Best Connecticut Online Casinos

As the richest U.S. state with the highest income per capita of $76,106, Connecticut could draw outrageous revenues from the industry of online gambling, but it is still lax to regulate it. Unlike offline gambling, which is doing pretty well, though represented only by two land-based casinos – Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods – its online analog is lagging behind, being limited to fantasy sports and social casino games.

Yes, that’s right – no traditional casino games are allowed in the state…but it’s only on paper. In reality, thousands of players from Connecticut access international online casinos without any worries of being banned or punished. Indeed, the world is your oyster as long as you choose a reliable casino and play consciously; nevertheless, it’s only wise to learn the legal side of the question. So read on.

Laws Affecting Online Gambling in Connecticut

Home to 3.5 million people, the 29th most popular U.S. state, Connecticut has a very limited number of legalized online gambling games. At the same time, there are no specific Connecticut online gambling laws at all – except for the General Statutes of Connecticut Section 53-278a(2) that forbids any gambling activity in the state unless authorized by law – as well as no clear references to online gambling (except for the mentioned section of the General Statutes forbids to purchase raffle tickets on websites). So the answer to the question ‘is online gambling legal in Connecticut’ would be No, unless you are talking about social casinos or daily fantasy sports – the two legalized (‘about to be legalized’ would be a more accurate term for fantasy sports, though) forms of online gambling.

The most well-known social casinos are located on the websites of Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun. These slots offer you the same layouts and the same features that you would expect to see, but you cannot go further than sampling the idea of the game and then play it for real money at the land-based casinos.

Other social casinos worth mentioning are MyVegas, the MGM-driven website, as well as Slotomania, Double Down Casino, Zynga, and Big Fish.

Sports Betting in Connecticut

The situation with sports betting in Connecticut is not that simple. On the one hand, there are two operators already running daily fantasy sports – FanDuel and DraftKings – which makes it only logical to assume that fantasy sports betting is legal. On the other hand, the regulatory framework for sports betting – in both online and offline forms – is still not clearly established, which is why there might be some unfavorable changes regarding fantasy sports betting. Meanwhile, though, you can use the mentioned operators without second thoughts.

Whether the field of sports betting is to be streamlined in the nearest future is still unclear. Several bills on the legalization of sports betting were introduced to the General Assembly, but the question is still hanging in the air for the inability to reach a compromise with the Native American tribes that run Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods, the two biggest revenue-generators in the state. That said, no one has ever been punished for playing on offshore sports betting websites – you can play there as well while waiting for sports betting issues to be solved in the state.

Interesting Facts about Online Gambling in Connecticut

The path to the first forms of legalized gambling – Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos, charitable games, pari-mutuel wagering, and the Connecticut Lottery – has started in the 1990s when the first casinos began to pop in the state. Surprisingly, not too much has changed since that time except for maybe the plans to open the third brick-and-mortar casino in East Windsor. Other than that, everything is quiet and calm.

The field of online gambling in Connecticut is dormant as well. The only long-lasting commotion is about the status of sports betting and online sports betting in particular. And while it’s pretty clear why Connecticut online gambling cannot be regulated properly right now – first of all, the individual interests of the tribes that draw most of the gambling revenues; secondly, the lack of strong will in the local government – only God knows how much time it will take.

Meanwhile, more and more punters resort to using international online casinos and sports bookies: as being said, not a single player has ever been punished for gambling on offshore websites.

Getting Help for Problem Gambling in Connecticut

Taking care of the mental health of gamblers and fighting gambling addiction, Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection aggregates the helpful resources that anyone can contact to deal with any gambling-related mental problems:

• The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling – free live chat help throughout the week (Monday-Friday from 5 pm to midnight, Saturday-Sunday from noon to midnight), toll-free gambling helplines (888.789.7777 or 800.346.6238), print resources, events, news, and other information on fighting gambling addiction.

• The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) – Problem Gambling Services, which include recovery services and advice on gambling choices.

• Bettor Choice Program – outpatient treatment programs that run in more than 16 locations across Connecticut and gambling counseling available by phone, toll-free, 866.440.4375.

In addition, there are national-scale organizations – Gamblers Anonymous, Gam-Anon, National Problem Gambling Helpline (800.522.4700) – helping problematic gamblers. Last but not least, all USA online casinos employ the ‘responsible gambling’ section that warns about possible negative effects of gambling.