Connecticut Online Casino, Sports Betting Numbers Strong in November
@jdtomlin68
Connecticut’s nascent online casino and sports betting markets are showing signs of maturing in a hurry.
November was the first full month in which Connecticut iGaming numbers were reported, along with sports wagering, and those figures were strong for a state with a population of only 3.5 million.
Here are three takeaways from Connecticut gaming for November.
Online Casino Handle Near $700 Million
The online casino handle for November in the Nutmeg State was $691,283,436, more than double (up 120.1%) from October’s $312,861,944 in handle.
And the total taxable gaming revenue for Connecticut casinos was $13,851,448 in November, a 108.6% increase from the numbers in October ($6,640,871) as reported by the Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection.
November state revenue share was $2,493,260, up 108.6% from October ($1,195,357).
Sports Betting Handle Exceeds $130 Million
The sports betting handle for November was $131,729,179, up 141.1% from October ($54,641,474). The mobile sports betting handle also more than doubled, increasing 135.8% from October’s $54,099,628 to November’s $127,549,108.
Retail sports betting in a legal, regulated market began in the state on Sept. 30, with online casino and sports betting launching on Oct. 19.
Connecticut Sports Betting, November vs. October
| Total handle | Mobile handle | Revenue | |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | $131.729M | $127.549M | $12.452M |
| October | $54.641M | $54.100M | $3.731M |
| Change | Up 141.1% | Up 135.8% | Up 233.8% |
In terms of total sports betting handle, that is the third-best performance in a first full month for any state (full month as defined by offering a mobile market). Michigan had $325.6 million in total handle ($301.9 million mobile) in its first full month, this February. Virginia, which has a mobile-only market, hit $265.8 million in its first full month, February 2020.
Connecticut’s retail sports betting handle was $4,180,071, up 671% from October ($541,846).
The total taxable gaming revenue for November was $12,451,897, with $11.635 million derived from online wagering. That was a 233.8% hike from October ($3.73 million). The state revenue share rose by the same percentage, up to $1.7 million for November.
The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and its FanDuel Sportsbook partner led sports betting handle with $60 million, followed closely by the Mohegan Sun and its DraftKings Sportsbook at $59 million. The state-run lottery took in $8.5 million in handle.
New Yorkers Taking Advantage of Connecticut Gaming
Connecticut is a small state but it has two big, sports-crazy neighbors: New York and Massachusetts.
Neither state has a mobile sports betting market. New York only has retail sports betting at four upstate casinos; Massachusetts doesn’t even have that.
And it’s no mere speculation that New Yorkers in particular are coming to Connecticut to place their bets with that market now open.
Chad Kornett, vice president of Global Government Relations for GeoComply, a geolocation security company, said as much in a recent news release.
“Easily accessed from the New York City area, GeoComply’s data shows 38% of Connecticut’s wagering activity has originated from the southwestern corner of the state along the I-95 corridor,” Kornett said.
Contributors
Jim Tomlin has more than 30 years of experience in sports journalism as an editor and writer. He has covered pro and college sports from football, baseball, basketball, soccer, golf, motorsports and more for publications such as the Tampa Bay Times, SaturdayDownSouth.com, SaturdayTradition.com and FanRag Sports. He now lends his expertise to TopUSCasinos.com, among other duties.
