In a surprising turn of events, Connecticut sports betting has seen a significant increase in wagers during the month of May. According to the latest data released by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, the total amount wagered on sports betting in the state increased by nearly 50% in May compared to the previous month.
The data revealed that Connecticut sportsbooks handled a total of $55.2 million in bets in May, up from $37.3 million in April. This increase comes as a welcome surprise to many industry experts, who had initially anticipated a more modest uptick in betting activity.
One of the key factors driving the surge in sports betting activity in Connecticut is the continued expansion of the state’s online sports betting market. Since launching online sports betting in October 2021, Connecticut has seen a steady increase in online betting activity, with more and more residents opting to place their bets online rather than in-person at retail sportsbooks.
Another contributing factor to the increase in sports betting wagers in May is the growing popularity of major sporting events that took place during the month. With the NBA playoffs in full swing, as well as the start of the MLB season and the NHL playoffs, sports fans had ample opportunities to wager on their favorite teams and athletes.
Furthermore, the recent legalization of in-game betting in Connecticut has also played a significant role in driving up sports betting activity. In-game betting allows bettors to place wagers on various outcomes during a sporting event, such as the next team to score or the total number of points scored in a quarter. This new betting option has proven to be incredibly popular among sports fans, further fueling the increase in wagers.
Overall, the surge in sports betting activity in Connecticut in May is a positive sign for the state’s growing sports betting market. With online sports betting continuing to gain momentum and a wide range of betting options available to residents, it is likely that the upward trend in sports betting wagers will continue in the months to come.