DraftKings and FanDuel ready Connecticut push with retail launches
Sports betting heavyweights open on-premises sportsbooks with tribal partners ahead of October 9 online launch
DraftKings and FanDuel have both unveiled retail sportsbooks in Connecticut, laying the groundwork for online sports betting to begin later this month.
The pair have both sealed relationships with tribal casino resort operators in the Constitution State, where online sports betting is expected to launch on October 9.
DraftKings has partnered with Foxwoods Resort Casino operator the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, while rival FanDuel has team up with Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE).
MGE had partnered with Kambi, although the casino operator rolled back the terms of its agreement with the Swedish supplier following the launch of its Mohegan Digital business in July.
After launching in Connecticut, MGE and FanDuel will collaborate on a separate online casino offering under the Mohegan Sun brand, with the official launch date yet to be confirmed.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont placed a ceremonial first bet at the Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook and was joined by former NFL players Wayne Chrebet and Darius Butler.
A permanent Mohegan Sun FanDuel retail sportsbook is expected to open later this year.
Mohegan Sun president and general manager Jeff Hamilton paid tribute to officials in the state as well as his team for working to enable the firm’s new sports betting offering.
“To now be able to offer sports betting for Mohegan Sun guests is quite a thrill and a milestone that was a long time in the making,” Hamilton said.
“This gaming expansion will bring jobs, excitement and other positive economic impacts to Mohegan Sun and across Connecticut and we can’t wait to hit the ground running,” he added.
DraftKings and FanDuel’s main competition in the state comes from Rush Street Interactive (RSI), which agreed a deal to become the Connecticut Lottery Corporation’s (CLC) main sports betting partner when it launches its own sportsbook.
The CLC is one of only three entities in Connecticut with rights to operate mobile and retail sports betting and is the only one with the ability to operate retail sports betting outside of tribal territories across more than 3,000 retail outlets.
Eleven of the CLC’s 15 sports betting retail locations will be located in seven of the state’s 10 most populous cities, serving more than a quarter of Connecticut’s 3.6 million inhabitants.