XL Center Sportsbook Powered by Connecticut Lottery Announces Opening Date
The Connecticut Lottery's XL Center in Hartford is set to open next month. The operational sportsbook will be open at the start of the 2022-23 NFL regular season.
Connecticut lawmakers and Gov. Ned Lamont (D) signed new Class III gaming agreements in early 2021 with the state’s two federally recognized tribes, the Mohegan Tribe and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. The updated contract gives the tribe exclusive rights to operate online casinos, retail and sports betting.
The expanded gaming privileges awarded to Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods operators include the first major expansion of commercial gaming in the state since the state lottery was authorized in 1971. The Connecticut State Lottery retails online sports betting rights as the tribe receiving exclusive rights to iGaming.
The state lottery is permitted to have an online sports betting platform and up to 15 retail sports betting locations. To date, the state has partnered with nine "retail sports betting" companies, including Arooga's Grille House & Sports Bar in Shelton, Bobby V's in Stamford and Windsor Locks, Shea's Manchester, Sports Haven in New Haven and Harbin Winners location in Telford. Milford and Waterbury, UK.
Hartford book added
Connecticut Lottery officials announced this week that the lottery's second retail sports betting center will open Sept. 18 in Hartford. The XL Center Sportsbook will open at 5:30 p.m.
The multi-purpose indoor arena in downtown Hartford is home to the UConn men's and women's basketball teams and the men's lacrosse program. The facility opened in 1975 and is also home to the Hartford Wolfpack of the American Hockey League.
The Lottery’s XL Center sportsbook will give customers another reason to visit the venue next month. The sportsbook is accessible through entrances on Church Street and Ann Uccello Street. At ticketed events, non-ticket holders will still have access to the sports betting area.
September 18th coincides with two NFL Monday Night Football games.
"Fans can come tonight to watch both games and tour the new facility," said Connecticut Lottery spokesman Christopher Davis.
The Connecticut Lottery's sports betting operations will continue to be managed by Rush Street Interactive, a Chicago-based subsidiary of Rush Street Gaming. RSI announced plans in March to leave the state and terminate its sports betting contract with the Connecticut Lottery, less than two years after the agreement was finalized in August 2021.
Looking for sports betting partners
In 2021, RSI assured the Connecticut Lottery that at least $170 million would be transferred to the agency over the course of a 10-year sports betting partnership. It's unclear whether Rush will be required to pay severance due to the early termination of his contract. However, the Sports Betting Provider will remain the same until the lottery finds a new sports betting provider.
The XL Center Sportsbook features 14 self-service betting kiosks and a dual window counter. Restaurants and sports bars ensure punters quench their thirst and fill their bellies.
XL Center has seen better days. XL Center officials hope sports betting will spur state and city lawmakers to support a planned $107 million facility upgrade. The city of Hartford owns the XL Center.
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Source: www.casino.org
