State of Play
Explore the national and state-by-state impact of the casino gaming industry, as well as key regulatory and statutory requirements in each state.
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Number of Casinos 2
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Economic Impact $4.14 Billion
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Jobs Supported 26,336
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Tax Impact & Tribal Revenue Share $998.8 Million
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Gross Gaming Revenue $580.0 Million (2023 Commercial)
Size of circle indicates number of casinos in the area.
All location data is as of Dec. 31, 2023.
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Number of Casinos 2
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Economic Impact $2.75 Billion
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Jobs Supported 22,016
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Tax Impact & Tribal Revenue Share $798.7 Million
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Gross Gaming Revenue $1.61 Billion (2016)
Size of circle indicates number of casinos in the area.
All location data is as of Dec. 31, 2023.
Connecticut has two compacted tribes: the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and the Mohegan Tribe.
The Mohegan Tribe and the Mashantucket have both established tribal gaming councils to oversee all gaming operations on their reservations and to ensure regulatory integrity. Tribal inspectors and investigators are tasked with ensuring that all regulations are strictly followed and enforced.
The tribal gaming councils also interact with the Gaming Division of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection to ensure the proper licensing of all employees and to approve new games and policy changes.
Beyond slot machine operation, the tribes are authorized to operate all “lottery” games, including telephone betting on any lottery game. The tribes can also conduct pari-mutuel betting on dog races, horse races and jai alai conducted on tribal lands, as well as off-track pari-mutuel betting, including over the telephone, on simulcast races. Lastly, pursuant to a 2021 amendment to the tribes’ compacts, the tribes may offer retail and online sports wagering, online casino gaming, and fantasy contests.
Under the terms of the compacts, the tribes may not enter into any management contract for the management of tribal gaming operations on the reservations without the approval of the National Indian Gaming Commission Chairman.
Both compacts remain in effect until terminated by written agreement of both parties. However, the 2021 agreement between the tribes and the state that authorized the tribes to offer sports wagering, online casino gaming and fantasy contests has an initial term of 10 years and may be renewed for an additional five years, provided that the renewal term must be mutually consented to by the state and both tribes.
Each tribe operates just one casino, the Mohegan Tribe operates the Mohegan Sun while the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe operates the Foxwoods Resort Casino.
AVAILABLE GAMING LICENSES
Master wagering
Online gaming operator
Online gaming service provider
Gaming service enterprise
EXCLUSIVITY FEE FOR CASINO GAMES
Under each of their respective compacts, the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot have agreed to pay the state 25 percent of their gross slot machine revenue. Tribes are subject to 18 percent gross gaming revenue tax on interactive slots and tables for the first five years of operation. This amount increases to 20 percent from the sixth year of operations and beyond.
TAX PROMOTIONAL CREDITS
None
WITHHOLDINGS ON WINNINGS
Yes
STATE USE OF REVENUE
All funds received by the state from the tribes must be deposited in the State General Fund. However, annually $135 million dollars received by the state from the tribes shall be transferred to the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Fund and shall be distributed by the Office of Policy and Management.
TRIBAL USE OF REVENUE
Requirements as described by IGRA.
STATUTORY FUNDING REQUIREMENT
None
SELF-EXCLUSION
Individuals may choose to self-exclude for one year, five years, or a lifetime.
COMPLIMENTARY ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
Yes
ADVERTISING RESTRICTIONS
Yes
ON-PREMISE DISPLAY REQUIREMENT
Yes
AGE RESTRICTIONS
No person under the age of 21 may be admitted into any gaming facility or be permitted to place any wager.
OPERATION ON HOLIDAYS
Yes
TESTING REQUIREMENTS
The tribes must engage an independent testing laboratory to test tickets used in a tribal lottery.
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING REQUIREMENTS
Federal compliance requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act.
SHIPPING REQUIREMENTS
Federal shipping requirements under the Johnson Act.
RESTRICTIONS ON POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Yes
CREDIT OFFERED TO PATRONS
Tribal casinos in Connecticut may offer credit to patrons.
SMOKING BANS
No
CASHLESS GAMING & ALTERNATIVE PAYMENTS
Cashless gaming is permitted. However, cryptocurrency is not currently accepted as a form of payment for gambling transactions.
AUTHORIZED OPERATORS
Connecticut’s two gaming tribes, the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot, and the Connecticut Lottery are authorized to offer sports betting.
MOBILE/ONLINE
Mobile allowed statewide.
TAX RATE
Tribes are required to pay a 13.75% tax on off-reservation sports betting.
INITIAL LICENSING FEE
Master Wagering License: N/A
Online Gaming Operator: $250,000
Sports Wagering Retailer: $20,000
LICENSE RENEWAL FEE
Master Wagering License: N/A
Online Gaming Operator: $100,000 annually
Sports Wagering Retailer: $20,000 annually
AMATEUR RESTRICTIONS
Operators may not accept bets on a collegiate sporting event or on any athletic game in a collegiate sporting event in which any team or athlete is from a university of college in Connecticut. Additionally, an operator may not accept a bet on a high-school sporting event.
TAX ON PROMOTIONAL CREDITS
Yes
AGE RESTRICTIONS
Must be 21 years old.