PlaySugarHouse Adds Retail Sports Betting Site in Connecticut
@loumonaco
As Connecticut basks in the glow of its first full weekend of online sports betting and online casinos, a new retail sportsbook has opened in the state’s third-largest city.
The Connecticut Lottery Corp., Rush Street Interactive and Sportech announced Monday the launch of the first of 15 PlaySugarHouse retail sportsbooks in Connecticut. Starting Monday, players will be able to place bets at Sports Haven in New Haven. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m., according to a news release.
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Over the next few days, other PlaySugarHouse sportsbooks will open at Bobby V's Restaurant & Sports Bar locations in Stamford and Windsor Locks, respectively, the release said.
“This has been a long time coming for Connecticut players, and we’re honored to be the only statewide retail operator,” Greg Smith, president and chief executive officer of the Connecticut Lottery Corp., said in the release. “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.”
The new PlaySugarHouse sportsbooks in New Haven, Stamford and Windsor Locks include wall-to-wall TV monitors, odds boards and now the opportunity to wager at elf-service kiosks and live teller windows, the release said.
Connecticut Lottery Corp. Board Chair Rob Simmelkjaer pointed out the efforts of Gov. Ned Lamont, his staff and legislative leaders, saying, “their efforts led to a deal that benefits all of Connecticut.”
PlaySugarHouse retail sportsbooks will add Sportech locations in Hartford, Manchester, Waterbury, Torrington, New Britain, Milford, and Norwalk over the coming weeks, the release said.
Retail Sportsbooks from Lottery Permitted
The compacts between the state and two tribes allowed the Connecticut Lottery and RSI to operate up to 15 PlaySugarHouse retail sports wagering locations.
“Today marks a historic day for sports betting fans in Connecticut as the PlaySugarHouse sportsbook launches in New Haven,” Ted Taylor, president of Sportech Venues, said in the release. “Our Sportech team is delighted to be Connecticut Lottery’s and RSI’s partner for delivering this exciting product here and in all our other locations soon.”
Retail sports betting in Connecticut went live on Sept. 30 at temporary sportsbooks in the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation’s Foxwoods Resort Casino (DraftKings) and at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville (FanDuel). Mobile sports wagering and online casino began on Oct. 19.
Contributors
Lou Monaco had been East Coast Scene columnist for Gaming Today in Las Vegas since June 2019, covering the East Coast sportsbook scene with emphasis on NJ and PA. He also currently is a part-time writer for the high school sports department for NJ Advanced Media (NJ.com) in Iselin, NJ. Lou has over 30 years sports experience with previous stints at ESPN SportsTicker, Daily Racing Form and Oddschecker.
