FanDuel, DraftKings DFS Operations To Remain In Connecticut

• Connecticut regulated sports betting officially which caused some issues with daily fantasy sports (DFS) operators needing to partner with a local sportsbook.
• The Connecticut Lottery Corporation offered temporary licenses to FanDuel and DraftKings to allow them to continue operating in Connecticut.
• The licenses will last until September 30.

HARTFORD, Conn. – Local daily fantasy sports (DFS) fans in Connecticut can rejoice as operations like DraftKings and FanDuel will continue to offer their services.

Connecticut regulated sports betting officially and the new laws state that DFS sites must be partnered with a local sportsbook in order to operate. Because of this, there was fear that a dead period would occur where DFS would be barred in Connecticut until a deal could be made.

The Connecticut Lottery Corporation issued out temporary licenses to DFS operators, allowing them to continue to operate and give them more time to make deals with Connecticut sports betting entities.

DFS In Connecticut

Daily fantasy sports in Connecticut have operated for years prior to sports betting becoming regulated in the state.

Initial worry came from local lawmakers as well as DFS operators with the new law, but the temporary license settled any uneasiness for the time being.

“This short-term step allows for the continuation of fantasy sports in Connecticut as we continue to move forward to modernize our gaming landscape in Connecticut said Ned Lamont, Governor of Connecticut. “Thanks to our partnership with the Mohegan Tribe, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, and the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, our state will have a competitive, and nation-leading model for wagering both in-person and online.”

The temporary license will last until September 30. This gives the DFS operations plenty of time to partner with a local book before the expiration date.

Another stipulation to the temporary license, DraftKings and FanDuel were required to pay fees. These were back paid for the companies running their fantasy sports operations in Connecticut without regulations.

FanDuel is said to have paid $325,914.91 and DraftKings paid $832,383.45.

While the big DFS operations in FanDuel and DraftKings managed to avoid going offline, other smaller DFS sites that didn’t manage to get a temporary license were forced to cease operations.

Operations like Prize Picks were forced to go offline, emailing users of the unfortunate result.

“This decision was outside of our control, and we will do our best to be back in CT as soon as possible,” wrote Prize Picks in an email to users. “In the meantime, please reach out to your legislators and tell them how much you enjoyed playing daily fantasy sports!”

For these smaller operations to return, they must ally with a local legal sports betting operation first. For now, only those with temporary licenses can continue to supply Connecticut players with DFS.

News tags: Connecticut | Connecticut Lottery Corporation | Daily Fantasy Sports | DFS | DraftKings | FanDuel | Hartford | Mashantucket Pequot Tribe | Mohegan Tribe | Ned Lamont