How We Rank CT Online Casinos
The duel between Mohegan Sun online casino and DraftKings is a tightly contested affair. Both usa online gambling apps have a lot to offer, making it difficult for players to choose one. This is why we have decided to analyze the key performance indicators of both sites to help narrow down the choice and break the tie.
Licensing and Security
There is no leeway and wiggle room for licensing and security. All online casinos in Connecticut need to be licensed and regulated by the Gaming Division of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. Their seal of approval is visible at the bottom of each casino’s homepage and shows that the platform meets at least the Minimum Internal Control Standards (MICS) set by the department.
These standards refer to the levels of security and control. For example, the technical standards demand the operators to use at least the 256-bit cryptographic hash algorithm encryption to protect the data. The regulator observes various other security protocols and fairness standards that make sure your information and financial transactions are never at risk.
Game Variety
Game variety can be a deciding factor when picking an online casino. CT online casinos feature a commendable choice of slots, table games, video poker, and live dealer games from the leading software providers in the industry.
Selection of Bonuses and Promotions
Connecticut casinos resort to bonuses and promotions to gain the upper hand over the competitors and attract new customers. You can find plenty of sign up, reload, cashback, loyalty, and many other promotions in these casinos. However, to determine their true worth, we go through the CT online casino imposed terms and conditions, such as wagering requirements, max win caps, etc. We always opt for the casino with the most lenient T&Cs.
User Experience
The look and feel of the site are equally as important as its gaming offer. We want to see a casino with a sleek design, fast-loading pages, and zero glitches and bugs that hinder the gaming experience. Operators with intuitive sites deserve the praise and a spot on our list.
Banking
CT online casinos offer a decent amount of deposit and withdrawal options that include but are not limited to e-wallets, online banking methods, bank transfer, credit/debit cards, and others. The transactions in top Connecticut online casinos are processed almost instantly and have optimal limits that cater to players with various budgets.
Mobile Play
An increasing number of Connecticuters use their smartphones and tablets to access secure mobile casinos, so we made sure all sites have been optimized accordingly. What’s more, the platforms should feature native Android and iOS apps that players can download from their respective stores and enjoy greater stability and customization options.
Customer Support
In case you experience technical difficulties or have questions about the current bonuses, you need a friendly and responsive customer support team on your side. Online casinos in Connecticut offer you various communication channels, such as live chat, email, or phone, to help you get in touch with customer support agents round the clock.
A Brief History of Gambling in Connecticut
Even though 2021 was a momentous year for gambling in Connecticut, it did not mark the start of gambling in the state. The first legal forms of gambling were bingo games, legalized in 1939. Raffles and bazaars were regulated as early as 1955, while the lottery was first introduced in 1972 under the Division of Special Revenue (DOSR) leadership. The DOSR continued to operate the lottery until 1996, when the Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC) was founded and took over.
The DOSR also started managing off-track betting in Connecticut. Live greyhound racing started in 1976 at the Plainfield Greyhound Park. That same year, betting on Jai alai began, and the first frontons emerged in Bridgeport and Hartford, followed by another one in Milford in 1977. Over the years, the frontons were either turned into greyhound racetracks or closed, ending betting on this exciting sport.
Interestingly, horse race betting is allowed in Connecticut, but there are no horse racetracks in the Nutmeg state.
The first moves towards legalized casino gambling were made in 1992 when the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe opened Foxwoods Resort Casino. In 1996, the Mohegan Tribe opened the Mohegan Sun Casino, the state’s second land-based casino.
When the tidal wave of legalized online casino gambling swept across the US, it took some time for Connecticut to catch up. In March 2021, Governor Ned Lamont signed new gaming compacts with the tribes to run commercial online casinos and sportsbooks. The new gaming legislation, House Bill 6451, a part of a larger Public Act No. 21-23, was signed into law on May 27, 2021, marking the full legalization of online casinos and sportsbooks.
On October 19, 2021, the two online casinos started operating for the public. It remains to be seen if the legislation will change to allow new online casinos to open or at least to let tribes have more than one casino skin. This move would diversify the gaming offer substantially and bring even more revenue to the state coffers.
Connecticut Gambling Laws
According to gambling laws in Connecticut, Mohegan Tribe and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation casinos can only have one skin for their online casino and sportsbook, together with the retail sportsbooks at the casino floor. Also, the Connecticut Lottery Corporation is permitted to operate 15 retail sportsbooks and one online sportsbook. In partnership with Rush Street Interactive, the CT Lottery launched PlaySugarHouse online sportsbook on October 19, 2021.
The gambling law sets out clear rules regarding the games’ technical aspects. For example, all house-banked games need to have an RTP of at least 80%.
The law also defines the rules regarding gaming taxation in the state. Namely, online casinos are obliged to pay an annual tax of 18% for the first five years of business, after which the tax rate is set at 20% for the next five-year period. Licenses are issued with a 10-year expiration date, after which operators can apply for a 5-year extension.
On the other hand, online sports wagering is taxed with a 13.75% rate.
Connecticut Online Casino Games
Considering that some Connecticut players are not acquainted with online casino gaming, we’ll discuss the available gaming options. CT online casinos work hard to diversify the game offering and create different categories. These categories are home to hundreds of titles from the best-known software providers in the industry, such as IGT, NetEnt, and others.
In the sections below, you can find detailed information regarding the most popular games in Connecticut, their payout rates, gameplay, and more.
Video Slots
Slots represent the most popular gaming category in both brick and mortar and online casinos. The one-armed bandits comprise almost 90% of all games in Connecticut online casinos, and for a good reason. These games are easy to play and don’t require any prior experience.
Most of the time, you only need to set your bet value, which can go from a few pennies to a few hundred dollars and hit the spin button. The games’ outcomes are produced randomly and irrespective of previous spins thanks to a Random Number Generator (RNG) software.
The payout rates and hit frequencies differ from game to game, but as we have pointed out, the minimum RTP is set at 80%. Most slot games feature an RTP of 90% or more.
It is important to note that software developers create slots with various themes, concepts, and game engines. The structure of the playing grid differs greatly, and so does the payout potential. Considering these aspects, we can differentiate between several groups of slots:
- 3-reel slots (classic slots) — If the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of slots are bells, lucky 7s, and fruits, you’re picturing 3-reel slots. These slots feature between one and five paylines and are mostly devoid of any complex bonus features.
- 5-reel slots — 5-reelers dominate the world of online casinos nowadays, and CT casinos are no different. These slots come equipped with multiple payline structures and many bonuses and extra features such as free spins, prize multipliers, and more.
- Clusters — Cluster-pay slots have a distinct pay structure. In other words, while most other slots need to have at least three identical symbols on a payline to form a win, cluster slots require groups of symbols to pair on the grid horizontally and vertically.
- Megaways — Megaways slots are slots based on a proprietary game engine developed by BTG and licensed to other developers. Instead of classic paylines, Megaways slots feature random positions on the grid, resulting in hundreds of thousands of ways to win.
Progressive jackpot slots — Progressive jackpot slots are games with the biggest prize pots in all of CT online casinos. Every time you place a bet on one of these games, a portion of it goes to the common pot. You can win progressive jackpots at any point, worth millions of dollars.
Table Games
While slots might be the most numerous category in Connecticut online casinos, that does not mean other types of casino games are neglected. On the contrary, you can find scores of exciting blackjack, roulette, poker, craps, baccarat, and other games under this section.
CT casinos mostly focus on blackjack and roulette games such as Multihand Blackjack, American Blackjack, American Roulette, European Roulette, and others. Apart from these standard variations, you can find games such as Spanish 21, Perfect Pairs Blackjack, Mini Roulette, Double-ball Roulette, and many others with innovative gameplay and betting structures.
The outcomes of table games largely depend on RNG algorithms. However, with games such as blackjack and roulette, you can employ various betting strategies to affect your success rate. These strategies aim to decrease the house edge and give you more chances of success.
Video Poker
Video poker games are among the most sought-after games in every CT online casino. Apart from slots, there probably aren’t that many games that are more synonymous with casino gaming than video poker games.
Their main characteristics and features are a low house edge and great payout opportunities. The chief examples of video poker are Tens or Better, Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, and many others that you can find in Connecticut.
Live Dealer Games
The technology behind live dealer games has forever blurred the lines between in-person and online casino gambling. Namely, HD streams of table games such as roulette, poker, blackjack, baccarat, and others allow players to experience the gaming atmosphere of land-based casinos while placing bets from the comforts of their homes or on the go.
You can rely on various in-game options to customize your gaming experience, such as changing camera angles, using live chat to communicate with the dealer and other players, and more.
Besides live dealer versions of blackjack, roulette, and other games, online casinos in Connecticut also feature game shows and other exciting titles that combine RNG and live dealer gameplay elements, such as Dream Catcher, Monopoly Live, and others.
Connecticut Online Casino Bonuses
Even though the competition among Connecticut online casinos has just started to build, every customer counts. These casinos use bonuses to appeal to new users and retain the existing ones. The bonuses can boost the players’ initial bankrolls or give some bonus cash every time you deposit.
You can encounter plenty of types of bonuses and promotions in a Connecticut online casino, from welcome deposit bonuses to no deposit deals, reload, and loyalty promotions. Let’s take a closer look at these bonuses to learn more about what you can expect.
Welcome Deposit Bonuses
A welcome deposit bonus is the most common form of online casino bonus in Connecticut. New players who register an account for the first time and make a deposit will have that deposit matched in bonus funds up to a certain amount. Casinos usually match 100% of the initial deposit up to a limit as high as $1,000.
Sometimes, the operators offer welcome bonus packages that match not only your first deposit but a couple of subsequent ones. These promo packages can also include some free spins on the side to help you test the slots without risking your own money.
Risk-Free Bets
Risk-free bets are types of promotions where the casino refunds 100% of your net losses accrued during your first day of play up to a certain sum. Say you start playing high-roller slots and lose $500 during the first 24 hours. As a goodwill token, a Connecticut online casino will refund those $500 in site credit within 72 hours. You can then use the bonus to play casino games and clear the wagering requirements to turn it into real cash.
Remember, there will always be a limit on how much the casino will credit your account. The good thing is that the risk-free bet promotions in Connecticut are often valued at $1,000.
No Deposit Bonuses
No deposit bonuses are another form of casino promotion aimed at new users. Once you register and verify your account, you can expect a small amount of bonus money credited to your account as a part of the no deposit welcome gift.
Just as the name suggests, the no deposit bonus does not require a deposit to award the bonus. Just register your account, verify it, and you’ll be good to go.
Free Spins
Free spins can come as part of the registration promo package and in the form of reload bonuses for existing users. Connecticut online casinos typically offer free spins on specific slots. They are usually valued at the minimum bet amount in that game, and their number rarely exceeds twenty. Still, you can use the spins to test the games and possibly even earn real money if you manage to clear the wagering requirements first.
Loyalty/VIP Programs
Loyalty or VIP programs are promotions designed to reward players for putting their trust into legal Connecticut online casinos. Every time you place a real money casino wager, you’ll receive some loyalty or comp points. You can trade those points for different prizes, such as special bonuses, free play, and more.
Also, each loyalty program consists of multiple tiers. To reach a higher tier, you need to place a certain number of bets. The more you bet, the faster you obtain the tier points and move up the bonus levels. Some of the prizes that await the top VIP prizes include invitations to events, complimentary stay at hotels, faster payouts, higher transaction limits, and more.
How to Start Playing in Connecticut Online Casinos
This straightforward step-by-step guide will tell you how to register an account and start playing in CT online casinos.
- Follow the links from our page that will lead you straight to top Conn. online casinos.
- After landing on the casino site, hit the Join Now/Register/Sign Up button, usually located in the upper right corner of the page.
- Input the personal details in the registration form, such as name, address, email, last four digits of your Social Security Number, date of birth, and others. Note that you have to be at least 21 to register an account.
- Get hold of the no deposit bonus if such is offered. Otherwise, navigate to the cashier page.
- Click on the Deposit button and choose a payment method from the list. Insert the amount you wish to deposit and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the payment and fund your account. Be mindful of the deposit limits that apply and depend not only on the operator but also on the deposit method.
- Claim the welcome deposit bonus offer if there is one.
- Browse the games and start playing.
The process of registering in-app is just the same. The only difference is that you need to download the app from Google Play store or App Store beforehand.
How to Claim Your CT Online Casino Winnings
Although casino gambling is all about fun, the excitement comes from winning cash while having fun playing your favorite games. CT online casinos provide various options for withdrawing money, including e-wallets, online banking methods, traditional bank transfers, and more.
To make a withdrawal, you need to complete the following procedure:
- Login to your account.
- Head to the cashier page.
- Click on the Withdraw option.
- Choose a payment method from the list of withdrawal options.
- Insert the amount you wish to cash out.
- Confirm the transaction.
The fastest way to cash out your winnings is through e-wallets, as it usually takes between 24-48 hours. Online banking methods take up to 72 hours, while bank transfers are normally completed within seven business days.
It is worth noting that casinos have strict KYL and AML policies that you need to comply with before withdrawing funds. It’s a good idea to verify your account before applying for a withdrawal to avoid prolonging the verification procedure.
Connecticut Online Sports Betting
Online casino gambling and sports betting became available in Connecticut on the same day. The Mohegan Sun Casino’s partner FanDuel runs its sports betting site, while the Foxwoods Resort Casino offers DraftKings’ online sportsbook. The Connecticut Lottery Corp. has joined forces with Rush Street Interactive to launch its sportsbook brand PlaySugarHouse in Connecticut for both retail and online sports betting.
You can place wagers on all professional sports and competitions, such as the NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, FIFA World Cup, and others. However, college sports such as the Rose Bowl are off-limits if a Connecticut team is participating and if the event is a part of an intercollegiate tournament. Otherwise, you can also place bets on college sports.
Esports and other international sports are also sanctioned.
Connecticut Responsible Gambling
Problem gambling is an important issue, and Connecticut online casinos have not turned a blind eye to it. The sites implore bettors to only bet what they can afford to lose and never wager the money needed to ensure their livelihood. Gambling is not a risk-free activity and should be indulged with care.
Still, some players find it hard to restrain themselves from betting. If you know such players or have experienced similar urges, contact the following help centers for gambling addictions:
- The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services at www.ct.gov/dmhas
- The International Center for Responsible Gaming at www.icrg.org
- The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling at https://ccpg.org/ (dial 1-888-789-7777)
CONNECTICUT ONLINE CASINOS
Are online casinos legal in CT?
Yes, online casinos and other forms of online gambling are legal in Connecticut. The first online casinos launched on October 19, 2021.
Who regulates online gambling in CT?
Gambling in all its forms in Connecticut is overseen and regulated by the Gaming Division of the Department of Consumer Protection.
Are CT online casinos safe?
All CT online casinos licensed by the Gaming Division of the Department of Consumer Protection are considered completely safe and fair.
What are the best online casinos in Connecticut?
Browse our list of casinos to see the sites we considered the best in the state, based on their gaming offer, bonuses, customer support, and other features.
Am I required to live in Connecticut to play in the state’s online casinos?
No, you don’t have to live in Connecticut to play in its online casinos. You only need to be physically present within the state borders while gambling.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How will online casinos know whether I’m in Connecticut or not?
CT online casinos use sophisticated geo-location software to pinpoint your exact location and ensure you can place real-money bets.
What is the minimum online gambling age in Connecticut?
The minimum legal gambling age in CT is 21.
How to register for an online casino in Connecticut?
First, select a casino from our list. Then hit the Join Now button and fill out the registration form. Finally, deposit some money and start playing.
How many online casinos are there in Connecticut?
Currently, there are only two online casinos in CT.
Does Connecticut have mobile casinos?
Absolutely. Conn. online casinos have developed native mobile apps for Android and iOS devices that you can download from their respective app stores.