Connecticut sports betting gathers pace as state lottery handles 15 request for qualifications responses

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The Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC) has confirmed that it received 15 Request for Qualifications (RFQ) responses for sports betting ahead of its April 23 deadline as the state moves toward allowing sports wagering and online betting. 

In March, Governor Ned Lamont and the Chairmen of the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribes announced that they had reached a gaming agreement that will allow the tribes and the CT Lottery to provide sports wagering and online gambling in the state.

The RFQ was issued by the CLC on April 12, seeking qualified and experienced sports betting solution providers for online and retail sports wagering systems and services.

Rob Simmelkjaer, Chairman of the CLC, said: “We are pleased to see significant interest from companies who would like to partner with the CLC to bring our online and retail sports betting offering to market. 

“Our staff and board will now begin a process of carefully reviewing the qualifications of the submitting parties as we work towards choosing the right partner in this important initiative for our state.”

The CLC noted it expects there to be an online and mobile platform and a retail channel to be operated in up to 15 retail locations, including at least one each in Hartford and Bridgeport.

The lottery added it will issue invitations for presentations of qualified responses and finalists will be chosen to submit formal business plans.

The agreement, in part, gives the lottery the right to offer statewide online sports betting skins – with partners and vendors to be determined – and operate 15 retail sports betting locations, including new venues in Hartford and Bridgeport.

CLC will also be able to sublicense some of those retail locations to the state-licensed parimutuel operator and sell draw games and Keno products online. The deal also includes an 18% tax rate for the first five years on new online commercial casino gaming revenue the tribes generate, followed by a 20% tax rate for at least the next five years.