Two of the biggest names in igaming and sports betting, DraftKings and FanDuel, have expressed support for the recently introduced Connecticut bill that would allow multi-state online poker.
Neither operator currently offers a full-fledged online poker platform—though DraftKings does have its peer-to-peer Electric Poker as part of its casino offering and FanDuel’s parent company Flutter owns the world-class online poker platform, PokerStars —their backing underscores the importance of online poker, even as it remains a smaller vertical compared to sports betting and online casino gaming.
Connecticut, with a population of just 3.6 million, legalized online poker in 2021 but, like West Virginia, has yet to see any operators launch due to the state’s small market size. Unlike casino gaming and sports betting, online poker depends on a larger player pool, making interstate liquidity sharing crucial for sustainability.
However, under current Connecticut gambling law, which categorizes online poker alongside online casino gaming, the state is prohibited from entering cross-border liquidity agreements. Now, lawmakers are pushing to amend that restriction.
On March 6, Senate Bill 1464 was introduced, explicitly allowing Connecticut to join interstate agreements for “peer-to-peer casino games,” including online poker. If passed, the state could enter compacts like the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) starting July 1, 2025.
MSIGA currently consists of five states—Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, and West Virginia—while Pennsylvania is expected to join as the sixth member by April.
In addition to paving the way for online poker liquidity sharing, SB 1464 includes minor amendments related to sports betting. The bipartisan bill is sponsored by the Connecticut House General Law Committee and co-sponsored by Rep. Tony J. Scott (R-Monroe). It has been referred to the Senate’s Joint Committee, which held a public hearing on March 12 to review it alongside other igaming bills.
Hearing Held but No Voting
The hearing lasted five hours, during which lawmakers reviewed a dozen bills, including SB 1464. While most of the discussion centered on sports betting amendments, there was also debate over Connecticut’s potential entry into an interstate online poker compact like MSIGA.
Though no vote was held, the bill received both support and opposition. Some stakeholders backed the bill but suggested amendments, while the Connecticut Catholic Conference opposed it outright. However, the majority, aside from the CT Catholic Conference, supported Connecticut joining a multi-state online poker compact.
Supporters included all three online gambling operators in the state—DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics—as well as the two tribal gaming entities: the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (which operates Foxwoods Resort Casino in partnership with DraftKings) and Mohegan Digital (which runs Mohegan Sun in partnership with FanDuel).
All Gaming Parties in Favor of Multi-State Online Poker Compact
DraftKings, which recently entered the US online poker market with its peer-to-peer Electric Poker—a lottery sit & go variant available in multiple states—strongly supports Connecticut joining an interstate online poker compact.
“DraftKings would like to state its support for the provision authorizing the Governor to enter into multijurisdictional agreements for peer-to-peer casino gaming,” said David Prestwood, Government Affairs Manager, in his testimony on behalf of the operator. “It is our hope that Connecticut will join the other members of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement to provide better gaming options for Connecticut residents and increase gaming revenue for the state.”
However, DraftKings opposed other proposed sports betting amendments, including a requirement for operators to establish a toll-free customer service number, impose maximum bet limits, and define procedures for handling errors in sporting events.
DK’s support for a multi-state online poker compact is notable given that Electric Poker currently does not share liquidity between New Jersey and Michigan—both MSIGA members. This could be due to Michigan’s classification of Electric Poker as a casino game, restricting cross-border player pooling to poker.
The operator also offers Electric Poker in Pennsylvania and is testing the game in Connecticut. As more states join the compact or as DraftKings expands its peer-to-peer poker offerings, perhaps the operator may reconsider liquidity sharing in the future.
Another igaming giant, FanDuel, also expressed support for Connecticut joining an interstate online poker compact. Michael Ventre, Senior Manager of State Government Relations for FanDuel, testified on behalf of the operator, stating, “FanDuel is supportive of the provision authorizing the Governor to enter into agreements with other states for multi-jurisdictional Internet games such as poker.”
However, like DraftKings, FanDuel raised concerns about other sections of SB 1464, requesting changes to the language on improper wagers and the section regarding maximum bet limits. The operator also opposed the proposal to establish a toll-free customer service number.
Although FanDuel does not currently offer an online poker platform, its parent company, Flutter, owns PokerStars. The operator spoke favorably about its sister brand and even urged the committee to recognize “peer-to-peer poker” as a distinct category of internet gaming. This move suggests that FanDuel may be considering entering the online poker market, potentially leveraging PokerStars’ software under its own branding or more likely, bringing the PokerStars brand to Connecticut.
Fanatics, the third online sports betting operator in Connecticut and a partner of the Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC), also voiced support for an interstate online poker compact despite not having its own poker platform. The operator stated that allowing the Connecticut “Governor to enter into agreements with other states for multi-jurisdictional Internet games such as poker … would benefit both consumers and the state.”
Fanatics is primarily a sports betting operator, active in nearly two dozen states while it offers online casino in four states.
The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN), DraftKings’ tribal partner, also backed the interstate agreement—provided it does not conflict with tribal-state gaming compacts. Mohegan, FanDuel’s tribal partner, expressed “strong support” for joining a multi-state online poker compact, acknowledging that “without entering into the multistate compact with shared liquidity, Connecticut would not be a viable market alone.” The tribe further estimated that joining the compact could generate an additional $1 to $3 million in revenue.
FanDuel & Its Partner Wants to Include Canada in Poker Compact
FanDuel and its partner Mohegan not only support Connecticut joining the multi-state online poker compact but are also advocating for its expansion to include territories outside the United States—specifically Canada, which they claim is seeking to join.
“We thank the committee on moving on this provision, with one ask that language be put into place to include territories outside the United States, like Canada, which is seeking to join the gaming compact,” FanDuel stated during the recent Connecticut Attorney General hearing.
Whether such an expansion is feasible remains unclear. The current Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA)—which includes five states—explicitly states that player pools can only be shared within the United States.
While the likelihood of Canada joining remains slim, the push from FanDuel and Mohegan signals a broader vision for online poker liquidity. In the past, New Jersey explored the possibility of including international markets like the UK in a similar compact, but those efforts never materialized.
The fate of SB 1464 remains uncertain. While most stakeholders support the bill—albeit with proposed amendments—one group remains firmly opposed. The bill’s chances of passing could improve if the contentious sports betting provisions are revised or removed.
However, had the bill focused solely on authorizing an interstate online poker compact, its passage would have been far more likely, as nearly all parties, except one, support the initiative.
Connecticut’s legislative session adjourns on June 4.
