Want to place real money sports bets in the Constitution State? Find the best Connecticut sportsbooks and the top betting bonuses at Gambling Spotlight.
Interested in placing real money sports bets in Connecticut, but not quite sure where to start? You’re in the right place. Our guide takes you through everything you need to know about sports betting in the Constitution State, covering why you should only play at licensed sites, how to place online sports wagers, and more besides. We also include mini reviews of Connecticut betting sites, so you’ll be ideally placed to compare your options and choose the sportsbook that’s right for you.
Are online betting sites legal in Connecticut?
Yes, legal sports betting is live in Connecticut. This is thanks to the state’s new gambling legislation signed by Gov. Ned Lamont in May 2021. The move legalized both in-person and online sports betting, while also allowing the state’s Native American tribal casinos to offer online casino gambling. Retail sports betting locations started opening their doors in September 2021, with the first online sportsbooks following in October 2021.
Connecticut doesn’t have a dedicated gaming commission, leaving regulation of the state’s sports betting industry to the Connecticut State Department of Consumer Affairs (DCP). The DCP also sets out rules for bettors, who must be 21 or over, have a valid social security number, and be physically located within state lines when placing a bet.
Why play at a licensed Connecticut online betting site?
Licensed Connecticut sports betting sites are carefully monitored to ensure they provide safe gambling platforms and maintain the highest standards in legal sports betting. You can rely on licensed sites to process your data securely, set out clear T&Cs for betting bonuses, and provide access to responsible gambling tools. Serious complaints against licensed sites are rare, though bettors can feel confident in the support of the DCP should one arise. The same can’t be said of unlicensed sites.
Why should I avoid offshore online sportsbooks?
It’s possible to find offshore sportsbooks that accept Connecticut customers, but it’s not something we recommend to anyone. Offshore sites that aren’t licensed to operate in the the state’s may appear reputable, with their flashy designs and generous bonuses, but you can’t always judge a book by its cover. Using these sportsbooks, you might struggle to access customer support or find that payouts are slow to arrive – if they show up at all. In fact, there’s nothing to stop an offshore site from taking your money and disappearing, so it’s far safer to stick to licensed sports betting sites in the Nutmeg State.
How to identify a legal online betting site in Connecticut
All the sportsbooks we feature on Gambling Spotlight tick the right boxes when it comes to sports wagering in Connecticut. We only ever recommend legal, licensed sites to our visitors.
However, if you’d like to double-check that you’re playing at a legal online betting site, it’s simple enough to do so. Legitimate sites are keen to show off their credentials and will clearly state on their homepage that they hold a license from the Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection. You can also confirm the status of a site by going to the DCP’s license lookup page and searching the name of the sportsbook.
Which online betting sites can Connecticut residents play at?
Ready to find out a little more about legal online betting sites for Connecticut residents and visitors? Here’s a quick overview of each of the licensed operators in the state.
DraftKings
DraftKings made its name in daily fantasy sports (DFS) but has since built an equally impressive reputation as a sports betting provider. The DraftKings new member welcome offer sees Connecticut bettors able to claim a matched deposit bonus worth up to $1,000, which can help get any betting bankroll off to a good start. There are also plenty of ongoing promos for existing customers, a great mobile betting app, free-to-enter pools contests, live betting options, and an impressive choice of sports markets to wager on.
FanDuel
Another DFS provider turned sports betting operator, FanDuel welcomes new bettors with a $1,000 risk-free bet offer. Simply place your first wager, and you’ll get your stake refunded in bonus bet credits should it lose. The FanDuel site is easy to navigate, and customers can also download a mobile betting app for Android or iOS.
Other top features available at FanDuel include a wide range of sports betting markets, in-play betting options, and free-to-play games like Million Dollar Picks and NFL Season Predictor.
PlaySugarHouse
The Connecticut Lottery’s official sports betting partner, PlaySugarHouse is surely destined to become a firm favorite with bettors thanks to a $250 matched deposit welcome offer. This package comes with the added perk of a highly player-friendly 1x wagering requirement, meaning that bettors have a real chance of making a profit from the bonus. PlaySugarHouse offers an array of other excellent features too, including a native mobile app, special bets, and live streaming of NHL games.
Connecticut’s land-based bookmakers
Are there any retail sportsbooks in Connecticut? Absolutely. Here’s a list of all the locations where you can wager in person in the Provisions State.
| Land-based sportsbook | Address |
| Mohegan Sun (Tribal) | 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd, Uncasville, CT 06382 |
| Foxwoods Resort Casino (Tribal) | 350 Trolley Line Blvd, Ledyard, CT 06338 |
| Bobby V’s Restaurant & Sports Bar, Stamford | 268 Atlantic St, Stamford, CT 06901 |
| Bobby V’s Restaurant & Sports Bar, Windsor Locks | 11 Schoephoester Rd, Windsor Locks, CT 06096 |
| Winners Sports Haven | 600 Long Wharf Dr, New Haven, CT 06511 |
| Winners New Britain | 160 E Main St, New Britain, CT 06051 |
| Winners Hartford | 121 Brainard Road, Hartford, CT 06114 |
| Winners Waterbury | 155 Thomaston Avenue, Waterbury, CT 06710 |
| Winners Manchester | 103 Tolland Turnpike, Manchester, CT 06042 |
| Winners Milford | 89 Roses Mill Road, Milford, CT 06460 |
| Winners Torrington | 141 Water Street, Torrington, CT 06790 |
| Winners Norwalk (Coming soon) | 24 Burnell Blvd, Norwalk, CT 06850 |
How to bet on sports with real money
If you’re new to sports betting, you might be wondering how to go about wagering on your favorite events for money. Here’s a step-by-step guide to signing up for a new online sportsbook account and placing your first bet.
- Browse our list of licensed online sportsbooks to compare features and bonus offers. This will help you decide which Connecticut sportsbook suits you best.
- Click our link to head over to your preferred site’s sign-up page. Here, you will need to enter some details like your name and address and potentially provide some ID to verify that you are who you say you are. Don’t forget to use any bonus code that might be required to claim the welcome offer.
- Unless you’ve spotted a no deposit free bet bonus – which you will usually receive automatically when you complete the registration process – you’ll need to make your first deposit. Head to the cashier page to do so.
- Select your preferred payment method and confirm your deposit amount. If you’re claiming a welcome bonus, be sure to check the T&Cs to see if there’s a minimum deposit required or if you need to use a particular banking option.
- Most payment methods offer instant deposits, so you can browse the sports betting markets and start placing bets immediately. Good luck!
Which sports can I bet on in Connecticut?
You can bet on a huge variety of sports in Connecticut, including competitions like the Masters and US Open tennis, along with international sporting events like English Premier League (EPL) football matches. Here’s a taste of some of the sports featured at Connecticut betting sites.
- Football (incl. NFL)
- Basketball (incl. NBA)
- Baseball (incl. MLB)
- Hockey (incl. NHL)
- Soccer (incl. MLS)
- Boxing
- Golf
- Tennis
- Motorsports (incl. NASCAR)
- Cricket
- MMA
College sports wagering is permitted, but you can only bet on in-state squads if they’re playing in an intercollegiate tournament involving four or more teams.
Local sports teams to bet on
Connecticut doesn’t have a huge selection of professional sports teams, but you should be able to find sportsbook markets for the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun.
Providing they’re competing in qualifying tournaments, you can also back college teams including:
- Central Connecticut Blue Devils
- Connecticut Huskies
- Fairfield Stags
- Hartford Hawks
- Quinnipiac Bobcats
- Sacred Heart Pioneers
- Yale Bulldogs
Betting Markets
You’ll find plenty of ways to wager at top Connecticut betting sites, including:
- Moneylines – Straightforward bets that simply require you to pick the winner of a game, match, tournament, or any other sporting contest.
- Point spreads – Back the favorite to win – or the underdog to lose – by a points margin set by the bookie.
- Prop bets – Propositions wagers aren’t concerned with the outcome of an event, but rather with individual situations, such as which team or player will score next.
- Futures – Futures betting is all about predicting the outcome of a tournament or championship such as the PGA Tour, the Stanley Cup, or the Super Bowl.
- Totals – Also called over/under bets, these markets let bettors predict if a certain statistic will end up above or below a threshold set by the sportsbook. For example, whether there’ll be more than three goals scored in a football match or not.
- Parlays – Cumulative bets in which bettors place multiple wagers on the same slip. All bets need to win for the parlay to produce a payout, but the combined odds mean payouts can be much bigger than individual wagers.
- Live betting – Top Connecticut sports betting sites allow bettors to wager even when the action has already gotten underway. In-play betting odds shift up and down depending on how the sporting event is playing out.
Mobile betting apps in Connecticut
All licensed sports betting sites in the Constitution State have launched mobile betting apps to complement their desktop and mobile websites. These betting apps are available for both Android and iOS, so Connecticut gamblers who want to place bets on the go shouldn’t have any problems downloading them to their favorite mobile device.
With just a few taps, you could be checking the latest betting odds, placing mobile sports bets, or cashing out your winnings. Due to the efficient way they’re engineered, native sportsbook apps often provide faster updates than browser-based sites, which can be an advantage when you’re making split-second decisions on live bets. Plus, you can enable push notifications to alert you to the latest free bet bonuses and promotions.
Connecticut betting payment methods
Connecticut sportsbooks offer various banking options, so you should find it easy to deposit and withdraw funds. Just bear in mind that you can only register a single debit or credit card at any individual betting site, and you won’t be able to use PayPal.
Deposit
Connecticut sports betting sites tend to process deposits instantly, so you can start placing wagers in no time. Common payment options accepted at online sports betting websites include:
- Credit and debit cards, including Visa and Mastercard
- PayNearMe
- ACH/eCheck
- Play+ prepaid cards
- Cash deposits at retail sportsbooks
- Online bank transfer
Withdrawal
There are often fewer withdrawal options available at sports betting sites, and how long you’ll wait to receive your payout will vary between sites and banking methods. Here are some of the options you should find available:
- ACH/eCheck
- Play+ prepaid cards
- Cash withdrawals at retail sportsbooks
- Check by mail
- Online bank transfer
History of gambling in Connecticut
Wondering how Connecticut bettors found themselves with legal sports betting options? Here are some of the key steps that led to the arrival of legal sports betting in the Nutmeg State.
2017 – Connecticut lawmakers pass legislation to establish a regulatory structure for sports betting, pending the lifting of a blanket ban on the practice by the federal government.
2018 – The US Supreme Court declares the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) unlawful. This decision allows individual states to legalize and regulate sports betting.
2020 – Two pieces of sports betting legislation fail to gain traction with Connecticut state lawmakers.
2021 – New legislation is agreed upon, with Governor Ned Lamont signing HB 6451 into law in May. The first retail sportsbooks open at Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resorts casinos in September. After a short soft launch period, online sports betting goes live in the state in October. The three licensed online operators are FanDuel, DraftKings, and PlaySugarHouse, the latter in partnership with the Connecticut Lottery.
Problem gambling support in Connecticut
Sports betting can be a fun way to spend some free time, but problem gambling habits can develop, such as spending beyond a set budget or neglecting personal relationships in favor of betting. The following organizations offer advice and support to problem gamblers in Connecticut. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch:
Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling
Phone: 888-789-7777
National Council on Problem Gambling
Phone: 1-800-522-4700
Gamblers Anonymous
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
Phone: 855-2CALL-GA
Ready to place bets at Connecticut sportsbooks?
Now you’ve got the lowdown on sports betting in the Provisions State and know what to expect, you might want to give it a try. You’ll find detailed info on licensed sports betting sites in Connecticut right here on this page. Simply follow our link to your favorite site to claim your sports betting welcome bonus and enjoy backing your top teams and athletes.
FAQs
Is online betting legal in Connecticut?
Yes, so long as you’re 21 or over and using a licensed sports betting site.
How do I know if I’m playing at a licensed Connecticut online sportsbook?
You can be sure that all the Connecticut online sportsbooks that feature on our site hold the appropriate license from the state’s Department of Consumer Affairs (DCP). You can confirm this by looking on the homepage of the sportsbook or by heading to the DCP website to search for specific license holders.
Will I be taxed for my gambling winnings?
Winnings by Connecticut residents and visitors are subject to both state and federal taxes.
Non-residents aren’t subject to state-level income tax.
What other forms of gambling are allowed in Connecticut?
Along with online and retail sports betting, CT gamblers can enjoy in-person and online casino gambling, daily fantasy sports, pari-mutuel wagering, and the Connecticut Lottery.
Do you need to be in Connecticut to play at a Connecticut online sportsbook?
Yes. You’ll need to be located inside Connecticut state lines to place a bet. Online sportsbooks use geolocation technology to confirm your physical presence in the state.
Is Connecticut online betting fair?
Yes, but this is only guaranteed at licensed sites. Betting at offshore sportsbooks puts your money and personal details at risk.
Which is the best online betting site in Connecticut?
That depends on your personal preferences. Different sites have their own features and promotions that will appeal to different players. If you like, you can sign up for more than one sports betting site to see which suits you best.
Are there any new online betting sites in Connecticut?
All the licensed sportsbooks in Connecticut have only launched in the last few months. That’s not to say they haven’t been going strong in other states for longer. DraftKings, for example, started offering real money sports wagering back in 2018.