Is Sports Betting Legal in Connecticut?
Connecticut is an unusual state when it comes to betting, as it allows its citizens to bet and play games among their friends. However, when it comes to Sportsbooks or playing outside of tribal casinos, Connecticut has strict laws in place that make it illegal for residents to do so without risk. Two large tribal casinos provide the opportunity for citizens to legally place bets and participate in games, but there is still no legal way to bet on sports within the state.
In Connecticut, the law distinguishes between casual betting among friends and participating in professional gambling. Section 52-278a of the Connecticut General Statutes defines ‘gambling’ as risking any money or other thing of value for gain contingent on chance or a gambling device. Professional gambling is defined as accepting or offering to accept, for profit, money, credits, deposits or other things of value risked in gambling. Bookmaking and pool-selling are also explicitly prohibited. Under Section 53-278b, any person who engages in professional gambling is guilty of a class B misdemeanor, while casual betting is exempt from prosecution.
Sports Betting
Betting on sports with a Sportsbook carries a risk of being charged with a class B misdemeanor in Connecticut, while the penalty for the Sportsbook accepting those bets or any location permitting professional gambling is more severe, at a Class A misdemeanor. This makes betting on sports with local Sportsbooks a dangerous endeavor.
While online sports betting from your own home is safer than from a public place, it is still technically illegal in Connecticut. Offshore sportsbooks that accept the wagers are partaking in the state’s definition of “professional gambling”, which could lead to consequences for CT residents who partake. Bettors must weigh the pros and cons of betting with an offshore bookmaker and do so at their own risk; while there are no specific laws targeting online gamblers in Connecticut and no one has faced legal action yet, it is not 100% safe.
Online Poker
Connecticut residents can play online poker on the Mohegan Sun website, but only with play money – to wager real funds, they must go to an offshore poker room. This breaks law which forbids gambling outside of tribal casinos, as an offshore poker room is considered a professional gambling establishment. Poker players in CT have legal options for live games, such as at the two Native American casinos and local house games between friends. Governor Dan Malloy has said that he believes legislation for online poker is likely, but he does not plan on supporting it if it comes to pass.
Horse Racing
While there is no live horse racing in Connecticut, the state does allow bettors to legally place wagers on horse races around the country at designated off-track betting locations. Additionally, CT residents can bet on horses online through a state-sanctioned online wagering portal.
That said, please bet responsibly!
Betting Laws By States
