The Connecticut Lottery launched its first retail sports betting facility in New Haven on 25th October in a move that forms part of the state’s endeavor to tap into the growing online sports betting market.
The venue, Sports Haven, is the first venue in the state, outside of the tribal-run casinos Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods to allow residents of Connecticut over the age of 21 to place legal wagers with a number of professional and college sporting events.
Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods kicked off in-person sports last month.
Sports Haven features wall-to-wall TV Monitors, Odds Boards and offers food and beverages.
Governor Ned Lamont, commented that it’s a way for sports fans to have fun as they bet. He added that one can sit there, watch their team, cheer and be with some friends, maybe have a cool frosty and bet on their team.
Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said the Connecticut Lottery had to get into the Sportsbook game. She added that it is a way to better regulate and also capture revenue for their state that they were not getting before on activity that was happening without this expansion.
According to Lottery President Greg Smith, the sportsbook business could help smash their current annual revenue projections for the state.
He also said that the $400 million is what lottery profits are but that lottery participating in sports wagering would add to what lottery already contributes to the state.
Smith added that the state lottery could soon open more retail sports betting at Bobby V’s Restaurant and Sports bar locations in Stamford and Windsor Locks.
The state lottery was allowed to get into the sportsbook business due to an agreement with the state’s two tribal-run casinos.