The Department of Consumer Protection has approved the state licenses that Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun need to launch sports betting, while the Connecticut Lottery Corporation says it's aiming to roll out the first phase of retail and online sports betting during the first week of October.
The state agency approved the “master gaming licenses” for on-reservation sports betting on Tuesday for the two tribal casinos in southeastern Connecticut. It comes a day after a recent decision from the U.S. Department of Interior, which approved an amended agreement between the state and Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes that allows legalized sports wagering, online gambling and other new forms of betting, was published in the Federal Register.
Kaitlyn Krasselt, a spokesperson for the Department of Consumer Protection said the state agency expects “on-reservation” sports betting may happen as soon as Thursday, but that will be determined by the tribes.
In a news release Wednesday, DraftKings announced its sports betting partnership with Foxwoods would begin Thursday, allowing casino visitors to place bets at a temporary sportsbook.
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“Today we celebrate a new era for our Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, sports fans, Foxwoods guests and Connecticut residents,” Rodney Butler, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Chairman said in the release.
A Mohegan Sun spokesperson confirmed that the casino's sports betting will begin on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Krasselt said DCP is still “waiting on some documents” from the lottery and its partners before its licenses can be finalized and the soft launch can be scheduled.
