Connecticut Lottery and RSI launch retail sports betting

The Connecticut Lottery Corporation and its sports betting partner, Rush Street Interactive (RSI), have launched their retail wagering product.

The two partners teamed up with pari-mutuel solutions provider Sportech to open the state’s first commercial retail sportsbook at Sports Haven in New Haven on Monday. The venue, which is owned by Sportech, is one of the 15 locations selected to host the Lottery’s physical sportsbooks across the state.

The official opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Sports Haven, with Governor Ned Lamont placing the ceremonial first bet. Lamont backed the New York Giants to beat the Kansas City Chiefs in their Monday night game with a $20 bet.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, the excited Governor said: “It’s about so much more than this, it’s about bringing this facility to life. It’s part of bringing our cities back to life, one more reason to visit New Haven and one more reason to visit Connecticut.”

The retail wagering venue bears the PlaySugarHouse brand, just like the Lottery’s mobile betting app.

CT Lottery ‘honored’ to have statewide retail monopoly

The President and CEO of the CT Lottery, Greg Smith, also issued a statement during the launch. In his remarks, Smith said that the rollout of in-person sports betting in Connecticut was a long-awaited moment for Nutmeggers. He also said that the Lottery was delighted to be the only statewide retail operator, and went on to promise players a top notch in-person betting experience at its physical sportsbooks statewide.

“This has been a long time coming for Connecticut players, and we’re honored to be the only statewide operator. Together with our partners Rush Street Interactive and Sportech Venues, we can offer bettors world-class in-person sportsbooks at accessible locations throughout the state and mobile sports betting under the PlaySugarHouse brand,” Smith said.

Rob Simmelkjaer, Chairman of the Connecticut Lottery Corporation Board, supported Smith’s remarks with a statement thanking Governor Lamont and his administration for their immense support in the process of legalizing sports betting in the state.

“We also want to acknowledge that this day would not have been possible without the tireless and collaborative work on the part of Governor Lamont, his staff, and our legislative leaders. Their efforts led to a deal that benefits all of Connecticut,” said Simmelkjaer.

The Connecticut Lottery is one of three operators approved to offer both online and retail sports betting in the Nutmeg State, the other two being the Mohegan Tribe and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal nation. The tribal operators, however, are only allowed to run physical sportsbooks within their premises.

More PlaySugarHouse sportsbooks to launch in coming weeks

The opening of the retail sports betting lounge at Sports Havens marks the beginning of a statewide rollout of PlaySugarHouse sportsbooks which is expected to pick up momentum in the coming days.

The Connecticut sports wagering law authorizes the Lottery Corporation to operate up to 15 on-site sportsbooks across the state, and the operator has selected Sportech as its retail partner in several cities.

Following the successful launch in New Haven, bettors in Windsor and Stamford can look forward to a similar world-class in-person wagering and sports viewing experience at Bobby V’s Restaurant & Sports Bar locations in the near future. The companies have also revealed plans to launch at seven additional Sportech venues in Hartford, Manchester, Milford, New Britain, Norwalk, Torrington, and Waterbury in the coming weeks.