While Connecticut may not have professional sports teams across any of the major leagues, it is home to the University of Connecticut. UConn hosts one of the most successful men’s and women’s basketball programs in recent years. Both teams have been NCAA Tournament regulars and have won numerous National Championships. UConn basketball is a pretty safe bet—a bet that Connecticut residents can make. Connecticut is a tricky state when it comes to sports betting, but by using this guide you’ll be able to educate yourself on the restrictions and legalities surrounding sports betting and make an informed decision from there.
Is It Legal To Bet On Sports In Connecticut?
I’m afraid a simple yes or no response will not do for answering this question. There are a few federal laws that prohibit state licensed sportsbooks from operating in every state with the exception of Nevada, Delaware, Oregon and Montana. Offshore sports betting online through licensed sportsbook destinations has not been specifically outlawed by the feds or the state. So to answer the question, state licensed sports betting is not legal, however offshore sports betting that is regulated outside of United States borders is not considered a crime at this time. All of the sportsbooks accepting Connecticut residents listed in this guide are legally sanctioned offshore sportsbooks. See our sections below about state and federal laws for more information.
Legally Licensed Sportsbooks Accepting Connecticut Residents
When determining where you will place your sports wagers, it is imperative that you select only those destinations that are considered to be reputable, trustworthy and that are legally operating within the industry. All of the brands you see below are legitimately licensed, regulated and located offshore, allowing them to legally offer their betting services to bettors all around the world, including the US and Connecticut. They all utilize advanced security protocols and deliver a premium betting experience.
| Logo | Site Name | Bonus | Rating | USA | Visit Site |
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Betonline Sportsbook | 50% Max $2500 |  |
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Sportsbetting | 75% Max $1000 | |
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Visit Site |
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Bovada Sportsbook | 50% Max $250 | |
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Visit Site |
How Connecticut Gambling Laws Affect Online Sports Betting Options
There are some federal laws, including the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), the Federal Wire Act and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act that deal with US-based sports betting. However, legally licensed offshore sportsbooks are outside the jurisdiction of those laws so technically federal law doesn’t prohibit Connecticut residents from betting at these types of destinations.
We do need to point out however that Connecticut does have a state law that is relevant to online betting, and while this law does not explicitly address “online betting,” it could be stretched to include placing bets via the Internet given the law’s ambiguous interpretation. State officials have yet to enact this interpretation of the law in any effort to stop Connecticut residents from using offshore betting sites, but we can’t say that it is entirely outside the realm of possibility either.
Following up on prosecuting someone for betting using an offshore betting site would require a great deal of time, money and resources. They would have to monitor your Internet activity, which in and of itself is a controversial issue and could possibly deter them from doing so. To put it plainly, Connecticut residents are currently enjoying offshore sports betting and other forms of gambling in large numbers on a regular basis. The state hasn’t made any efforts to apply the law to Internet gambling as of yet. By using one of the legally licensed offshore sportsbooks we’ve recommended it is highly improbable that you would be in violation of Connecticut law, however not impossible. There is still some degree of risk associated with betting online in Connecticut.
Should anyone choose to operate an online sports betting site within the state’s borders, this is undeniably a violation of state and federal law, and subject to much stiffer prosecution. While bettors themselves are not addressed in such laws, we recommend that you avoid any such situation as a safety precaution.
Federal Laws That Govern US Sports Betting
While Connecticut’s state law is the most important one in this particular circumstance, it’s important to understand the federal laws as well. PASPA was passed back in the early 90s to curtail the spread of state licensed sports betting. It bars 46 states—including Connecticut—from hosting state-sponsored sports betting. The Federal Wire Act deals prohibits placing bets online through US-based sportsbooks while the UIGEA acts as an overseer to banks when it comes to processing transactions from online gambling. These laws restrict US-based sports betting sites, not the offshore destinations we’ve recommended. The offshore sports betting sites featured in this guide are legally sanctioned and operated and you are not in violation of federal law by using them.
Popular Sports Teams To Bet On In Connecticut
The University of Connecticut have one of the most successful men’s and women’s basketball teams of all time. The women’s basketball team has 11 NCAA Championships. They’ve also won out consistently over the last four years. The men’s basketball team has 4 NCAA Championships. With the March Madness tournament starting soon, the Huskies are always an exciting team to watch.
Popular College Sports Teams in CT
University of Connecticut Huskies
FAQs About Betting On Sports
Are Offshore Betting Sites Safe To Use For Connecticut Residents?
Offshore sportsbooks that are legally licensed and regulated are subject to some strict industry standards, and this includes their security profile. All of our recommended sites employ SSL data encryption, antivirus ad firewall protection, fraud prevention software, and a specially trained technical team to monitor these systems around the clock. Since their servers are their livelihood, they are well protected and highly secure.
Has Anyone Ever Been Arrested For Online Sports Betting In Connecticut?
Not to our knowledge. State officials would have to expend an immense amount of time, money and resources to monitor the Internet usage of every Connecticut resident. They haven’t made any efforts to apply the law to Internet wagering at this time. It’s unlikely the state would go through the effort or spend the resources, but it’s not impossible.
How Do Connecticut Friendly Online Sportsbooks Work?
When you create an account with the sportsbook, you can browse all of the different betting options available to you. There is a strong selection of betting lines, wagering options and sports categories that you can bet on. You’ll have to deposit money into your account in order to successfully place a bet, but you can still browse the betting options before doing so. The payout method is usually somewhat dependent on your deposit method, and these sportsbooks are known for their speedy payouts. You can track all of your bets through your bet slip.
What About Customer Service?
These sportsbooks serve millions of bettors. They pride themselves on knowledgeable and responsive customer service through bonuses, security, speedy payouts, mobile apps and more. Most sportsbooks have a live chat feature that connects you with a representative instantly should you have any questions or concerns. They want to keep your business so they’ll go above and beyond to make sure you’re satisfied.
Are These Sportsbooks Free For CT Residents To Use?
Yes. There are no sign up fees or monthly membership dues to pay with these sportsbooks. The only money that is being spent is the money you use for placing bets. If you are lucky enough to win all of your bets, then technically there is no money being spent at all.
Do Legal Offshore Sportsbooks Offer Any Bonuses?
Yes. The sportsbooks we’ve recommended here all have multiple bonus offers for their users. Bonuses come in the form of “free money,” and are usually percentages of your deposits. You can use this money to place bets on the site. There are often introductory sign up bonuses as well as promotional and seasonal bonuses. Bonuses are one of the ways these sites try to keep your business, so they announce these types of offers and incentives regularly.