Connecticut became the seventh state to legalize online poker when Gov. Ned Lamont signed HB6451 into law in May. However, there are still significant obstacles to overcome. We have explored the likelihood of legal online poker games in Connecticut taking place any time soon. Does the Connecticut Online Gambling Bill Include Poker?
HB6451 legalized online poker along with online CT sports betting and casino gaming. It created three master licensees: the Mashantucket Pequot , the Mohegan Tribe and the Connecticut Lottery . Each of those licensees was permitted to host one online skin.
The Mashantucket Pequot went for DraftKings , the Mohegan Tribe partnered with FanDuel and the Lottery chose SugarHouse . The online skin covers all forms of wagering – sports betting, daily fantasy sports, casino gaming, and poker – so DraftKings, FanDuel and SugarHouse are the only three companies that could potentially launch online poker in the state.
All three brands will be able to launch video poker games and live dealer options like Caribbean Stud as part of their online casino offerings. However, real money online poker games will be another matter entirely. Is PokerStars CT the Most Likely Option?
It certainly is. FanDuel is owned by Flutter Entertainment, the world’s largest online gambling company. It also owns PokerStars , the number one online poker brand in the world. Therefore, Flutter can launch PokerStars in Connecticut as part of its deal with the Mohegan. PokerStars is already live in Michigan , New Jersey and Pennsylvania , so a launch in Connecticut isn’t that much of a stretch.
Right now, DraftKings doesn’t offer online poker . That could change if it is successful in its bid to purchase London-listed gambling giant Entain. It submitted a $22 billion bid for the company last month, which the board is considering. Entain is famous in the US for being the co-owner of BetMGM, but it also runs popular online gambling brands including Ladbrokes, Coral, Bwin and partypoker. If DraftKings snaps up Entain, it could launch the partypoker offering in Connecticut.
An Illinois-based company called Rush Street Interactive owns SugarHouse, along with BetRivers. It does […]
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