Live dealer online casino games have launched in Connecticut, with Evolution Gaming opening a new studio in Fairfield with branded tables for the two operators in the state — DraftKings and FanDuel.
The state’s gaming regulator, the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (CDCP), authorized a seven-day soft launch period that began at 11 a.m. on Monday. Barring any issues during the soft launch, the CDCP expects live dealer games to transition to a full launch precisely one week later — at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 18.
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CDCP oversaw a similar seven-day soft launch period for online casino gaming and sports betting last October.
With the launch, Connecticut became the fifth of six US states with regulated online casinos to offer live dealer games, joining Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Live dealer games have not yet been legalized in the sixth state, Delaware.
The launch in Connecticut also reflects the increasing popularity of live dealer games. Three operators in West Virginia — BetMGM Casino WV, BetRivers Casino WV, and DraftKings Casino WV — just launched live dealer games last month.
Connecticut’s year-to-date (YTD) gross revenue from online casino gaming has so far totaled $158 million, while online sports betting has generated $69.8 million.
CT Live Dealer Studio to Create 400 Jobs
With the addition of Evolution, we are continuing to provide a modern, technologically advanced gaming experience that provides an elevated user experience
Connecticut Governor New Lamont — who last year helped steer the state toward a regulated market for online casino gaming and sports betting in partnership with the state’s two tribes — touted the fact that Evolution had already hired 140 employees for the in-state live dealer studio. The company expects to employ 400 workers eventually.
“With the addition of Evolution, we are continuing to provide a modern, technologically advanced gaming experience that provides an elevated user experience for eligible residents and is competitive with our neighboring states,” Lamont said.
“Connecticut has proven to be a leader when it comes to the gaming economy going back decades, and this expansion allows those who want to participate to continue doing so responsibly.”
DraftKings Casino has a partnership with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, which owns and operates the Foxwoods Resort Casino. Meanwhile, the Mohegan Tribe has partnered with FanDuel Casino for its Mohegan Sun Casino.
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Evolution Says More Live Dealer Games Coming
The Connecticut studio has the potential to expand and room to operate dedicated, exclusively-branded tables & environments
Jeff Millar, Commercial Director for North America at Evolution, told US Gaming Review that players on DraftKings Casino CT and FanDuel Casino CT would initially have access to classic table games such as blackjack and roulette. He said the company “expects to launch more games in the near future.” He did not specify a timeline.
“Each state that opens up is another big step on our US journey, and we’re excited to be breaking ground in Connecticut,” Millar said Wednesday. “The Connecticut studio has the potential to expand and room to operate dedicated, exclusively-branded tables and environments — which FanDuel and DraftKings have taken full advantage of with this latest launch.”
In Connecticut, regulations that the state’s Department of Consumer Protection (CDCP) wrote last year included a provision where operators could offer live dealer games through a studio physically located in another state — but the regulator only allowed such a setup through March 31, 2022. Studios must now be situated and operate within the state borders.
“The great thing about the live branded experience is that no two studios are alike, ranging from simple, branded backdrops to complete built and decorated interiors,” Millar said.
“The level of control over this customization process is a real draw for operators. While we provide the means and the technology, it’s our operators who bring these studios to life. And the only limit here to what can be achieved is the breadth of our operator’s imagination.”
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