Sports betting in Connecticut, including online betting, has been approved and signed by the Governor… but now we must wait for approval by the Federal Government. But why is Federal approval needed? Because the deal involves the states Tribal Gaming interests. The Mohegan Sun, operated by the Mohegan Tribe, and Foxwoods Casino, operated by Mashantucket Pequot, have “exclusive rights” to many forms of gambling in the state. And since a deal needed to be reached between the state and the Tribes, now the Bureau of Indian Affairs must approve the expansion. One interesting aspect of this agreement is that online…

Connecticut’s two largest tribal casinos, Foxwoods & Mohegan Sun, are threatening to cut off slot machine revenue from their casino resorts if sports betting is authorized statewide. In a letter to House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin, and other legislative leaders, the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes said a bill before the General Assembly to legalize sports betting would violate the compact between the tribes and the state. That means the state’s 25 percent take from slot revenue at the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos — some $250 million a year — could be cut off unless a deal is struck…

A public hearing on expanded gaming opportunities took place in Connecticut on Thursday, and evidence that the state is a strong candidate to legalize online gambling continues to pile up. Everything from sports betting, to commercial casinos, to online casinos was discussed during the hearing by lawmakers, elected officials, members of the public and representatives from Connecticut’s tribal casinos. Written testimony submitted by Foxwoods Resort Casino not only supported online gaming and sports betting, it called online gaming the “strongest opportunity for the state.” You can read the full testimony here. It’s unequivocal verbal support for online gambling from a…

At the online gaming site associated the Foxwoods Casino, customers can play nearly every game and buy credits that build up reward points for merchandise and hotel stays at the real property. One thing they cannot do, at least for now, is wager real money. Foxwoods and its local rival, Mohegan Sun, the two biggest tribal-owned casinos in the United States, each have launched websites in case Internet gambling is legalized at the federal level or in their home state of Connecticut. While prospects for changes to the law remain uncertain, the casinos have found the sites offer value as…