CT sports bettors advised to get ready for change in wagering platform. Here’s what to know.
Legalized sports gambling in Connecticut, which marked its second year earlier this fall, will soon get a new betting platform, and state lottery officials are advising the wagering public to get ready for the change.
Fanatics Betting and Gaming, a subsidiary of Fanatics Holdings Inc., a global digital sports platform, is the state’s new sports betting partner. Fanatics Sportsbook will become the new platform for online and venue wagering, and will replace PlaySugarHouse Sportsbook in the coming weeks, according to The Connecticut Lottery Corp.
The change comes after Rush Street Interactive, which runs PlaySugarHouse, decided to leave the Connecticut market, forcing The Lottery to find another betting partner. Both The Lottery and Rush Street have said it was a mutual decision to part ways.
The Lottery is giving this advice to smooth the transition:
- All existing wagers placed by online accounts or at betting venues for events prior to Feb. 12 will remain valid and be settled as usual once the event is over.
- For events Feb. 12 or later, existing wagers will be canceled and funds returned to players. Players can choose to make new wagers on the same sporting events using Fanatics Sportsbook or they can receive a cash refund.
- Wagers canceled online will require no action to receive a refund.
- Players who made wagers at a betting venue must bring their receipt to any retail location to get a refund.
- All retail players who have vouchers issued by PlaySugarHouse must also cash those out to get refunds because Fanatics Sportsbook will not accept them.
- Players with online accounts can find information on the PlaySugarHouse website or mobile app about settling wagers and closing accounts.
- PlaySugarHouse accounts must stay open in order to settle wagers even if the event is as late as Feb. 11.
- All PlaySugarHouse accounts will be closed by the end of February. Players taking no action will have account balances deposited in their bank account on record.
For more information, questions can be submitted online or players can talk to staff at retail locations. Players with questions about their online PlaySugarHouse account should call 1-800-622-0163.
Sports betting locations in Connecticut include the XL Center in Hartford, Arooga’s Grille House & Sports Bar in Shelton and at all locations operated by Sportech PLC, including Bobby V’s Restaurant & Sports Bar locations in Windsor Locks and Stamford; Sports Haven in New Haven; and the Winners locations in Hartford, Manchester, Waterbury, New Britain and Milford.
The Fanatics Sportsbook online launch date will be announced in the coming days, along with launch dates for each retail sportsbook location, The Lottery said.
Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com