Connecticut Gambling Sites – A Guide to Gambling In Connecticut
Connecticut is the 3rd smallest state when measured by area and the 29th most
populous. It’s also a leader in the gambling niche, with 2 sites that are some
of the largest casinos in the world.
In fact, Connecticut gambling laws allow two large tribal casinos – these two
casinos offer every casino game you could want. Social gambling, charitable
bingo and raffle games, a state lottery, and race betting are all also legal in
the state.
But online gambling in Connecticut is a gray area.
Here’s everything you need to know about Connecticut gambling sites and laws:
| Rank | VA Gambling Site | Deposit Bonus | Products | Get Started | |
| #1 |
Las Atlantis
|
280% Up To $14,000 |
|
Visit Site | |
| #2 |
Wild Casino
|
250% Up To $5,000 |
|
Visit Site | |
| #3 |
BetUS
|
125% Up To $2,500 |
|
Visit Site | |
| #4 |
BetOnline
|
50% Up To $1,000 |
|
Visit Site | |
| #5 |
Bovada
|
50% Up To $250 |
|
Visit Site | |
Online Gambling and Connecticut Law
Is Online Gambling Legal in Connecticut?
According to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection:
“The State of Connecticut and the Department of Consumer Protection do not
authorize, license, permit, or regulate in any manner any Internet gambling in
any form. Under General Statutes of Connecticut Section
53-278a(2) any gambling activity in Connecticut is illegal unless
specifically authorized by law. Neither the state legislature nor any state
agency has approved any form of gambling on the Internet, including the
purchasing of raffle tickets. Even if a gambling website is legal in another
jurisdiction, such as a foreign country or another state, it is illegal to use
that site to gamble from within Connecticut.”
The section 53-278a(2) referred to above is the state’s definition of
gambling. This law wasn’t originally written to cover online gambling sites, but
the state says that it would be covered under their definition.
According to this information, online gambling is illegal in Connecticut.
But as far as we know, the state has done nothing to prevent residents from
gambling online. We’re unable to find any specific law regarding online
gambling.
Can I Get Arrested for Gambling Online in Connecticut?
Based on the information above, if Connecticut finds online gambling to be
illegal then you could theoretically get arrested for it.
But to date, no one in Connecticut has ever been arrested for gambling
online.
Starting an online gambling organization, though, is clearly illegal in
Connecticut. Don’t start an online casino or online bookmaker operation if you
live in the state.
Also On This Page
More Gambling Laws in Connecticut
- Casino Games (Illegal at Tribal Casinos Only)
- Sports Betting (Offshore Only)
- Race Betting (Pari-Mutuel Only)
- Lottery (Legal)
- Bingo (Non-Profit Games Only)
- Social Gambling (Legal)
Section 53-278a of the Connecticut General Statutes defines gambling as:
“‘Gambling’ means risking any money, credit, deposit or other thing of value
for gain contingent in whole or in part upon lot, chance or the operation of a
gambling device, including the playing of a casino gambling game such as
blackjack, poker, craps, roulette or a slot machine, but does not include: Legal
contests of skill, speed, strength or endurance in which awards are made only to
entrants or the owners of entries”
Casino Games: Legal at Tribal Casinos Only
Two legal casinos now operate in Connecticut. Both are tribal casinos. A
state-tribal compact is held with the Mashantucket Pequots Tribe and the Mohegan
Tribe.
Even though there are only two of them, the casinos in Connecticut offer a
wide variety of casino games to choose from–including table games and slot
machines.
According to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection:
“Foxwoods Resort Casino was opened by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe in
1992.The Mohegan Tribe opened Mohegan Sun four years later.Pursuant to federal
law, each casino is authorized to offer any game of chance that is legal under
state law (the Las Vegas Night laws were in force when each casino first
opened).Each tribe and the state of Connecticut have entered into memoranda of
understanding to allow video facsimile machines to be operated at the casinos.”
Connecticut also has different laws about professional gambling that include
slot machines, roulette, dice tables, and more.
According to section 53-278a of the Connecticut Gambling Statutes
professional gambling is defined as:
“‘Professional gambling’ means accepting or offering to accept, for profit,
money, credits, deposits or other things of value risked in gambling, or any
claim thereon or interest therein. Without limiting the generality of this
definition, the following shall be included: Pool-selling and bookmaking;
maintaining slot machines, one-ball machines or variants thereof, pinball
machines, which award anything other than an immediate and unrecorded right of
replay, roulette wheels, dice tables, or money or merchandise pushcards,
punchboards, jars or spindles, in any place accessible to the public”
According to section 53-278b of the Connecticut Gambling Statutes the
penalties for professional gambling is:
“(a) Any person who engages in gambling, or solicits or induces another to
engage in gambling, or is present when another person or persons are engaged in
gambling, shall be guilty of a class B misdemeanor; provided natural persons
shall be exempt from prosecution and punishment under this subsection for any
game, wager or transaction which is incidental to a bona fide social
relationship, is participated in by natural persons only and in which no person
is participating, directly or indirectly, in professional gambling.(b) Any person who engages in professional gambling shall be guilty of a
class A misdemeanor”
Sports Betting: Offshore Only
Connecticut has neither legalized or regulated sports betting. In fact,
Connecticut has prohibited bookmaking companies, sports gambling sites, and
online bookies based in Connecticut.
No state laws prohibit placing a sports bets online at offshore companies in
the state, though.
This is the only option for Connecticut residents. We recommend multiple
high-quality, trustworthy offshore bookmakers on our site. Many of them are
happy to do business with Connecticut residents.
Race Betting: Pari-Mutuel Only
According to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection:
“In 1976, off-track betting started in Connecticut.It initially was run by
the Division of Special Revenue and was sold in 1993 to Autotote Enterprises,
Inc., which operates Connecticut OTB to this day.”
Horse Racing
According to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection:
“Horse racing is also authorized by statute, but no horse track has operated
in Connecticut.”
If you’re looking for a live horse race, you could take a short trip to the
Belmont Park Race Track in New York. Belmont Park opened in 1905. Because it
hosts the 3rd jewel of the Triple Crown Racing Series, it’s known as “The Test
of the Champion”.
If you don’t want to make the drive to a horse track, you can bet at any of
the 6 approved OBT or off-track betting sites in Connecticut. They’re located
in:
- New Haven
- Windsor Locks
- Manchester
- Bridgeport
- East Haven
- Willimantic
Foxwoods Casino’s race book allows you to bet on 200 carrels and view results
from 90 tracks around the world. They offer pari-mutuel betting on
thoroughbreds, greyhounds, and jai-alai.
Dog Racing
Greyhound racing is legal in Connecticut, but there are no tracks. The state
used to be home to two greyhound racing tracks but both ceased racing events by
2005 because of lack of attendance.
According to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection:
“Live greyhound racing began in Connecticut in 1976 with the opening of
Plainfield Greyhound Park.In 1995, the former Bridgeport Jai Alai was
converted to Shoreline Star Greyhound Park.”
You can visit the Foxwoods Casino to bet on greyhound races from around the
world.
Lottery: Legal
A state regulated lottery is available in Connecticut.
According to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection:
“The Commission on Special Revenue, which wasa forerunner of the Gaming
Division, introduced the lottery in Connecticut in 1972.The Division of Special
Revenue, the immediate predecessor of the Department of Consumer Protection
Gaming Division,operated the lottery until 1996, when the Connecticut Lottery
Corporation (CLC) was formed.”
Bingo: Non-Profit Games Only
Legal non-profit games include bazaars, bingo, and raffles.
According to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection:
“Qualified non-profit organizations can raise funds from a variety of
activities.Bingo was legalized in Connecticut in 1939.Bazaars and raffles were
authorized in 1955 and sealed tickets in 1987.Beginning in 1972, non-profits
could operate casino games during Las Vegas Night fundraisers, but that law was
repealed in 2003.Under Connecticut law there is no age prohibition with respect to who may
play bingo. Accordingly, any adult or child may play the game”
You can obtain a permit for amusement and recreational bingo games, but only
if the members of the organization playing bingo are 60 years or older.
The maximum prize amount for bingo per day is $2,500.
Betting on duck and frog races for charity is legal. We wish we lived in a
state where this law was on the books, just because it’s such a cool law.
Social Gambling: Legal
Unless you’re playing in one of the tribal casinos, poker is illegal. It’s
also legal if you’re playing a purely social game.
According to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection:
“According to Section
53-278a of the General Statutes of Connecticut, poker is listed as one of
the forms of gambling that are illegal in Connecticut. Section
53-278b exempts from prosecution and punishment people who gamble
‘incidental to a bona fide social relationship’ as long as no one other than the
participants receives anything from the game. Both the Department of Consumer
Protection and the Attorney General have determined that the hosting of poker
games or tournaments at commercial bars or similar establishments would violate
Connecticut law. Poker can be played legally at the two tribal casinos.”
Gambling Venues in Connecticut
Connecticut has two casinos:
1) The Mohegan Sun
1 Mohegan Sun Blvd
Uncasville, CT 06382
Phone number: (888) 226-7711
2) The Foxwoods Resort and Casino
350 Trolley Line Blvd
Mashantucket, CT 06338
Phone number: (800) 369-9663
The Mohegan Sun
Casino Games Available at the Mohegan Sun Include:
- Baccarat
- Midi-Baccarat
- Mini baccarat
- Blackjack
- Caribbean stud poker
- Craps
- Four card poker
- Let It Ride
- Pai gow poker
- Pai gow tiles
- Roulette
- Sic Bo
- Spanish 21
- Texas Holdem Bonus
- Three card poker
- Wheel Of Fortune
- And over 5,000 slot machines
Amenities
Mohegan Sun offers a wide variety of entertainment including an arena,
nightclub, comedy club, kids’ area, and more. It also has many dining and
shopping options and a hotel, spa, and golf course.
Foxwoods Resort Casino
Casino Games Available at Foxwoods Include:
- Bingo
- Keno
- Baccarat
- Blackjack
- Caribbean stud poker
- Casino war
- Craps
- Crazy 4 Poker
- Let It Ride
- Money wheel
- Pai Gow Poker
- Pai Gow tiles
- Roulette
- Spanish 21
- Three card poker
- And over 4,800 slot machines
Amenities
Foxwood offers a hotel, spa, golf course, bowling arcade, comedy shows, and a
large variety of shopping and dining options.
History of Gambling in Connecticut
Connecticut state regulated lottery begins.
Foxwood bingo hall is opened.
The U.S. Supreme Court rules that if a state prohibits all forms of gambling, then tribal gaming is subject to criminal laws also. But if the state allows some forms of gambling, it cannot enforce gambling laws on reservations.
Congress passes the IGRA, which creates a framework for jurisdictional and legal issues about gaming on Indian reservations. The Mashantucket Pequots tries to form a compact with the state, but the state refused.
The Mashantucket Pequots sues the state for refusal to negotiate a compact. Congress requires the state to enter a good-faith negotiation with the Mashantucket Pequots to form a compact.
The U.S. Department of Interior issues procedures governing casino gaming. A moratorium on slot machines is put into place until the state and tribe could come to an agreement about their legality.
The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe opens Foxwoods Resort Casino. The casino has table games, but no slot machines.
The Mashantucket Pequots and the state come to an agreement and sign a memorandum of understanding about the slot machines. The state gives exclusive rights to operate slot machines to the Foxwoods Casino.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs officially recognizes the Mohegan Tribe and they negotiate a gaming compact with the Governor. The Mashantucket Pequots renegotiate their slot machines contract with the state and the Mohegan Tribe gets the use of slot machines also. The new negotiation prohibits not only slot machines from being run anywhere else in the state, but also any other casino game.
The Mashantucket Pequots try to conduct casino gaming in Bridgeport, but thier bill is rejected by the Senate.
The Mohegan Tribe opens the Mohegan Sun Casino.
The “Las Vegas Nights” statute is repealed.
Foxwoods partners with MGM until 2013.
A settlement regarding the issuance of coupons and email credits for free slot plays is reaced between the state and the tribes.
The Governor states that the regulation of online poker in Connecticut is inevitable.
SA 15-7 is passed by the General Assembly. The SA 15-7 makes it possible for off-reservation casinos to be operated by the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes. The two tribes would first have to form a business together and then run the casino from that business.
Additional Resources
- Connecticut Judicial Branch Law Libraries
- Faq About Bingo, Games of Chance, Money Wheel, Poker Games at Bars, and Internet Gambling
Connecticut Gambling Future
Connecticut gambling sites, casinos, Connecticut gambling history,
laws–we’ve covered it all.
Connecticut has prohibited all casino games and casinos except for the two
tribal casinos found on Connecticut tribal lands. These casinos offer a variety
of table and slot games to choose from. Since these casinos offer so much, and
it’s a short drive to other state casinos, we doubt the gambling laws will
change anytime soon regarding casinos.
Horse and greyhound racing and betting are legal in Connecticut.
But since there are no tracks in Connecticut, there’s nothing to bet on in
the state as far as racing goes. You can place off-track betting at various
places throughout the state.
Regulated online poker games have been pushed for in Connecticut. The
governor has stated that legalization of online gambling is inevitable in the
state. We would not be surprised to see regulated Connecticut gambling sites
become legal.
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