Connecticut is one step closer to rolling out regulated daily fantasy sports betting.
The Department of Consumer Protection said it has issued provisional licenses to MPTN CT Fantasy, a wholly owned affiliate of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation; MGA Technologies DFS, a wholly owned affiliate of the Mohegan Tribe; and the Connecticut Lottery Corp. The licenses allow sports betting to be conducted off of the two Native American reservations and permit each entity to partner with outside individuals and companies to run the contests, provided those partners are licensed themselves and make payments to the state for past operations.
The Mashantucket Pequots are working with sports betting company DraftKings, while the Mohegans have signed a contract with competitor FanDuel.
DCP said DraftKings and FanDuel were required to pay the state approximately $832,300 and $325,900, respectively, for the licenses.
The Connecticut Lottery Corp. has not yet partnered with an established fantasy sports operator.Â
The provisional licenses will allow fantasy sports wagering to launch more quickly while more comprehensive permits are drawn up. They will expire either on Sept. 30 or when longer-term licenses are made available, whichever comes first, according to department officials.
Connecticut threw open the door to online gaming and sports betting in May, when the General Assembly signed off on a three-way revenue-sharing pact agreed upon by Gov. Ned Lamont and the two tribes. Aside from sports betting, the agreement will allow the state’s two casinos, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods, to offer online slot machines and table games.
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