Connecticut Sports Betting

Bordering one of the biggest sports betting states in the country, Connecticut started taking wagers in October 2021 after negotiating with local tribes for years in order to make this dream a reality for gamblers within the state. While CT sports betting does not have nearly the same number of sportsbook options or wagering opportunities as does its neighbor New York, the mere fact that betting is currently legal there is still viewed as a win despite those limitations.

On this page, you will find everything you need to know about Connecticut's best sportsbook promos from the state's leading sports betting sites. Even though Connecticut sports betting is limited due to the number of sportsbooks available, that has not stopped them from offering top promos and bonuses to the state's gamblers, which are listed below.

The Best Sportsbook Betting Sites in Connecticut

The nation's two biggest sportsbook chains were the first to officially launch CT sports betting on Oct. 19, 2021 – FanDuel and DraftKings. Joining the ranks more recently as the third and latest entry into the Connecticut sports betting market has been Fanatics Sportsbook. Among those three big brands, Connecticut sports bettors get quality over quantity.

1. Fanatics Sportsbook Connecticut

One of the most creative CT sportsbook promos out there is available courtesy of Fanatics, whose name is usually more synonymous with sports apparel and memorabilia. The marketers at Fanatics have crafted a Connecticut sportsbook bonus offer that can earn you up to $1,000 in the form of $100 daily for 10 days when you wager $100. Keep in mind, your daily wager is matched each day up to $100 with that number being the max for a grand total of $1,000.

Partnered with the Connecticut Lottery, Fanatics Sportsbook has 10 retail locations available for CT bettors, including at the XL Center in Hartford, the Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, and at Sports Haven in New Haven. Some of these locations double as sports bars that also offer betting kiosks in addition to the traditional sportsbook betting windows.

When you factor in the total value of this Connecticut sports betting promo, it is easy to see why Fanatics Sportsbook ranks as the best Connecticut sportsbook right now. Of course, sportsbook promos are subject to change, so keep coming back to this page for updates.

2. FanDuel Connecticut

FanDuel is partnered with a familiar name to Connecticut gamblers in the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino. Sports bettors can wager in person at the Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook either at kiosks or at the window, or they can use the CT online sportsbook app. There are 39 sports betting kiosks available at the Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook as well as a 140-foot video wall to watch sporting events, plus a restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat. You can reserve a seat online at the sportsbook to guarantee yourself a spot.

FanDuel Connecticut's current sportsbook promo nets bettors $200 for placing an initial $5 wager. This CT sports betting offer is for new customers only, and you will have $200 in bonus bets available in your FanDuel account within 72 hours if your wager wins. There is a $5 minimum deposit required in order to place the $5 wager, which can be done when opening an account. However, you would have to play through the entire $200 in bonus bets before being able to withdraw any potential winnings, so keep that in mind.

3. DraftKings Connecticut

Similar to FanDuel, DraftKings has established a partnership with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation at Foxwoods Resort Casino to have a retail CT sportsbook location. The DraftKings Sportsbook at Foxwoods is over 12,000 square feet covering two stories with a 50-foot-by-30-foot LED screen, two full bars with 24 beers on tap, and a full restaurant. You can place your bets at the sportsbook window, via the app, or at one of the 36 kiosks there.

The latest DraftKings promo for new customers is also comparable to that of FanDuel where you can "Bet $5, Get $200", and it does not matter if you win or lose. This is available to new customers only, and there is a similar playthrough requirement in order to cash out bonus bets. For example, you can withdraw winnings from each of the eight $25 bonus bets after you wager that amount to fulfill the requirement. But you cannot just cash out $25 before betting it. It is essentially a free $25 to try to win more.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Connecticut?

The Connecticut General Assembly passed House Bill 6541 in May 2021, which legalized online casino gaming, retail and online sports betting, fantasy contests, keno, and the online sale of lottery tickets. Five months later, FanDuel and DraftKings became the first sportsbook operators in the state, making CT sports betting official with the first wagers. Since then, Fanatics Sportsbook has joined the fray and helped the Connecticut sports betting handle hit nearly $150 million in June 2024, up over 62% from June 2023.

In fact, it took the state just six months in 2024 to reach $1 billion in total handle compared to nine months a year ago. Of that amount, $100.66 million in revenue was collected by CT online sportsbooks, translating to a hold of 10.32%, according to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. This further backs up the point that it is more about the quality of the sportsbooks than the quantity. CT sports betting is bigger than ever before, and the handle just keeps on growing from year to year. The market may be small, but the numbers are growing at a record pace, which bodes very well for the future there.

Legal Sportsbooks in Connecticut

Connecticut Online Sportsbooks:

• DraftKings Sportsbook
• FanDuel Sportsbook
• Fanatics Sportsbook
• PlaySugarHouse Sportsbook

Connecticut Retail Sportsbooks:

• DraftKings Sportsbook at Foxwoods Resort Casino - Mashantucket, CT
• FanDuel Sportsbook at Mohegan Sun Casino - Uncasville, CT
• PlaySugarHouse Sportsbook - Various locations including Bobby V's Restaurant & Sports Bar in Stamford and Windsor Locks

What Are the Legal Requirements for Sports Betting in Connecticut?

The main legal requirement for CT sports wagering is that you need to be at least 21 years of age and within state limits to wager at approved Connecticut sports betting sites. If you do not meet either of these criteria, you will not be able to place bets in the state.

Age Requirement

Being 21 or older is the first qualification because you will not be able to sign up for a CT online sportsbook account if you are not of legal age. You must be 21 or older to enter Connecticut casinos as well, which means you would not be able to bet at sportsbooks there, either. Providing a valid photo ID is the proof needed to meet this requirement.

Approved Sportsbooks

DraftKings and FanDuel were the first two approved Connecticut sportsbooks back in 2021, well before Fanatics Sportsbook launched in December 2023. The trio combined to bring in more than $300 million in Connecticut sports betting handle in May and June of 2024. The betting handle was nearly $190 million in March when the UConn Huskies men's basketball team was making a run at their sixth national championship, which was won on April 8.

State Limits

In order to place wagers at Connecticut sportsbooks, you must be within state limits. Different states obviously have different laws regarding gambling, so it makes sense that you would not be able to participate in CT sports betting if you are outside of the state.

Connecticut Legislation Timeline

• July 10, 2017: Governor Dannel Malloy signs HB 6948, which creates a regulatory framework for future sports betting in Connecticut. This includes giving regulatory power over sports betting to the DCP. 
• October 31, 2017: Gov. Malloy signs a new budget, which also legalizes Daily Fantasy Sports in CT. 
• March 15, 2018: The Public Safety and Security Committee holds an exploratory hearing on Connecticut sports betting. Lawyers from major leagues, including the NBA and MLB, ask for the ability to restrict wagers and collect an integrity fee from sportsbooks of 1% of all money wagered. Foxwoods Resort Casino declares it favors the legalization of sports betting.
• May 14, 2018: The US Supreme Court strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA), ending Nevada’s near monopoly on sports betting and allowing Connecticut to legalize sportsbooks.
• February 25, 2020: HB 5168, legalizing sports betting, fails at the committee stage in the Connecticut General Assembly. This bill gives the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes the ability to run sportsbooks alongside off-track betting operators.
• March 3, 2020: SB 21, a second attempt at legalizing sports betting, also fails at the committee stage. This bill would have allowed sports betting, online gaming, and the ability to build a new casino in Bridgeport.
• May 27, 2021: Governor Ned Lamont signs HB 6451, which includes a new compact between the Mashantucket Pequot, the Mohegan tribe, and the Connecticut state government. This legalizes online and retail sports betting in CT. Each tribe is allowed to partner with one sportsbook operator. In addition, the Connecticut Lottery is allowed to partner with a sportsbook brand to launch a betting platform. However, this brand cannot operate a land-based casino in CT, ruling out Caesars Sportsbook.
• September 9, 2021: The Bureau of Indian Affairs and the US Department of the Interior approve the compact between the tribes and the state government.
• September 30, 2021: Retail sportsbooks launch in Connecticut, with the FanDuel retail sportsbook opening at the Mohegan Sun Casino. Gov. Lamont places the first ceremonial bet at the sportsbook, a $50 wager on the Connecticut Sun to win by more than 7.5 points against the Chicago Sky.
• October 19, 2021: All three licensed online sportsbooks, DraftKings, FanDuel, and PlaySugarHouse, launch in Connecticut.

How to Bet in Connecticut

If you are interested in taking the next step by opening an account at a Connecticut betting site, you will need to prove you are at least 21 years of age and then make an initial deposit. You can do this either in person at a retail sportsbook such as Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino (FanDuel), Foxwoods Resort Casino (DraftKings), or one of the many Fanatics Sportsbook locations with a valid photo ID. Another option is completing an online verification process at one of the three approved CT sportsbooks like FanDuel, Fanatics Sportsbook, or DraftKings through their respective sports betting apps or sites. To complete the online verification process, you will likely still need to submit a scanned copy of your photo ID proving that you are 21 or older. This is essential for you to open an account.

After you have registered for an account, you will then be able to take advantage of Connecticut sports betting bonuses and other sportsbook promotions. Just remember that you might need to have a promo code handy and/or meet other eligibility requirements in order to cash in on bonuses. Always read the fine print so you know how to qualify. The most critical requirements often involve rollovers in which you need to bet a certain number of times or specific amounts before you are able to withdraw bonus funds.

As far as Connecticut sportsbook deposits and withdrawals go, one of the most popular ways to fund your account and cash out winnings is through Play+. Creating a Play+ account involves linking to a checking or savings account that can be used for both deposits and withdrawals. Then, you can use the Play+ account at CT sportsbooks or betting sites as money can be transferred from your checking or savings account.

What Can I Bet on in Connecticut?

College basketball is one of the most popular sports to wager on in the state, and with good reason. No state has enjoyed more success with its men's and women's college basketball teams than Connecticut with the UConn Huskies. Those two programs have combined for 17 national titles, including a record 11 for the UConn women. For this reason, it is no surprise to see the Connecticut sports betting handle rise during the month of March on an annual basis. However, despite all of that success and the sport's immense popularity, Connecticut has banned wagering on any in-state schools, most notably UConn.

So, what does that leave for CT sports bettors? You can wager on college basketball teams outside the state, which still offers a ton of action. In addition, the WNBA's Connecticut Sun are the state's lone professional sports team at a major league level. You can bet on Sun games, too, even though the state suspended wagering on or against the team in 2021 at the Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook due to a potential conflict of interest because their games are played at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

You can also bet on or against any number of professional sports teams outside of Connecticut, with MLB's New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox and the NFL's New England Patriots and New York Giants being among the most popular in the area. By definition according to the CT government website, you can place bets on professional sporting events where the athletes are compensated more than their expenses, including sports such as minor league baseball, tennis, and mixed-martial arts. The UFC in particular has become extremely popular in Connecticut with several events even hosted there.

The notable Connecticut minor league teams to bet on range from baseball with the Hartford Yard Goats (AA affiliate of MLB's Colorado Rockies) to hockey with the Bridgeport Islanders (AHL affiliate of the NHL's New York Islanders) and Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL affiliate of the NHL's New York Rangers). There are other pro sports teams in Connecticut that do not meet the aforementioned requirements of athletes getting compensated more than expenses, such as those in college summer baseball leagues (New Britain Bees, Norwich Sea Unicorns, Bristol Blues, Mystic Schooners, and Danbury Westerners) and women's professional tackle football (Western Connecticut Hawks and North Connecticut Nightmare).

Connecticut Sports Teams

Connecticut hasn’t hosted a men’s major league team since the departure of the NHL’s Hartford Whalers in 1997, with the team moving to North Carolina to become the Carolina Hurricanes. However, there is plenty of support for women’s basketball, as the Connecticut Suns play in the WNBA. 

In addition, fans of major league sports choose to support teams from neighboring states. Check out some of the most popular teams in CT below.

Connecticut Sun

The Connecticut Sun is a women’s basketball team playing in the WNBA’s Eastern Conference. Originally, the franchise was launched as the Orlando Miracle in 1999 as a sister team to the Orlando Magic.

However, the Mohegan Tribe purchased the team in 2003 and relocated them to the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut. The Connecticut Sun became the first professional sports team owned by a Native American tribe. 

The Sun has qualified for the WNBA Playoffs twelve times since moving to Connecticut and has won three conference titles. However, the team is yet to win a WNBA Championship, despite making the Finals three times. 

New York Rangers

As Connecticut had an NHL team until the Hartford Whalers relocated in 1997, hockey is very popular with CT sports fans and bettors. Many fans have found new teams to support, with the New York Rangers in Connecticut’s neighbor New York getting plenty of attention. 

The New York Rangers were founded in 1926 and are based in Manhattan. The team plays at Madison Square Garden, which it shares with the NBA’s New York Knicks. Throughout Rangers’ history, the team has won four Stanley Cups, two conference championships, three Presidents’ Trophy titles, and seven divisional titles.

The Rangers also have a minor league affiliate in Connecticut, the Hartford Wolf Pack. The Wolf Pack play in the American Hockey League (AHL) and moved to Hartford after the Whalers left. The franchise was even called the Connecticut Whale from 2010 to 2013 as an homage to Hartford Whalers.

New York Knicks

Basketball is already one of the most popular sports in Connecticut, thanks to the Connecticut Suns. Many fans support the Rangers playing in Madison Square Garden, so there are loads of New York Knicks fans in CT. In addition, Connecticut’s successful college basketball programs produce plenty of stars for the NBA.

Founded in 1946, the New York Knickerbockers are one of the oldest teams in the NBA. The Knicks won two championships in 1970 and 1973 and have also claimed four conference titles and eight divisional titles.

Connecticut Sporting Events

While major league sports are very popular in Connecticut, there are also plenty of other sports events which get lots of attention. One of the oldest games in college football is played in CT, and a golf event pulls record crowds. See below for more information on Connecticut sporting events.

The Travelers Championship

The Travelers Championship is a PGA Tour event in Cromwell, Connecticut, at the TPC River Highlands, usually played in June. The event was established in 1952 and was known until 2003 as the Greater Hartford Open.

The event is the second-most-attended PGA Tour annually, setting a record attendance in 2002 when nearly 400,000 watched Phil Mickelson win his second championship at the course. In 2020, it became part of the Open Qualifying Series, providing up to two spots in the Open for the top two finishers in the Top eight who were non-exempt.

Billy Casper has won the tournament the most times, with four wins, followed by Bubba Watson with two wins. The tournament purse is $8,300,000.

“The Game”: Yale-Harvard

The Yale-Harvard football rivalry is the second-oldest and third-most-played game in college football, as the Yale University Bulldogs face off against the Harvard University Crimson. “The Game” is the nickname for the frequent matchups between the two teams, and the game alternates between Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Collegiate fans have a lot to thank Yale and Harvard for when they attend Saturday games in the fall. The game originated many elements of gridiron we know today: Yale fans singing “Hold the Fort” during the 1892 Harvard matchup is considered the first public performance of a collegiate fight song.

The game has featured some historic players, including pioneer Walter Camp, dubbed the “Father of Football”. Camp invented the down, the static line of scrimmage, and published the All-American team. Famous participants include former President Gerald Ford and Senator Ted Kennedy.

The game is also known for a series of historic pranks, including Yale students releasing a greased piglet onto the field in 1955 and 1983. Another notable event was in 2004 when Yale students at Harvard Stadium handed out 1,800 Harvard placards for fans to hold up after each score that spelled “We Suck.”  

Connecticut Land-Based Sportsbooks

Every online sportsbook in Connecticut has a land-based partner with a retail sportsbook. Retail sports betting actually launched a few weeks before online betting, with FanDuel opening its retail location at the Mohegan Sun Casino. DraftKings also has a retail sportsbook at a land-based casino, opening a betting platform at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

PlaySugarHouse has a partnership with the Connecticut Lottery and so operates a different retail sportsbook policy. Rather than launching at a brick-and-mortar casino, PlaySugarHouse has opened several retail sportsbooks at off-track betting locations across the state.

While betting with your mobile is very convenient, retail sportsbooks offer you an exciting betting experience. You can enjoy amenities like bars and restaurants while you play, watching sports on giant video screens. You’ll find comfy seating options and personal booths where you can bet in peace while sharing this experience with hundreds of other sports fans. See a complete list of land-based sportsbooks in CT below.

Connecticut Responsible Gambling

There is a voluntary self-exclusion program in Connecticut which gamblers can join to prevent them from accessing casinos, sportsbooks, DFS contests, and racebooks. To sign-up for this program, you’ll need to provide some information to the Gaming Exclusion Service, including your Social Security number, tax ID number, and date of birth. You can sign-up for the program through a web portal available on the Connecticut state government website.

This information is private but will be shared with licensed Connecticut gambling operators so you can be prevented from creating a gaming account or receiving marketing material.

You can choose how long your exclusion will last: one year, five years, or a lifetime. Once this has ended, you will not be automatically removed from the self-exclusion list. You must indicate that you want to be removed to the Gaming Exclusion Service. Lifetime requests cannot be reversed, and you can renew your exclusion at any time by re-registering.

In addition to this self-exclusion program, many CT betting sites will provide responsible gambling help for bettors. This may include account tools and direction to third-party organizations like the National Council on Responsible Gambling.