Connecticut Sports Betting – Best CT Sportsbooks 2024
Since the back end of 2021, Connecticut sports betting has been legal, both online and in physical venues. The latter came first, in September of that year, closely followed by the launch of SugarHouse, FanDuel and DraftKings on October 19th.
Growth has been strong since the initial launch. With over $50 million worth of bets sold in their first two weeks, those three online sportsbooks can be very happy with how things have progressed. Particularly when you consider that the only professional sporting team in the state is a WNBA franchise.
We’ll talk more about the growth of betting in the region later on. We’ll also discuss the plethora of betting options to be found in CT, including top sites, common wagers and the many different bonuses. So let’s get cracking!
Best Licensed Online Sports Betting Sites available in Connecticut
Below are the best sportsbook options in Connecticut, as per our expert team of researchers. We’ve assessed everything from the odds and lines, right through to the responsible gambling tools and customer support.
As you can guess from the name, online sports betting is quite literally placing bets through the internet. Whether sat at a desktop computer or gambling on the go via a tablet or smartphone, online betting is all the rage these days.
Soon after the internet became mainstream in the 1990s, the first casinos launched. Sports betting took a little longer to arrive, but it was always a matter of “when” rather than “if”. After all, gambling has been a common hobby for humans since ancient times.
While other countries have often been more liberal, the USA was always quite strict about online gambling. But since 2018, that’s changed a lot and many states are now starting to legalize sports wagering. Just like Connecticut did in 2021.
Sports Betting Options in CT
Connecticut sports betting hasn’t been legal for too long, but there are already patterns which are evident. In the following section, we’ll reveal the most popular sports betting markets with Connecticuters today.
Moneyline
This is probably the most simple form of sports betting, which perhaps explains why it’s so popular. A moneyline is literally just the odds of a team or individual winning the contest. The favorite will have smaller odds, since the probability of success is higher. While betting on the underdog can prove more lucrative.
Spread
In contests which are too one-sided, punters don’t tend to be interested. The outsider has no chance of winning, while the favorite’s odds are completely unappealing. So the bookmakers have to be creative, by awarding one side a handicap to keep things appealing. For betting purposes, this “spread” must also be covered by the favorite if the bet is to win.
Totals
Here, the bookmaker will put up a theoretical total, such as the number of goals in a soccer match. All you need to do is correctly predict whether the real number will be higher or lower. For that reason, these markets are sometimes known as “Over/Under” lines.
In-Play
Not all sports bettors in Connecticut like to play before the games have begun. Waiting for a contest to start and responding to events in real time can be a great way to make money. And that’s possible thanks to live, or “in-play” betting markets.
Futures
On the other hand, betting well in advance of a game or event can also prove lucrative. Since a lot can happen in the intervening time, there’s a greater risk involved. For instance, trying to pick the winner of the Kentucky Derby six months in advance. A horse could be injured or in bad form come the big day, so it’s tough to call. These markets are known as “futures”.
Parlay
A popular form of betting in CT is the parlay. Instead of picking out several individual bets, you may bundle them up into one big wager. Since you now have multiple selections that all have to win, your rewards will be much greater when you are successful. They’re hard to land, but parlays can be richly rewarding.
Teasers
To make parlay wins a little more accessible, some bookies offer what we call “teasers”. Here, you get to tinker with the parameters of your selections a little. You might be able to make the points spread more favorable, for instance. Teasers are slightly easier to win than a standard parlay, with reduced (but still big) rewards as a result.
Why is Sports Betting So Popular in Connecticut?
The good people of Connecticut do enjoy their sports wagering. But what are the factors behind its appeal? Let’s take a look.
Betting is enjoyable. There’s a reason why gambling has been around since the dawn of time. It can be great fun!
It’s so easy to do. Thanks to the legalization of sports wagering, it’s now super convenient to place a bet.
People love sports. Like in many US states, Connecticuters are passionate about supporting their teams and taking part in sports.
Bonuses and Promotions. You can take advantage of many tempting offers to pick up something for nothing.
1. Betting is Enjoyable
Gambling is exciting for a lot of people. If you’re watching a game that you would otherwise have little interest in, adding a financial element spices things up. But it’s not just that. How often have you watched a game with a friend and had a difference of opinion? Placing a bet is a great way to settle a dispute!
2. It’s Easy to Do
Thanks to mobile devices, you can bet while watching a game without even leaving the couch. You can even place a wager while stuck in traffic or using the bathroom! Thanks to the many different online sportsbook options in CT, it’s just so convenient to place your bets.
3. People Love Sport
Sports betting gives us just one more reason to enjoy our favorite athletes playing in some of the world’s best competitions. And if you’re already knowledgeable about something, why not try to cash in on your expertise too?
4. Bonuses and Promotions
Who doesn’t enjoy picking up a bargain? Connecticuters certainly do, which might explain why so many of them registered with the legal online sportsbooks as soon as they could. Thanks to a multitude of generous first time deposit bonuses and other deals, there’s a lot of money to be made.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal and Safe in Connecticut?
Connecticut sports betting is perfectly legal, and has been since the back end of 2021. The origins date back to 2018, when a Federal government decision handed regulatory powers to the individual states. After some lengthy discussions with local tribes, agreements were finally made and the first retail sportsbooks opened in September 2021.
Soon after, on October 19th 2021, online sports betting launched for the first time in the Constitution State. The usual suspects acted early to acquire licenses, with FanDuel, DraftKings and SugarHouse Sportsbook all open to online registrations from day one.
However, it’s also possible to access countless offshore betting sites that accept players from the USA. These companies are based in different international territories, regulated by respected bodies such as the UK Gambling Commission or the MGA. As such, they are genuinely safe and secure places at which to wager. But it’s also virtually impossible for local US authorities to prevent anyone from using them.
The Growth of Sports Betting in Connecticut
Connecticut sports betting is still a relatively new phenomenon, having only launched towards the end of 2021. But things certainly got off to an explosive start. In the first 13 days of operations, the state’s three online sportsbooks sold $54,641,474 worth of bets. That raised a little over $1.2 million in taxes for the Constitution State.
November 2021 saw the first full month of legal sports betting in CT and the total handle reached a mighty $131,729,179. Sales figures continued to progress steadily upwards, peaking in January 2022 at $158,092,481.
Things began to dip a little in the early part of 2022, although handles have remained consistently over $100 million. It’s still too early to tell whether things have reached a plateau, or if it’s linked to a wider slowing down of the economy.
Types of Bonus in Online Sports Betting
The gambling industry is a very competitive one and brands need to work very hard to stand out from the crowd. Connecticut sports betting is no different in that regard, which is why you can find so many attractive offers. Let’s assess some of the most common bonuses found in the state.
First Time Deposit Bonus
Welcome bonuses tend to be the most rewarding sportsbook promotions, because it’s always difficult to get new customers through the door. Such bonuses come in a variety of flavors, but the deposit match is most common.
Looking at DraftKings for instance, you’ll see that new registrants can earn a 20% first time deposit bonus, up to $1,000. Simply fund your new account with real money and the betting site will match that figure with 20% extra.
Reload Bonus
If it’s hard for bookmakers to bring new customers in, keeping them around is even tougher. Which explains why you’ll see so many tempting reload bonuses at sportsbooks in CT.
The most simple reload offers follow a similar structure to first time deposit bonuses. You’ll first fund your account with real money, before the sportsbook issues a percentage top up as a thank you.
Free Bet
This type of bonus is often found as part of a welcome package, but free bets can also be issued to loyal customers. Exactly as the name implies, a free bet gives you the chance to win real money, with no risk on your part.
You’ll receive a token which can be used on specified markets. If your bet wins, you can keep whatever profit you make. Although you will not be allowed to keep the value of the free wager itself.
Risk-Free Bet
Unlike a traditional free bet, the risk-free bet does actually require a real money outlay. It is essentially a form of insurance on your wager.
If you win your bet, that’s great, but if it loses, there will be some sort of compensation. In most cases, this will come in the form of a refund, usually as a free bet. So for example, if you place a $20 bet which loses, you’ll receive a $20 free bet token as a consolation.
Odds Boost
Although many betting sites in CT already offer generous prices, odds boosts make things even more appealing. A lot of the time, the sportsbook will pick out some daily specials and enhance the odds on these markets to offer more value. However, some bookmakers go even further, allowing you to choose your own lines to enhance.
PlaySugarHouse.com is one Connecticut sports betting site which does this well. Every single day you’ll find a selection of boosted odds, with everything from props to parlays on offer.
Parlay Insurance
Speaking of parlays, we all know how difficult it can be to land one. So it’s extra frustrating when you just miss out by one leg. That’s why a lot of the top bookmakers today offer parlay insurance promotions.
Often, they’ll look to cushion the blow of a near miss by giving you a free bet as compensation. This allows you to at least have a second try at landing a big payday.
Loyalty Program
Just like at a casino, many of the best Connecticut sports betting sites will issue loyalty points to their customers. These can be used to climb the ladder of the rewards scheme, collecting increasingly beneficial perks.
It’s usually the case that players can exchange their accrued points for a gift, too. These may include free bets, odds boost tokens or even physical merchandise like clothing, gadgets and tickets to the big game.
Popular Sports for Betting in Connecticut
Unfortunately, Connecticuters no longer have a top-class local professional team to cheer on, since the Hartford Whalers NHL franchise moved to North Carolina.
However, the locals are still very passionate about sport, with many following teams from nearby states. The New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox are especially popular, for instance. Alongside those teams, the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun attracts some interest, plus a few minor league teams.
Like much of the United States, betting on football is hugely popular in CT. But the locals also enjoy several other sports when it comes to wagering. Below are the most common sports on which Connecticuters bet.
Since the legalization of Connecticut sports betting, it’s become really easy to get started. But if you’re unsure as to what you need to do to place your first bet, check out the following step-by-step guide.
First of all, you’ll need to pick a bookmaker. We recommend choosing from our list at the top of the page, as each of these has been checked by our expert team. They’re secure, they offer generous odds and there are plenty of bonuses.
Visit the betting site by clicking our link, to ensure you don’t end up with a rogue operator looking to steal your personal details. Hit the signup button to open the registration form.
You’ll now have to enter some basic personal details, but don’t worry. This is a perfectly normal thing that all licensed bookmakers have to do. It’ll only take a couple of minutes.
Once you’re done with the registration form, you may be offered a choice of welcome bonuses. This step depends entirely on the chosen betting site. You could be required to enter a promo code, or simply pick from a list.
Next it’s time to add some real money to your account. Visit the cashier, pick out your favorite banking method and follow the instructions on the screen.
That’s literally all there is to it. You now have a betting site that’s fully loaded and ready to go! Take a look at the various betting lines on display and get ready to place your first bet. Have fun!
Payment Options for Sports Betting in CT
If you want to bet with an online bookmaker, you’re going to have to find a way to fund your account. Happily, we can reveal that all of the top Connecticut sports betting sites offer a wide variety of secure, quick and convenient payment options.
Every sportsbook is different, of course. But here are some of the most commonly observed banking options in the Nutmeg State.
Mastercard
Visa
American Express
Discover
Bank Wire
Skrill
Neteller
Paypal
Paysafecard
EcoPayz
Cryptocurrency
Cash deposits at physical properties
Responsible Gambling
For a small minority of the population, gambling can develop into a problem. It’s important to make sure that you stay in control at all times and we’ll talk more about how to do that shortly.
But if you feel as though you may be losing your grip on your wagering, don’t be ashamed. You are not alone. Speak to one of the following organizations for help.
Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling. Visit ccpg.org or call 1-888-789-7777 for information about this non-profit group. Their helpline is available 24 hours a day.
Responsible Play CT. A new venture between the CCPG, the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and the CT Lottery. Learn more at org or call DMHAS toll free on 866-440-4375.
Gamblers Anonymous. Set up in 1957, GA is based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Visit gamblersanonymous.org to learn more about this community-based support group and charity.
Useful Tools
The very best Connecticut sports betting sites take responsible gambling very seriously. They already have a series of tools in place to make sure things don’t get out of hand. Here are some of the controls available to you, to regulate your betting.
Time Limits. Set up an automated reminder to let you know how long you’ve been on the betting site;
Deposit Limits. Impose an upper limit on the amount of money you can put into your gambling account;
Loss Limits. Set a cap on the maximum loss for a single bet or in a fixed period of time;
Time Outs. Take an enforced break for as long as you wish, by locking yourself out of your account;
Self Exclusion. The ultimate responsible gambling control, which bars you entirely from the sportsbook. You will not be allowed to create new accounts and you’ll never receive promotional materials from the bookmaker again.
FAQ
Is sports betting legal in Connecticut?
Yes it is. Since September 2021, CT residents are permitted to place sports bets at physical locations. Legal online sports betting was launched the following month, as DraftKings, Fanduel and SugarHouse all went live.
What is the legal age to place a bet in Connecticut?
You must be 21 to take part in most gambling activities in CT, including sports betting. However, if placing pari-mutuel bets at a physical venue, you only need to be 18 years old.
Can I bet on college sports in Connecticut?
For the most part, yes. Betting on college sports is legal, but there is an exception when the team involved is based in Connecticut. You can still bet, as long as they are in a tournament involving at least four teams. Betting on head to head games involving CT collegiate teams is not permitted.
Is it legal to bet with offshore sportsbooks in Connecticut?
It’s a grey area. To bet online in CT, the bookmaker should really possess a local license. But many top offshore sportsbooks are licensed overseas and base all of their operations outside of the USA. If they aren’t subject to local laws, it’s not really possible for the authorities to stop them operating.
What are the best Connecticut sports betting sites?
According to our industry experts, the best Connecticut sports betting brands are the ones found in our table at the top of the page. All of them have been checked to ensure they offer a safe and enjoyable betting experience.
Online sports betting is a fast-growing phenomenon across the US. More and more states are legalizing online sports betting which makes mobile betting available to the broad public. With the rise of sports betting in mind we where curious what the best sports betting apps are in the US. Browse this guide to learn more ..
