Fanatics Sportsbook expands to Connecticut, soft launching online and retail sports betting

Fanatics Betting and Gaming has announced the soft launch of online and retail sports betting operations in Connecticut. As the new exclusive partner of the Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC), a designation announced earlier in the month, Fanatics Sportsbook begins its operations this week by initially accepting 2,000 online customers, with plans for a broader launch scheduled for Monday, December 18th.

The Fanatics Sportsbook application is available for iOS and Android. The company will also provide betting via ten retail sports betting locations spread across Connecticut, marking Fanatics' expansion into its ninth state.

Fanatics will upgrade the ten CT Lottery-run retail locations in Connecticut with new signage, enhanced odds screens and brand-new self-service betting kiosks from SUZOHAPP, noted the operator.

The sportsbook will be the official odds provider for all CT Lottery retail sports betting locations and offer legal betting markets for all major sports including professional and college football, basketball, hockey, baseball, alongside tennis, soccer, golf, MMA and boxing.  

The development and trading of sports betting markets will be done in-house at Fanatics Betting and Gaming and supported by a number of "world-class" trading suppliers.

The company disclosed that customers opting for the mobile version will have access to the following betting features:

• Built for iOS and Android: The application is specifically designed for these operating systems.
• FanCash - The Currency of Sport: A central part of the Fanatics loyalty program, it can be converted dollar-for-dollar into Bonus Bets, usable for purchases on Fanatics.com.
• Personalized experience with the Discover Page: This page features highlighted games, popular bets, and promotions, with plans for customization based on user preferences.
• Advanced search: Users can find specific bets through a  search bar, recent searches, autocomplete, synonym/alias and deep linking to leagues, events, and markets.  
• Live streaming with BetVision: As a result of Fanatics' partnership with Genius Sports Limited, this product offers live streaming of football games for real-time betting.

Customers who prefer to place their bets at physical locations can head to the following sportsbooks in Connecticut:

- Bobby V's in Stamford and Windsor Locks
- Sports Haven in New Haven
- Winners in Hartford, Manchester, Milford, New Britain, and Waterbury
- The XL Center in Hartford
- Aroogas in Shelton

Fanatics replaces Rush Street Interactive as the partner of the Connecticut Lottery. This change also follows Fanatics' acquisition of PointsBet US in June. Connecticut represents the ninth state to host Fanatics Sportsbook operations, adding to operations in Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, and Colorado.

With its recent entry into the Connecticut market, the company now competes directly with established giants such as DraftKings and FanDuel. According to the state's most recent monthly data for October, DraftKings leads as the primary online gaming operator in Connecticut, closely followed by FanDuel.