Fanatics Sportsbook Soft Launches in Connecticut, Fully Launches Next Week

May 19, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) celebrates a and one with teammates in the second half against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY SportsFanatics Betting and Gaming announced a soft launch of Fanatics Sportsbook in Connecticut this weekFanatics Sportsbook will fully launch next weekSoft launch comes nearly two weeks after announced partnership with Connecticut Lottery Corporation

Connecticut sports betting customers have access to a third online sports betting operator this week.

Fanatics Sportsbook soft launched in Connecticut earlier this week with special hours of operation for state sports bettors. Fanatics Betting and Gaming gained market access after agreeing to a partnership with the Connecticut Lottery Corporation.

Fanatics Sportsbook will fully launch in the state next week.

Soft Launch Includes Special Hours

Fanatics Sportsbook will be available in the state today and tomorrow from noon to 12 a.m. for 2,000 sports bettors. Friday through Sunday the sports betting operator will be available for the entire day.

The sportsbook will fully launch with no customer limitations on Monday, Dec. 18.

Earlier this month, Fanatics Betting and Gaming announced a partnership with the Connecticut Lottery Corporation. Fanatics Sportsbook will serve as the lottery corporation’s exclusive sports betting provider for online and retail sports betting.

“Fanatics is the only true sports brand in the gaming space and has established itself as an innovator in the industry,” said Greg Smith, Connecticut Lottery Corporation President & CEO, in a press release. “We have been impressed with the Fanatics team, their aggressive entry into the US sports betting market, and we are excited to see how they redefine the sports betting customer experience here in Connecticut. CLC anticipates notable market share growth as a result of this partnership.”

The Connecticut Lottery Corporation has been looking for a sports betting partner replacement for Rush Street Interactive since it announced earlier this year that it wanted out of the state. RSI and the lottery corporation had agreed to a 10-year partnership before the state’s sports betting launch in October 2021.

The CLC is one of three sports betting license holders in Connecticut. The Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes hold the other two licenses in Connecticut, with FanDuel and DraftKings as their respective sports betting partners.

The Connecticut Lottery Corporation will begin to rebrand its retail sportsbook locations to showcase the Fanatics Sportsbook brand. The change over will begin this week at the following locations:

Bobby V’s in Stamford and Windsor LocksSports Haven in New HavenWinners in Hartford, Manchester, Milford, New Britain and Waterbury The XL Center in HartfordAroogas in Shelton

Eighth Live State for Fanatics Sportsbook

With the launch, Fanatics Sportsbook is now live in eight states.

Fanatics Sportsbook is currently live in the following states:

ConnecticutKentuckyMarylandMassachusettsOhioTennesseeVirginiaWest Virginia