Connecticut Online Poker
Connecticut’s two tribal casinos are partnered with igaming operators that don’t currently have a poker platform. But real money online poker could be on the cards for the late part of 2025.
Last updated: March 25, 2025
You cannot play online poker in Connecticut at this time, but steps are being made so that hopefully this won’t be the case for much longer.
Connecticut is one of eight states where real money online poker is legal — and yet it is also unavailable. (Connecticut isn’t alone — three other states have the same issue, albeit for different reasons).
Connecticut got in this fix because its two tribal casinos, the only entities authorized to offer igaming in the state, formed partnerships with two operators that don’t offer online poker. The casinos aren’t allowed to form separate partnerships by vertical so regulated real money online poker is effectively stuck at the starting line.
The state’s gaming law also specifically prohibits shared liquidity. That could be problematic for what would be a small online poker market (Connecticut has 3.6 million residents). Real money online poker operators like PokerStars and WSOP would just assume skip CT entirely if there were no shared liquidity. However that all might be set to change! As of early 2025 a new bill has been added to the legislator, asking for state to join the multi-state online poker agreement that allows player pools to be shared in regulated US markets. A decision on if this bill will pass, is set for July 2025.
Connecticuters can also visit free-play poker sites. These sites are a useful tool for new players to help them with things like memorizing the strength of poker hands or learning how betting works in poker games. We recommend free-play sites for new players or for anyone who just wants to play for free — just know that these sites aren’t particularly helpful if you’re trying to hone a strategy to play poker for real money.
Can I play online poker in Connecticut?
You cannot yet play for real money online poker in Connecticut, although hopefully this will change soon, with legislation moving in the right direction. For now can play on free-play sites.
| Online Poker in Connecticut: Key Facts | |
|---|---|
| 📢 What’s Available | Free-play and poker training sites |
| 🔮Real Money Online Poker (Regulated) | No operators, shared liquidity illegal under CT gaming laws |
| 🃏 Available Games | No avialble real money games yet |
| 🔞 Age Limit | Players must be at least 18 years of age |
| 👥 CT Population | 3.6 Million (ranks 29th) |
Free-Play Poker in Connecticut
What if you want to play online poker in Connecticut, but you want to play for free? Maybe you’re new to the game and are still trying to memorize the hand rankings? Or maybe you’re still not familiar with how betting works in a poker game? Or maybe you just don’t feel like spending any money?
If you fall into any of those situations (or others), you’re covered! There are several free-play poker apps and websites available to players in the Nutmeg State.
The most popular free-play sites include titles like Zynga Poker, Replay Poker, and Governor of Poker. Most social media platforms offer online poker for free, too. And two of the most well-known real money online poker brands, PokerStars and WSOP, also have free-play sites.
You can learn a lot about online poker by playing on free-play sites, but your insight into poker strategy will be limited. That’s because you’re not spending any money when you play on a free-play site. Not spending money can affect players’ decision-making processes.
We recommend free-play sites for new players.
Real Money Online Poker in Connecticut
Connecticut is one of eight US states where real money online poker is legal. Unfortunately, regulated real money online poker is live in just half of those states — and Connecticut isn’t one of them.
Lawmakers in the Connecticut General Assembly passed a bill legalizing online poker, casino gaming, and sports betting in May 2021. Democratic Governor Ned Lamont signed the bill into law later that month. Online sports betting launched in September of that year, followed by online casino in October 2021.
The law authorized the state’s two tribal casinos, Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun, to partner with one operator to conduct igaming in the state. Foxwoods ultimately decided to form a partnership with DraftKings while Mohegan Sun picked FanDuel as its igaming partner. Online casinos and poker rooms are taxed at 18% for the first five years, increasing to 20% for the sixth year and beyond. Sports betting is taxed at 13.75%.
According to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (CDCP), which serves as the state’s gaming regulator, state law does not allow multiple operators to be associated with a gaming license. But it also remains unclear how the CDCP defines “skin” and “operator.”
Gaming laws in Connecticut also do not allow shared liquidity, but that is looking to change with the new legislation that is hoping to be approved. Currently DraftKings and FanDuel are supporting the bill and hope it passes.
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.”How Connecticut Could Move Forward
Membership in MSIGA would help Connecticut grow its regulated space for real money online poker. But lawmakers would first need to amend the state’s gaming laws to allow shared liquidity.
If lawmakers change the law and make shared liquidity legal, there are three scenarios considered the most likely for helping bring regulated real money online poker to Connecticut:
- DraftKings or FanDuel could acquire an online poker platform. There’s a precedent for the idea — rival Rush Street Interactive (RSI) acquired the Run It Once Poker poker platform in March 2022.
- Either operator could partner with a third party, whose software would power an online poker room called “DraftKings Poker, Powered by [Third Party],” or something similar.
- FanDuel’s parent company, Flutter Entertainment, could license one of its online poker platforms (PokerStars would be the most likely choice) to FanDuel, thereby creating an online poker room called “FanDuel Poker, Powered by PokerStars,” for example.
If Connecticut approve multi-state poker, the launch of DraftKings real money online poker product, Electric Poker should hopefully come to market. Currently Electric Poker is live in New Jersey, Michigan and Pennsylvania. If it were to launch in Connecticut it would be the fourth state for the casino to offer real money online poker.
FanDuel is another brand we expect to see launch in the market if shared liquidity gets approved, possibly even with a PokerStars brand.
Live Poker in Connecticut
If you’re interested in live poker in Connecticut, you have two options — the poker rooms at the state’s two tribal casinos. You will find live poker every day at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket and at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville.
Foxwoods Resort Casino
Foxwoods Resort Casino hosts tournaments daily from its poker room. Most play is No-Limit Texas Hold’em (NLH), but 7-Card Stud, Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Omaha Hi-Lo games are also offered. The poker room also hosts WSOP Main Event qualifiers. Foxwoods is owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe.
Mohegan Sun
The poker room at the Mohegan Sun hosts daily poker tournaments, and features NLH and bounty tournaments as well. Daily cash game variants include 7-Card Stud, Texas Hold’em, NLH, Omaha, Razz, Badugi, and 2-7 Triple Draw. The Mohegan Tribe owns and operates the facility.
According to the website PokerAtlas, the poker room at Foxwoods has 35 tables while players will find 33 tables at Mohegan Sun:
| City | Casino | Tables |
|---|---|---|
| Mashantucket | Foxwoods Resort Casino | 35 |
| Uncasville | Mohegan Sun | 33 |
Connecticut Online Poker FAQ
Is online poker legal in Connecticut?
It’s legal but at present there are no real money online poker sites that are up and running.
Who is the gaming regulator in Connecticut?
The gaming division of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (CDCP) serves as the state’s gaming regulator.
Does Connecticut have real money online poker?
Real money online poker is legal in Connecticut but there are no operators in the state’s regulated market. That’s because neither DraftKings nor FanDuel, the two operators currently partnered with the state’s two tribal casinos for online casino and sports betting, have an online poker platform.
Will a real money online poker operator enter Connecticut’s regulated market anytime soon?
It’s unclear when there will be operators offering real money online poker in Connecticut’s regulated space. At this stage, the three most likely scenarios moving forward would be:
- DraftKings or FanDuel acquire an online poker platform
- Either operator partners with a third party supplier for online poker software
- Flutter Entertainment licenses one of its online poker platforms (i.e. PokerStars) to FanDuel for a unique offering in the Connecticut market
Is PokerStars legal in Connecticut?
No, PokerStars only operates in markets where it can legally do so. But there has been speculation that if lawmakers were to amend the state’s gaming laws (and allow Connecticut’s two tribal casinos to partner with more than one operator) that PokerStars could be added to the Mohegan Sun license. That’s because FanDuel and PokerStars are both brands of Flutter Entertainment.
Can I play online poker on offshore sites?
Offshore poker sites don’t offer the same consumer protections as legal regulated sites and are therefore not recommended. You put yourself at risk of identity theft when you disclose your personal information on offshore poker sites. Federal officials have also warned US citizens not to play poker on offshore sites because they have no legal recourse to collect their winnings.
Can I play GGPoker in Connecticut?
GGPoker is not available in Connecticut. Instead, you can sign up for Clubs Poker, which provides a variety of poker games in a social environment, perfect for connecting with fellow players.
Can I play PokerStars in Connecticut?
PokerStars is not available in Connecticut. Clubs Poker is an excellent alternative, where you can participate in fun games and tournaments while enjoying a supportive community.
Can I play WSOP in Connecticut?
WSOP is not available for online play in Connecticut. Clubs Poker offers a fantastic option, featuring a range of games and a welcoming atmosphere for all skill levels.