Like anything, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. These illegal platforms will make promises of better odds, higher payouts, and out-of-this-world sign-up bonuses allegedly endorsed by celebrity athletes just to entice consumers.
As the NFL and college football seasons approach, the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (CDCP) and the state’s attorney general are warning consumers about the dangers of gambling or placing wagers on illegal offshore sites.
In a joint statement, the CDCP and Attorney General William Tong reminded Connecticuters that the only legal gaming sites for state residents are run by DraftKings, FanDuel, and (for now) SugarHouse.
“There are only three legal, regulated gaming operators in Connecticut,” Tong said in a statement dated August 15. “Any other site soliciting bets is illegal and unregulated, and your money and personal information may not be protected.”
Tong asked residents to report any illegal gambling to the CDCP. The agency, in turn, directed consumers to report any illegal gambling activity by sending an email to [email protected]. “If you play, play responsibly,” Tong added.
The CDCP said it was aware that numerous illegal offshore sites had solicited Connecticuters. According to the agency, many offshore sites are currently in the process of targeting consumers ahead of the start of football.
“Like anything, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” CDCP Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli said. “These illegal platforms will make promises of better odds, higher payouts, and out-of-this-world sign-up bonuses allegedly endorsed by celebrity athletes just to entice consumers.
“And while their platforms might look legitimate, they are illegal and not subject to regulation and inspection by the state. Consumers are putting their personal information and money at risk by using these platforms. If you choose to engage in gaming activities, do so responsibly and legally.”
According to the agency, illegal offshore sites create a risk for customers “who may not realize these companies do not comply with state regulations created to protect consumers’ personal information and money.
The CDCP added that illegal offshore sites “often call potential patrons directly and use high-pressure sales tactics to get them to make a deposit and place wagers. They tell patrons it is legal to place a bet on these sites from Connecticut when it is not, and there is no guarantee that consumers who place wagers on these platforms will receive their winnings.
“To avoid detection, these sites often use third-party vendors to hide the payments from a patron’s bank, which is obligated to stop financial transactions involving illegal gambling operations.”
DraftKings and FanDuel have partnerships with two tribal casinos in the state and provide both online casino gaming and sports betting. DraftKings serves as operator for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, which owns and operates Foxwoods Resort Casino. FanDuel is partnered with the Mohegan Tribe, which owns and operates Mohegan Sun Casino.
That leaves SugarHouse, a brand owned by Rush Street Interactive (RSI) that has been providing online and retail sports betting — but not casino gaming — through a partnership with the Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC) since October 2021.
However, RSI announced in March that it would shut down SugarHouse Sportsbook CT before the end of the year. The CLC issued a request for proposal (RFP) in April but has yet to name a replacement operator.
The list of possible replacements for SugarHouse is limited by a state law that prohibits casino-based sportsbooks from launching in the state. The law would prevent an operator like Bally’s, BetMGM, Borgata, Caesars, or Pala from partnering with the CLC — but brands like bet365, BetFanatics, Betway, or Unibet would be acceptable.
