Connecticut’s online and retail sportsbooks may not open in time for the 2021 NFL season Kickoff game, according to a report by Action.
The Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC) recently announced Rush Street Interactive (RSI) as its sports betting operations partner for its soon-to-launch sports wagering business under a 10-year agreement. It has also teamed with Sportech to offer sports betting at 10 of the firm’s current OTB locations.
Subject to ratification by the state’s Department of the Interior, the CLC will open statewide online sports betting operations as well as up to 15 retail sports betting shops.
However, Action stated that casino retail sportsbooks will firstly have to undergo a state review, meaning CLC’s sportsbooks may not open in time for the NFL’s Kickoff game on September 9 between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
FanDuel and DraftKings, which are partnered with Mohegan Gaming and Mashantucket Pequot, are still awaiting federal approval for retail sportsbooks at their individual casinos, with Mohegan Gaming CEO Ray Pineault believing that the opening of its sportsbook by the NFL’s kick-off weekend is the “best-case scenario.”
The CLC would also need to acquire approval to operate a sports betting service online. A cross-party and neutral panel of legislatures are set to meet on August 31 to discuss online sports betting regulations. Formal ratification could still take another “few weeks” even if plans are approved.
