhound racing, darts, cycling, and rugby also making the cut.

Sign up now with any of DraftKings, FanDuel, or Fanatics to claim your exclusive sports welcome offer.

Connecticut Sports Betting FAQ