15 Bids Submitted To Initiate Sports Betting In Connecticut

ROCKY HILL, CT — A total of 15 entities have sent in bids to administer the debut of the CT Lottery's sports betting unit, officials said Monday.

The Connecticut Lottery Corporation sen t out a Request for Qualifications package on April 12 with an April 23 deadline. The solicitation was for "qualified and experienced sports betting solution providers for online and retail sports wagering systems and services." The original RFQ can be viewed at: https://ctlottery.org/PublicSolicitations.

"We are pleased to see significant interest from companies who would like to partner with the CLC to bring our online and retail sports betting offering to market," said Rob Simmelkjaer, the chairman of the Connecticut Lottery Corporation. "Our staff and board will now begin a process of carefully reviewing the qualifications of the submitting parties as we work towards choosing the right partner in this important initiative for our state."

CT Lottery officials said the expect to be authorized to conduct online and retail sports wagering in Connecticut through the use of contracted agents and vendors. The "expectation" is based on an agreement reached between both Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut’s two tribal nations operating casinos, pending bills before the legislature, and inclusion in the Governor's budget bill, according to CT Lottery officials.

The online channel is expected to be offered through an online and mobile platform, and the retail channel is expected to be operated in up to 15 retail locations, including at least one each in Hartford and Bridgeport, CT Lottery officials said.

Connecticut Lottery Corporation was to issue invitations for presentations Monday.

Finalists will then be chosen to submit formal business, CT Lottery officials said.