Gambling in Connecticut

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Legal forms of gambling in the U.S. state of Connecticut include two Indian casinos (Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun), parimutuel wagering, charitable gaming, the Connecticut Lottery, and sports betting.

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Casinos

Foxwoods Casino Foxwood Casino.JPG
Foxwoods Casino

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, to be jointly owned by the two tribes, is planned in East Windsor but has been held up by legal proceedings. [1]

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. [2] 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. [3] [4]

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. [5] The operation expanded to include table games in 1992, and slot machines in 1993. [6] [7] The Mohegan Tribe, having gained federal recognition in 1992, opened its casino in 1996. [8]

Parimutuel wagering

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. [9] [10] The Sportech operation had a total annual handle of $168 million as of 2015, with $125 million paid out for winning bets. [11] Two greyhound tracks and three jai alai frontons have previously operated in Connecticut.

Horse racing and off-track betting were legalized in 1971. [12] Jai alai and dog racing were added the following year. [12] 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. [13] The state's OTB operation opened for business in 1976. [14] Jai alai frontons opened in Hartford and Bridgeport in 1976, and in Milford in 1977. [12] The Bridgeport and Hartford frontons closed in 1995, and the Milford fronton followed in 2001. [12] 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. [15] [16]

Charitable gaming

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). [17] 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. [18]

The law allowing charitable bingo was enacted in 1939. [19] It was expanded to allow bazaars and raffles in 1955, and sealed tickets in 1987. [19] 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. [20]

Lottery

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. [21]

The legislature authorized the lottery in 1971, as part of the same bill that legalized parimutuel wagering. [22] Lottery sales began in 1972. [22]

Sports betting

Sports betting was legalized in the state in 2021, to be conducted by the two tribal casinos and the Connecticut Lottery. [23] Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun offer betting online and at their casinos, in partnership with DraftKings and FanDuel, respectively. [24] The lottery, in partnership with Rush Street Interactive, offers online betting, and offers sportsbooks at several of the Sportech OTB venues. [24] [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Native American gaming</span> Gambling operations on Indian reservations in the United States

Native American gaming comprises casinos, bingo halls, slots halls and other gambling operations on Indian reservations or other tribal lands in the United States. Because these areas have tribal sovereignty, states have limited ability to forbid gambling there, as codified by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. As of 2011, there were 460 gambling operations run by 240 tribes, with a total annual revenue of $27 billion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jai alai</span> Type of sport

Jai alai is a sport involving bouncing a ball off a walled-in space by accelerating it to high speeds with a hand-held wicker, commonly referred to as a cesta. It is a variation of Basque pelota. The term jai alai, coined by Serafin Baroja in 1875, is also often loosely applied to the fronton where matches take place. The game, whose name means "merry festival" in Basque, is called cesta-punta in the Basque Country. The sport is played worldwide, but especially in Spain, France, the U.S. state of Florida, and in various Latin American countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foxwoods Resort Casino</span> Hotel and casino complex in Connecticut

Foxwoods Resort Casino is a hotel and casino complex owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation on their reservation located in Ledyard, Connecticut. Including six casinos, the resort covers an area of 9,000,000 sq ft (840,000 m2). The casinos have more than 250 gaming tables for blackjack, craps, roulette, and poker, and have more than 5,500 slot machines. The casinos also have several restaurants, among them a Hard Rock Cafe. It has been developed since changes in state and federal laws in the late 20th century enabled Native American gaming on the sovereign reservations of federally recognized tribes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Racino</span> Combined casino and horse racing venue

A racino is a combined horse racing track, or other live parimutuel betting facility, and casino. In some cases, the permitted form of casino gambling is limited to slot machines or video lottery terminals, but many locations also offer table games such as blackjack, poker, and roulette. As of the end of 2023, there were approximately 50 racinos operating in the United States. Racinos operate in other countries, including Canada and France, as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sportsbook</span> Sports gambling establishment

A sportsbook is a venue where a gambler can wager on various sports competitions, such as golf, football, basketball, baseball, ice hockey, soccer, horse racing, greyhound racing, boxing, and mixed martial arts. The method of betting varies with the sport and the type of game. In the US, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 allowed only Nevada, Oregon, Montana, and Delaware to legally wager on sports other than horse racing, greyhound racing, and jai alai; the law was ruled unconstitutional on May 14, 2018, freeing states to legalize sports betting at their discretion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohegan Sun</span> American hotel and casino in Connecticut

Mohegan Sun is an American casino, owned and operated by the Mohegan Tribe on 240 acres (97 ha) of their reservation, along the banks of the Thames River in Uncasville, Connecticut. It has 364,000 square feet of gambling space.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gambling in the United States</span>

In the United States, gambling is subject to a variety of legal restrictions. In 2008, gambling activities generated gross revenues of $92.27 billion in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daily double</span> Wager used in horse and dog racing

A daily double is a parimutuel wager offered by horse racing and greyhound racing tracks in North America. Bettors wager on the winners of two consecutive races, pre-designated by the track for a particular race day. The wager is made before either of the two races is run, and is only successful if both of the selections are correct. The daily double is usually the first two races on the program, and most racetracks now also offer a "late double" on the final two races. Daily doubles may also be found in other sports with parimutuel betting, such as jai alai.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Light & Wonder</span> American electronic gaming and gambling company

Light & Wonder, Inc., formerly Scientific Games Corporation (SG), is an American corporation that provides gambling products and services. The company is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connecticut Lottery</span> Official lottery in Connecticut, US

The Connecticut Lottery Corporation, also called the CT Lottery, is the official lottery in Connecticut. It was created in 1971 by then-Gov. Thomas Meskill, who signed Public Act No. 865. The first tickets were sold on February 15, 1972. The Connecticut Lottery offers several in-house drawing games; Connecticut also participates in Mega Millions and Powerball; each are played in 44 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gambling in Oregon</span>

Gambling in Oregon relates to the laws, regulations, and authorized forms of gambling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bally's Twin River Lincoln</span> Hotel and casino in Rhode Island, United States

Bally's Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort, previously Twin River Casino Hotel, is a casino, hotel, and former race track in Lincoln, Rhode Island, owned and operated by Bally's Corporation. The facility has 202,000 square feet (18,800 m2) of gaming space, with 3,900 slot machines, 110 table games, and 23 poker tables. The hotel has 136 rooms. Other amenities include a 29,000-square-foot (2,700 m2) event center, 16 eateries, 8 bars, and a racebook.

Legal forms of gambling in the U.S. state of North Carolina include the North Carolina Education Lottery, three Indian casinos, charitable bingo and raffles, and low-stakes "beach bingo". North Carolina has long resisted expansion of gambling, owing to its conservative Bible Belt culture.

Legal forms of gambling in the U.S. state of Texas include the Texas Lottery; parimutuel wagering on horse and greyhound racing; charitable bingo and raffles; and three Native American casinos. Other forms of gambling are illegal in Texas.

Historical horse racing (HHR), originally known as Instant Racing, is an electronic gambling product that allows players to bet on replays of horse races or dog races that have already been run, using terminals that typically resemble slot machines.

Legal forms of gambling in the U.S. state of Massachusetts include casinos, sports betting, parimutuel wagering on horse racing, the Massachusetts Lottery, and charitable gaming. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission regulates commercial operations under state jurisdiction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gambling in California</span>

Legal forms of gambling in the U.S. state of California include cardrooms, Indian casinos, the California State Lottery, parimutuel wagering on horse racing, and charitable gaming. Commercial casino-style gaming is prohibited.

Legal forms of gambling in the U.S. state of Maine include parimutuel wagering on horse races, sports betting, the Maine Lottery, two casinos, and charitable gaming.

Legal forms of gambling in the U.S. state of New Hampshire include the New Hampshire Lottery, sports betting, parimutuel wagering, and charitable gaming. The state's Gaming Regulatory Oversight Authority (GROA) is part of the New Hampshire Lottery Commission, which also maintains an Investigative & Compliance Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ocala Gainesville Poker</span>

Ocala Gainesville Poker was a casino and former Jai Alai fronton located in Orange Lake, Florida, that specialized in poker tournaments and live poker games. It was located midway between Ocala and Gainesville. The facility had 28 poker tables and 18 large plasma TVs that could be customized to display preferred sporting events or tracks for Inter Track Wagering (ITW) such as horse or dog races. The casino offered tableside massages at a rate of $1 per minute. A bar and café was available on-site. Hosting private parties and tournaments was available at the venue. The establishment also had a jai alai team when in season. The facility was 60,000 square feet and on a 50-acre property.

References

  1. ↑ Christopher Keating (December 12, 2018). "Lawmakers will make new push to complete East Windsor casino". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
  2. ↑ Christopher Keating (February 7, 2015). "Tribes: Plans to expand slots would invalidate revenue deal". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 2017-09-04.
  3. ↑ Foxwoods Casino: Schedule of Selected Video Facsimile/Slot Machine Data (PDF) (Report). Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. Retrieved 2017-09-04.
  4. ↑ Mohegan Sun Casino: Schedule of Selected Video Facsimile/Slot Machine Data (PDF) (Report). Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. Retrieved 2017-09-04.
  5. ↑ Dirk Johnson (July 12, 1986). "Tribe's latest enterprise: bingo". New York Times. Retrieved 2017-09-04.
  6. ↑ George Judson (February 16, 1992). "Not a Grandma Moses picture: Poker in the woods". New York Times. Retrieved 2017-09-04.
  7. ↑ Peter Dalpe (January 18, 1993). "The lines form at Foxwoods as slots make a busy debut". New Haven Register– via NewsBank.
  8. ↑ "Mohegans open Connecticut's second casino". New York Times. October 13, 1996. Retrieved 2017-09-04.
  9. ↑ Brian Hallenbeck (July 11, 2017). "With OTB expansion bill signed, Sportech eyes slow growth". The Day. New London, CT. Retrieved 2017-09-04.
  10. ↑ James Mosher (November 13, 2010). "Lapsed deal costs Sun horse bets". The Bulletin. Norwich, CT – via NewsBank.
  11. ↑ OTB Calendar Year - Handle and Amounts Returned to Public (PDF) (Report). Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. Retrieved 2017-09-04.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Paul Zielbauer (December 13, 2001). "Jai alai retires from Connecticut; sport's fans, most elderly, lament". New York Times. Retrieved 2017-09-02.
  13. ↑ "A town that didn't go to the races". New York Times. August 20, 1992. Retrieved 2017-09-02.
  14. ↑ William Cockerham (April 30, 1976). "OTB, off on right track, draws $100,000 in wagers". Hartford Courant– via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ Jeff Jacobs (May 15, 2005). "Luck runs out at Plainfield". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 2017-09-02.
  16. ↑ Bridgeport Shoreline Star Greyhounds (PDF) (Report). Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. Retrieved 2017-09-02.
  17. ↑ "Charitable Games". Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. Retrieved 2017-09-02.
  18. ↑ Charitable Games Statistics (PDF) (Report). Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. Retrieved 2017-09-02.
  19. 1 2 Lyn Bixby (October 9, 1996). "Charity events expose children to gambling; to what effect?". Hartford Courant– via NewsBank.
  20. ↑ Jane Gordon (January 12, 2003). "Experts doubt repeal can hold". New York Times. Retrieved 2017-09-02.
  21. ↑ Lottery Gross Sales, Prizes, Agent Commissions and Transfers (PDF) (Report). Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. Retrieved 2017-09-04.
  22. 1 2 Dan Nowak (July 8, 2001). "CDSR has attained major milestones". New Haven Register– via NewsBank.
  23. ↑ "Connecticut given federal approval for online sports betting". MassLive. AP. September 10, 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  24. 1 2 Susan Haigh (October 18, 2021). "Connecticut online sports betting set to fully begin Tuesday". Associated Press. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  25. ↑ "Sportech confirms full sports betting launch in Connecticut". Gambling Insider. November 1, 2021. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
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