While Connecticut Online Poker Bill Gains Industry Support, Some Questions Remain

The Big (Online Poker) Guns Are In

When giants like DraftKings and FanDuel take a stance, people are listen. Neither company currently offers full-fledged online poker — DraftKings has its peer-to-peer Electric Poker, and FanDuel’s parent company Flutter owns PokerStars — but both are pushing for Connecticut to join MSIGA.

“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 for DraftKings. “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.”

FanDuel echoed that sentiment, with Michael Ventre, the company’s Senior Manager of State Government Relations, 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.”

The two biggest sports betting brands in the U.S. going to bat for online poker in Connecticut? That’s a big deal. And more importantly they’re not alone.

Tribal Support Throws a Canadian Curveball

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (which runs Foxwoods in partnership with DraftKings) and Mohegan Digital (partnered with FanDuel for Mohegan Sun) also threw their weight behind the bill. They made it clear: without shared player liquidity, the Connecticut online poker market doesn’t stand a chance.

Mohegan Digital even put a number on it, estimating that joining the compact could bring in an extra $1 to $3 million in revenue. While not earth-shattering, that’s a meaningful boost for a small state.

But here’s where things get interesting. FanDuel and Mohegan didn’t stop at just backing the bill — they want it expanded. Specifically, they want language added that could allow territories outside the U.S., like Canada, to join the poker compact.

That’s a long shot — to say the least. The current MSIGA agreement is strictly limited to U.S. states. Even New Jersey once explored the idea of pooling players with the UK, but nothing came of it. Still, the fact that FanDuel and Mohegan are pushing for broader international poker liquidity is a clear sign that they’re thinking long-term.

The Public Hearing: Plenty of Talk, No Vote

The March 12 public hearing lasted five hours, covering multiple gaming-related bills, including SB 1464. While sports betting amendments took up much of the discussion, online poker wasn’t ignored.

There was widespread support from industry representatives and operators, but not everyone was on board. The Connecticut Catholic Conference was one of the few groups outright opposing the bill, citing concerns about problem gambling. Others supported the proposal but suggested tweaks.

One of those tweaks? FanDuel wants to ensure “peer-to-peer poker” is explicitly recognized as its own category of internet gaming. That small distinction could have a big impact down the line, possibly paving the way for a branded PokerStars launch in Connecticut.

Despite all the discussion, the bill wasn’t put to a vote. That means it’s still in legislative limbo, and lawmakers will need to iron out the details before anything moves forward.

So, What Happens Next?

A lot actually. For one, Connecticut’s legislative session runs until June 4, so there’s still time for SB 1464 to move ahead. But it’s not a done deal. While the core idea of joining MSIGA has widespread support, the bill is bundled with sports betting amendments that some operators don’t like. If those don’t get resolved, it could delay the whole process.

If the bill does pass, Connecticut could officially join the online poker compact as early as July 1, 2025. That means players in the state would finally have access to real, multi-state online poker games. No more waiting for a non-existent local platform — just real action with players from across the country.

For now, all eyes are on the Connecticut legislature to see if they can get this over the finish line. But one thing is clear: the industry is on board, and if lawmakers can make it happen, Connecticut online poker might finally become a reality.