Potential Poker Operators That Could Launch Operations In Connecticut

The United States is now home to seven regulated online poker markets, with the recent addition of Connecticut. The state successfully passed an online gambling bill in May, paving the way for legalized online poker online casino, and sports betting in the state.

Connecticut is home to the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville, and the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, operated by the state’s two federally recognized tribes, the Mohegan Tribe and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, respectively.

Prior to signing House Bill 6451 into law, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont entered into an agreement with both tribes on a comprehensive gambling expansion plan which would see both tribal groups maintain sole rights to operate online casino as well as online poker in the state. They would also be able to offer sports betting, alongside the Connecticut Lottery.

FOX 61

 

With the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot Tribe currently the only ones authorized to offer online poker in Connecticut, just two online poker sites can go live in the state for the time being.

With a population of just 3.5 million, Connecticut is not expected to immediately draw that much interest from online poker operators, though market size will become insignificant once interstate agreements become a reality.

At the moment, there’s high possibility that the regulated markets across the country will soon join the existing multi-state agreement between New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware, given the recent positive developments in relation to the Wire Act case. This will give online operators enough reason to expand to other states, including Connecticut.

PokerStars Has The Edge

When regulated online poker market will go live in Connecticut remains to be seen, but we can assume that online poker sites could now be planning their entry into the state, with PokerStars having the upper hand to launch first.

PokerStars’ prior link to the Mohegan Tribe, via its New Jersey operations, gives the operator an advantage when it comes to securing a license to operate in Connecticut. The Mohegan Tribe also operates the Resorts Casino in NJ, the land-based partner of PokerStars NJ.

Another serious candidate to seek for a CT license is WSOP.com, which is also set to launch in Pennsylvania and Michigan this year. The site already operates in both Nevada and New Jersey, and Connecticut would be a good addition to the company’s US operations, especially if interstate deals take effect.

888poker is a long-time partner of WSOP.com. The company said its partnership with Caesars and WSOP remain their top priority, so we cannot expect 888poker to enter CT if WSOP.com shows interest to launch there.