How Do I Gamble Online in Connecticut?

Connecticut offers many online gambling options for residents and visitors alike. With recent federal court decisions, USA gaming law opened Connecticut state leaders to write their own gambling laws. Connecticut players now have full access to regulated and unregulated online casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks.

Online gambling in Connecticut is in a state of flux. New gambling laws unlocked more gaming options for online players, but it introduced confusion to the process. Read the article below to learn how to gamble online in Connecticut, research gambling sites, and make responsible gambling decisions.

How Online Gambling in Connecticut Works

Online gambling in Connecticut has two paths. For decades, the only realistic path was to play at offshore online casinos, poker sites, and sportsbooks. These sites accepted real money play from Connecticut and built reputations for fun, safety, trust, and reliability. Offshore gambling sites offered the biggest welcome bonuses, a big range of banking methods, and hundreds of casino games.

Since 2021, Connecticut residents has a second option: licensed online gambling sites. The land-based casinos and Connecticut’s state lottery offer licensed online sportsbooks and mobile sports betting apps. The bonuses at these sites are not as large, but they also offer wagers on a full range of games. Here is a timeline of how it all came to be.

Gambling Availability in Connecticut

How to Gamble Online for Real Money in Connecticut

If you are interested in gambling online for real money in Connecticut, it’s important to follow a few steps to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. In this guide, we will provide you with a step-by-step process for gambling online in Connecticut, whether you’re interested in online casinos, poker rooms, or sportsbooks.

1. Research Gambling Sites: Look for trustworthy online casinos, poker rooms, or sportsbooks. Read reviews and posts by other Connecticut gamblers to find sites that have a good reputation. Choose sites that are well-known and legit.
2. Sign Up at a Casino or Poker Room: Register for a player account once you’ve found a site that meets your needs. Provide basic details and proof of residence to verify your account when it’s time to withdraw winnings.
3. Make a Deposit: If you want to play for real money, make a deposit. Visit the cashier page, choose a deposit method, and complete the deposit process. Some sites may offer a no-deposit bonus that you can use to play games for free.
4. Accept a Casino Bonus: Many online casinos offer a welcome bonus to new players. Bonus cash or free spins on certain games may be included. Be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully before accepting a bonus, as there may be wagering requirements to meet before you can withdraw any bonus cash.
5. Play Casino Games: Once your account is funded, you can start playing casino games for real money. Choose from slots, table games, and specialty games. Keep in mind that live dealer games may not count toward wagering requirements.
6. Make a Withdrawal: When you’ve met the wagering requirement, you can request a withdrawal of your winnings. Depending on the payout method you choose, your winnings may arrive within a few minutes or a few days.
7. Betting at Online Poker Rooms: If you choose to play at an online poker room, the process is quite like the online casino process. Poker bonuses may be different and typically unlock $5 or $10 at a time as you play hands.
8. Betting at Online Sportsbooks: Connecticut has over three licensed online sportsbooks, offering legal protections. Offshore online bookmakers may offer bigger bonuses, but may not have the same level of legal protections. Choose the option that suits your needs and preferences. Either way, remember to always play at a safe and reputable site, and gamble responsibly.

Connecticut Online Gambling Timeline and History

• Online Gambling Launches: According to most sources, Microgaming invented the first online casino software for a mass audience in 1994. While online sports betting and poker software might have existed before then, it was more for personal use and not commercial purposes.
• UIGEA: The US federal government passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which made processing payments on online gambling sites illegal. At first, UIGEA applies to online sports betting, casinos, and poker sites.
• Justice Department Opinion: In 2011, the AGs of New York and Illinois asked the US Justice Department for an opinion on the UIGEA. The DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel noted in December 2011 that UIGEA banned online sports betting, but not online casinos and poker sites.
• Licensed Online Casinos and Poker Sites: In 2013, Delaware, New Jersey, and Nevada launched online gambling portals. Some US lawmakers tried to block these sites with Restore America’s Wire Act (RAWA), but were unsuccessful.
• US Supreme Court Case: In 2018, the US Supreme Court ruled that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was unconstitutional. This opened the door for US states to legalize land-based and intrastate online sports betting. 38 states have done so at present.
• New UIGEA Opinion: The DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel issued a new opinion on UIGEA in 2019. This led to a lawsuit by New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. US federal courts later would rule that UIGEA only applied to online sports betting — not to online casinos or poker rooms.
• Legal Sports Betting: On May 27, 2021, Governor Ned Lamont signed into law a sports betting bill. The Connecticut Lottery Corp, the Mohegan Tribe, and Mashantucket Pequot Tribe received the ability to offer sports betting and online gambling.
• Record Sports Betting Handle: In November 2022, Connecticut announced a sports betting record of $164.2 million in the previous month.
• New Record Sports Betting Handle: In December 2022, Connecticut set a new record with $165 million. This trend would continue into the football season of 2023.
• Limited Sports Betting Ads: State lawmakers sought in February 2023 to limit sports betting advertisements by introducing SB 971.
• Rush Street Limited Pulls Out: The partnership between Rush Street Limited (RSI) and SugarHouse pulled out of Connecticut because it could not compete with DraftKings and FanDuel. It was the 2nd year of a 10-year deal.

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Connecticut Land-Based Gambling Industry

Connecticut allows most forms of land-based gambling. The list includes betting on horse races, dog races, jai alai, and the state lottery. It has a huge charitable gaming industry while allowing casino gambling and sports betting.

Does Connecticut have land-based casinos?

Yes, it does. Mohegan Sun in Uncasville and Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket once were two of the largest casinos in the world. With the proliferation of land-based gambling in America, neither one holds that title anymore. Still, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods are two of the best-known casino brands. The two casinos offer huge casino gaming floors, sportsbooks, and their own sports betting apps.

Does Connecticut have legal betting tracks?

No. While Connecticut has pari-mutuel wagering and simulcasting, the state does not have any legal horse betting tracks or dog tracks.

Does Connecticut have off-track betting?

Yes, it does. In fact, Connecticut has 13 OTBs spread throughout 12 cities. Eleven of the off-track betting facilities are Winners OTBs, which are in Bridgeport, Hartford, Manchester, Milford, New Britain, New Haven, Norwalk, Putnam, Torrington, Waterbury, and Windsor Locks.

The remaining two OTB facilities are Bobby V’s Restaurant & Sports Bar facilities. One each is in Stamford and Windsor Locks.

Does Connecticut allow charitable gambling?

Yes, but Connecticut does not issue licenses at the state level. Instead, Connecticut charitable gaming licenses are issued by municipalities. Cities can issue permits for bingo, bazaar, and raffle. Connecticut refers to them as sealed ticket games. Also, if the city allows it, groups can host “Las Vegas Nights”.

Does Connecticut allow lottery betting?

Connecticut has allowed lottery gambling since 1972 when it was the fourth US state to launch a modern state lottery. It joined the Powerball multistate lottery association in 1995 and the Mega Millions association in 2010. Over 3,000 lottery vendors sell state lottery tickets, scratch cards, Powerball tickets, and Mega Millions tickets.

Is social gambling allowed in Connecticut?

Yes. Connecticut does not prohibit private home games of poker. If you host a poker event, do not charge a rake on the poker hands. Don’t charge a door fee or a seat license fee, and certainly don’t charge exorbitant fees on snacks and drinks. These are considered an attempt to profit off the game. Connecticut law allows gambling to take place, but profits should only come from a combination of luck and skill at the table on results that everyone has an equal chance.

Social gaming sites like Zynga, Chumba Casino, and Luckyland Slots are also legal.

What is the legal gambling age in Connecticut?

The legal gambling age for casino gambling and sports betting is 21 in Connecticut. If you gamble at offshore online gambling sites, the age limit is 18.

Land-Based Casinos in Connecticut

Online Gambling Connecticut FAQ

Can I gamble online in Connecticut?

Yes. Connecticut online gamblers have a lot of options. Players can sign up for online casinos, poker sites, and sportsbooks in the offshore gambling markets. Since its launch in 2022, bettors also can sign up at the online gambling portals for the Connecticut Lottery, Mohegan Sun, or Foxwoods Casino.

The offshore gambling sites offer bigger bonuses and more payment options. The Connecticut-licensed sites offer consumer protections and responsible gambling measures. Either offers a full range of the best online sports bets, casino games, and poker events.

Can I gamble at an online casino in Connecticut?

Yes. Players can sign up at offshore online casinos without legal trouble. The unregulated online casinos offer thousands of dollars in bonus money, plus the ability to play a full range of online slots, table games, and live dealer games. Those who want to play on the go can enjoy Android and iPhone games on the mobile casino app.

Since their launch in 2022, Connecticut residents can play at licensed online casinos. The bonuses there are not as big and don’t have as many payment options, but they offer legal protections.

Can I gamble at online sportsbooks in Connecticut?

Yes. Offshore online sportsbooks like BetUS offer thousands of dollars in sports betting bonuses, plus a risk-free bet for signups. Connecticut bettors enjoy the best online odds on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, MMA, boxing, golf, and tennis. Online sportsbooks offer point spread bets, moneyline bets, parlays, prop bets, futures bets, and a full range of other sports wagers. Live in-play bets are available, too.

Can I gamble at online poker sites in Connecticut?

Yes, you can. Online poker rooms pay out millions in prize winnings each week. They have $100K guaranteed events on the weekend, plus ring games and sit-and-go events at a wide range of bet limits. The games they offer tend to be Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Seven-Card Stud, though some offer lesser-known games like Pineapple.

How do I gamble online in Connecticut using crypto deposits?

To gamble online in Connecticut with crypto, deposit at popular US sites such as Wild Casino, Las Atlantis Casino, BetUS Sports, Planet 7 Casino, and Slots of Vegas. These sites provide a welcome bonus ranging from $2,500 to $14,000, along with numerous online games, including table games, slots, and live dealer games. Some also feature sports betting and poker.

Deposits and withdrawals can be made through Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin, with additional crypto bonuses available for deposits made using these currencies.

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