Connecticut Lottery Will Soon Have A New Online Sports Betting Partner

The Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC) seeks a new sports betting partner. CT Lottery released its request for proposals (RFP) on April 10, aiming to set the stage for a potential white-label partner.

The move came weeks after the lottery announced its previous partner, Rush Street Interactive, was leaving the state. The two parties mutually decided it was time to end their partnership less than two years into a 10-year contract. Through its agreement with the CLC, Rush Street included its PlaySugarHouse brand in Connecticut.

If all goes well, the CLC will reveal its new sports betting partner for Connecticut online gambling on June 14.

The state lottery’s contract with the new partner will last eight years. There’s also an option of extending the partnership for another five years.

Connecticut sports betting RFPs due this week

Two weeks after RSI announced plans to leave Connecticut, the CT lottery issued a request for proposals. According to the document, “the Successful Proposer” will be responsible for “providing a full-service SB System for the mobile and retail channels, and complete back office solution.”

CT Lottery also wants to convert its sports betting system to the new operator’s system. It also wants to add daily fantasy sports (DFS) to the new online platform.

The CLC dedicated specific time to question-and-answer sessions with potential operators during April. The operators had time until April 24 to submit questions about the partnership. The CLC also reserved the right to ask follow-up questions, conduct interviews, and view demos from RFP applicants. The CLC had until May 1 to respond to those questions.

Proposals were due last Friday (May 19). If all goes as planned, the CLC will reveal which applicant it chose on June 14.

The new betting system the winning partner creates is scheduled to go live in the fall.

Where else can you gamble on sports in Connecticut?

RSI’s PlaySugarHouse will continue to run until CT Lottery chooses its new sports betting partner.

The CLC is one of three sports betting license holders in the state. The other two are FanDuel and DraftKings. Both are partnering with the two gaming tribes in Connecticut and will continue to operate.

Although the lottery corporation is authorized to offer up to retail sportsbooks in the state, the CLC runs nine. And though having a strong sports betting presence in the state, CLC is looking for a new partner to help it expand.

Only brands not used by a gambling firm operating a physical casino anywhere in the world can apply.