The Connecticut Lottery has narrowed the number of potential sportsbook operators to four from the 15 that responded to its request for qualifications, which went live May 11.
According to Rob Simmelkjaer, president of the lottery board, “The companies who were invited were invited primarily based on their qualifications that were presented and based on our expectation of the law, the language of the law that we expect to be in the bill to be voted on by the legislature.”
He added, “So we invited companies that we felt were capable of complying with that likely legislative language, as well as companies that fit with our current business strategy about how to execute sports betting in the state.”
The lottery is expected to announce its choice by June 10. Although details could change if the legislature changes the language of the enabling legislation, the lottery expects to operate one online sports betting skin and 15 retail locations.
The partner would be required to invest a minimum of $5 million in the first year and $10 million per year in the next nine years. Simmelkjaer said the share percentage will be “very competitive.” As examples, New Hampshire is paid 51 percent while New York gets 50 percent.
The Mohegan Tribe, one of two gaming tribes in the state, have estimated that the sports gaming market will be worth about $200 million by the fifth year of operation. The tribe has partnered with Kambi for its sportsbook.
