Gambling in Connecticut

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Connecticut has two Indian casinos, Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard and Mohegan Sun in Uncasville. They are operated on tribal lands under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act by the state's two federally recognized tribes, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and the Mohegan Tribe, respectively. A third casino, called the Tribal Winds Casino, was to be jointly owned by the two tribes. It was planned in East Windsor but the deal was scrapped in 2022 when a sports gambling agreement was reached. Any plans to build a casino have been put on hold until 2032.{{cite web | url=https://westfaironline.com/economic-development/connecticut-tribes-halt-plans-for-east-windsor-casino/ | title=Connecticut tribes halt plans for East Windsor casino | date=10 December 2020 }}https://www.ctinsider.com/journalinquirer/article/ct-east-windsor-casino-walmart-19417587.php

The tribes pay 25 percent of their slot machine revenue to the state, in exchange for the state maintaining its prohibition on the machines outside of the two casinos.{{cite news|title=Tribes: Plans to expand slots would invalidate revenue deal|newspaper=Hartford Courant|author=Christopher Keating|date=February 7, 2015|url=http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-ct-gambling-future-20150206-story.html|accessdate=2017-09-04}} As of the 2016-17 fiscal year, the two casinos had a total annual slot handle of $13.2 billion, with winnings of $1.1 billion.{{cite report|title=Foxwoods Casino: Schedule of Selected Video Facsimile/Slot Machine Data|publisher=Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection|url=http://www.ct.gov/dcp/lib/dcp/pdf/gaming/fosltweb.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811235045/http://www.ct.gov/dcp/lib/dcp/pdf/gaming/fosltweb.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 11, 2011|accessdate=2017-09-04}}{{cite report|title=Mohegan Sun Casino: Schedule of Selected Video Facsimile/Slot Machine Data|publisher=Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection|url=http://www.ct.gov/dcp/lib/dcp/pdf/gaming/mosltweb.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211060042/http://www.ct.gov/dcp/lib/dcp/pdf/gaming/mosltweb.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 11, 2012|accessdate=2017-09-04}}

Tribal gaming began in 1986 with the opening of a high-stakes bingo parlor on the Mashantucket Pequot reservation, after a court ruled that state bingo regulations did not apply on the tribe's sovereign land.{{cite news|title=Tribe's latest enterprise: bingo|newspaper=New York Times|author=Dirk Johnson|date=July 12, 1986|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/07/12/nyregion/tribe-s-latest-enterprise-bingo.html|accessdate=2017-09-04}} The operation expanded to include table games in 1992, and slot machines in 1993.{{cite news|title=Not a Grandma Moses picture: Poker in the woods|newspaper=New York Times|author=George Judson|date=February 16, 1992|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/16/nyregion/not-a-grandma-moses-picture-poker-in-the-woods.html|accessdate=2017-09-04}}{{cite news|title=The lines form at Foxwoods as slots make a busy debut|newspaper=New Haven Register|author=Peter Dalpe|date=January 18, 1993|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F108C154AF7C1C33E&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}} The Mohegan Tribe, having gained federal recognition in 1992, opened its casino in 1996.{{cite news|title=Mohegans open Connecticut's second casino|newspaper=New York Times|date=October 13, 1996|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/13/nyregion/mohegans-open-connecticut-s-second-casino.html|accessdate=2017-09-04}}

Parimutuel wagering on horse racing, greyhound racing, and jai alai is offered at sixteen off-track betting (OTB) parlors around the state operated by Sportech, and also at the two tribal casinos.{{cite news|title=With OTB expansion bill signed, Sportech eyes slow growth|newspaper=The Day|location=New London, CT|author=Brian Hallenbeck|date=July 11, 2017|url=http://www.theday.com/article/20170711/NWS01/170719871|accessdate=2017-09-04}}{{cite news|title=Lapsed deal costs Sun horse bets|newspaper=The Bulletin|location=Norwich, CT|author=James Mosher|date=November 13, 2010|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1338EBFA4559FAD8&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}} The Sportech operation had a total annual handle of $168 million as of 2015, with $125 million paid out for winning bets.{{cite report|title=OTB Calendar Year - Handle and Amounts Returned to Public|publisher=Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection|url=http://www.ct.gov/dcp/lib/dcp/pdf/gaming/calendar_year_otb_pari_info.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905190230/http://www.ct.gov/dcp/lib/dcp/pdf/gaming/calendar_year_otb_pari_info.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 5, 2011|accessdate=2017-09-04}} Two greyhound tracks and three jai alai frontons have previously operated in Connecticut.

Horse racing and off-track betting were legalized in 1971.{{cite news|title=Jai alai retires from Connecticut; sport's fans, most elderly, lament|newspaper=New York Times|author=Paul Zielbauer|date=December 13, 2001|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/13/nyregion/jai-alai-retires-from-connecticut-sport-s-fans-most-elderly-lament.html|accessdate=2017-09-02}} Jai alai and dog racing were added the following year. A horse track named Connecticut Park was proposed to be built in Wolcott, but was canceled in the late 1970s after failing to gain state approvals.{{cite news|title=A town that didn't go to the races|newspaper=New York Times|date=August 20, 1992|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/20/nyregion/wolcott-journal-a-town-that-didn-t-go-to-the-races.html?mcubz=1|accessdate=2017-09-02}} The state's OTB operation opened for business in 1976.{{cite news|title=OTB, off on right track, draws $100,000 in wagers|newspaper=Hartford Courant|author=William Cockerham|date=April 30, 1976|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/19892660/otb_off_on_right_track_draws_100000/|via=Newspapers.com}} Jai alai frontons opened in Hartford and Bridgeport in 1976, and in Milford in 1977. The Bridgeport and Hartford frontons closed in 1995, and the Milford fronton followed in 2001. Plainfield Greyhound Park operated from 1976 to 2005 in Plainfield; Shoreline Star Greyhound Park opened at the former jai alai fronton in Bridgeport in 1996, and closed in 2005.{{cite news|title=Luck runs out at Plainfield|newspaper=Hartford Courant|author=Jeff Jacobs|date=May 15, 2005|url=https://www.courant.com/2005/05/15/luck-runs-out-at-plainfield/|access-date=2017-09-02}}{{cite report|title=Bridgeport Shoreline Star Greyhounds|publisher=Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection|url=http://www.ct.gov/dcp/lib/dcp/pdf/gaming/bridgeport_shoreline_star.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812162833/http://www.ct.gov/dcp/lib/dcp/pdf/gaming/bridgeport_shoreline_star.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 12, 2011|accessdate=2017-09-02}}

Eligible non-profit organizations are permitted to conduct several games of chance for fundraising purposes, including bingo, raffles, carnival games (referred to as bazaars) and pull-tabs (referred to as sealed tickets).{{cite web|title=Charitable Games|publisher=Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection|url=http://www.ct.gov/dcp/cwp/view.asp?a=4107&q=483094|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210211645/http://www.ct.gov/dcp/cwp/view.asp?a=4107&q=483094|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 10, 2012|accessdate=2017-09-02}} As of 2015, charitable games in the state had total gross annual revenues of $32.7 million, with the organizations making a profit of $10.6 million.{{cite report|title=Charitable Games Statistics|publisher=Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection|url=http://www.ct.gov/dcp/lib/dcp/pdf/gaming/charitable_games_stats.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211060044/http://www.ct.gov/dcp/lib/dcp/pdf/gaming/charitable_games_stats.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 11, 2012|accessdate=2017-09-02}}

The law allowing charitable bingo was enacted in 1939.{{cite news|title=Charity events expose children to gambling; to what effect?|newspaper=Hartford Courant|author=Lyn Bixby|date=October 9, 1996|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EAF883E19DA9230&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}} It was expanded to allow bazaars and raffles in 1955, and sealed tickets in 1987. Las Vegas nights, featuring casino games like blackjack and roulette, were legalized in 1972, but this was repealed in 2003 in an effort to block the opening of more tribal casinos in the state.{{cite news|title=Experts doubt repeal can hold|newspaper=New York Times|author=Jane Gordon|date=January 12, 2003|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/12/nyregion/experts-doubt-repeal-can-hold.html?mcubz=1|accessdate=2017-09-02}}

The Connecticut Lottery offers scratchcard games and draw games, including the multi-state Powerball and Mega Millions games. As of 2015, the lottery had annual gross sales of $1.1 billion, with $707 million paid out as prizes.{{cite report|title=Lottery Gross Sales, Prizes, Agent Commissions and Transfers|publisher=Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection|url=http://www.ct.gov/dcp/lib/dcp/gaming/pdfs/lottery_gross_sales_prizes_and_transfers.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407071355/http://www.ct.gov/dcp/lib/dcp/gaming/pdfs/lottery_gross_sales_prizes_and_transfers.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 7, 2016|accessdate=2017-09-04}}

The legislature authorized the lottery in 1971, as part of the same bill that legalized parimutuel wagering.{{cite news|title=CDSR has attained major milestones|newspaper=New Haven Register|author=Dan Nowak|date=July 8, 2001|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F108BCAB85B71F09E&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}} Lottery sales began in 1972.

Sports betting was legalized in the state in 2021, to be conducted by the two tribal casinos and the Connecticut Lottery.{{cite news|title=Connecticut given federal approval for online sports betting|work=MassLive|agency=AP|date=September 10, 2021|url=https://www.masslive.com/casinos/2021/09/connecticut-given-federal-approval-for-online-sports-betting.html|access-date=2021-10-23}} Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun offer betting online and at their casinos, in partnership with DraftKings and FanDuel, respectively.{{cite news|title=Connecticut online sports betting set to fully begin Tuesday|agency=Associated Press|author=Susan Haigh|date=October 18, 2021|url=https://apnews.com/article/sports-business-arts-and-entertainment-connecticut-sports-betting-17c58c3ae27c6b5b049040fed04d52d9|access-date=2021-10-23}} The lottery, in partnership with Rush Street Interactive, offers online betting, and offers sportsbooks at several of the Sportech OTB venues.{{cite news|title=Sportech confirms full sports betting launch in Connecticut |work=Gambling Insider|date=November 1, 2021|url=https://www.gamblinginsider.com/news/13713/sportech-confirms-full-sports-betting-launch-in-connecticut|accessdate=2023-01-10}}

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{{Lists of casinos by U.S. state}}

Category:Connecticut law

Connecticut