The Constitution State has a rich gambling culture, with the state being home to two of the largest casinos in the world. In 2021, the state legalized casino sites and expanded its iGaming market to options like online slots, poker, and table games. As soon as there are available operators, we’ll let you know which one of them deserve your attention.

Available Casino Games in Connecticut

Following the expansion of online gambling in the US, Connecticut also joined states like NJ, PA, MI, and WV. Online casinos were legalized in 2021. With everything from slots to poker available, Connecticut’s online casinos will offer many attractive options.

Biggest State Land-Based Casinos

Connecticut doesn’t have numerous gaming venues as it is home to two Native American casinos only. These include the Mohegan Sun and the Foxwoods Casino and Resort.

The Foxwoods Casino and Resort is the largest in North America. Opened in 1986 by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, the complex now hosts 7,000 slot machines and over 400 table games and has even created a new arena-style multi-sensory gaming experience called the Play Arena.

History of Casino Gambling in Connecticut

Overall, the approach to gambling in Connecticut is interesting. On the one hand, while the laws are strict and limit non-tribal casinos to pari-mutuel wagering and the lottery, it is also home to two of the largest casinos in the world. In addition, the state legalized online casinos and expanded its market in 2021. We highlighted the major events in the table below.

Casino Gambling Age in Connecticut

The legal age for Connecticut’s residents to participate in pari-mutuel wagering and the lottery is 18 years old. In comparison, gamblers must be 21 years old or over to gamble online or at the two land-based casinos, and the same goes for sports betting. If a player is caught gambling underage, it is considered a Class A misdemeanor and is punishable with no longer than a year in prison or a fine of $2,000.

• Online Casino Age
  Gambling at online casinos is illegal in Connecticut.
• Alcohol Age
  You must be 21 years old to drink alcohol in Connecticut.
• Weed Age
  Recreational smoking of cannabis is still illegal in Connecticut.

Responsible Gambling and Addiction Prevention

Gambling addiction is something serious, and thankfully, there are many ways to help those affected by problem gambling. In 2022, Connecticut was named the third-best US state to support responsible gaming, preceded by Nevada and Oregon. As Gambling Insider^[2] reports, there was only 1.1% of the residents concerned by problem gambling, which is a good rate compared to Nevada’s 2.75%.

Should you feel you’re losing control of your habits, we recommend that you contact one of the professionals at the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling through their email portal or by calling (959) 230-4034. We also recommend finding a local Gambler’s Anonymous meeting so that you can speak freely in an open, non-judgmental setting.

Can I Play Without Deposit?

Now that casino sites are legal for CT residents, you can explore different types of promotions, one of the most popular of which is the no-deposit bonus. Many operators will hopefully offer such deals to newly registered players without the need to transfer real cash to their accounts. As soon as such deals show up, we will keep you informed.

Of course, as with all casino promotions, wagering conditions would apply, and the offer would have a certain validity. We are in the process of seeking legal operators to suggest to you. Once our overview is completed, we’ll highlight the top no-deposit bonuses in Connecticut.

Upcoming Casino Regulation and Expected Changes

Now that online casinos, DFS, and sports betting in Connecticut are legal, there are few things left to complete the local market. For example, online poker is permitted, but no licensed operators offer it yet. We may see CT join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement and allow its residents to compete with poker players from other states.

The latest changes in the law were in 2021, when CT authorized the two tribal venues, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Casino, to offer online casino gaming, sports wagering, and fantasy contests. The agreement has an initial term of 10 years and may be renewed in the future, the AGA^[1] notes. Similar is the case of casinos in Iowa, with the difference that the state only authorized DFS and sports betting.

Casino Guides for Nearby States

• California Casinos
• NY Online Casinos
• Massachusetts Casinos
• Rhode Island Casinos

References

1. American Gaming Association, (2023), Connecticut – State of Play 2023, Retrieved December 18, 2023
2. Gambling Insider, (April 22, 2022), US: Nevada, Oregon and Connecticut rated best states for support of problem gambling, Retrieved December 18, 2023