Gov. Ned Lamont speaks with former UConn football player Darius Butler, who played years in the NFL, at the Mohegan Sun Casino Thursday morning.
Temporary sports at Mohegan Sun Casino. Se expected to have an 11,000-square-foot permanent facility open in January.
Former UConn football player Darius Butler, who played years in the NFL, with Gov. Ned Lamont at the Mohegan Sun Casino Thursday morning.
UNCASVILLE – Once the pomp and cases of a morning birthday party to kick off legalized sports gambling in Connecticut dissipated — more TV cameras, more legislators mingling and shaking hands, no more ribbon cuttings — the arcade near the transience sports at Mohegan Sun The casino featured the same attractions and sounds as always.
The lights flashed and the bells rang near the slot machines. Music was played in the distance. Gov. Ned Lamont had left construction to head to the Foxwoods Resorts Casino for a photo opportunity and a ceremonial first bet, leaving the domain open to everyone from the casual passerby to the professional handicap.
Joseph Rizzuto, 44, is the last. Wearing sunglasses with heart-shaped lenses on his head and a black hoodie with camouflage arms, he ran to the terminals at 11 a. m. , shouting “Is it legit?”
With his eyes wide open, he continued: “It is!” He applauds emphatically. He knelt down and clenched his fists, stretched out his arms as if he was turning on a lawn mower, made them rotate as if he was betting the guitar. He celebrated it as if he had just won a seven-team bet to change his life. effective and had not yet been considered as a problem gap.
“Delighted!” he screamed. “Delighted!”
Legalized sports betting has been brought in the same way that things involving big business and politics are brought to the max. Out loud, with guests, repeated speeches. However, once the bookmaker was active, only there as an option in the southeast corner of the state, those who sought to incorporate the favorites and the homeless into their enjoyment of the games were exposed, regardless of the role they played in their lives.
I don’t want to call the bookmakers. I don’t want to cross state borders, no more accounts abroad. Either way, none of this is necessary, as Connecticut has become the newest state to offer and regulate sports betting, opening the floodgates to new sources of profit as the state and two of its vital partners, the tribes and their casinos, seek to compensate financially. Ground lost the pandemic.
“It’s been a long time, probably 10 years ago,” Lamont said. “Not everyone is betting that we were going to cross the bottom line, yet you and I did. We did it. This is long overdue.
Historically busy weekday mornings for casinos and Thursdays were no different, despite the new draw. While the passage of time and specific occasions will actually draw crowds, the first few hours of operation have been quite fruitless, to the extent that casinos are worried.
People walked around, many slowed down to see the new scene, while one slowed down to look at the animal at the next exhibit at the zoo, others watched, mesmerized, giant forums showing matches and odds above the 4 betting windows. they got down to work, spending a lot of time scrolling through the functions of one of the 50 or so betting kiosks before leaving while keeping the betting slips in their wallets.
“I took a day off to be here and take a look,” said one man, a Connecticut resident probably in his forties, who declined to give his name. “When I go to Las Vegas on vacation, one of the things that Looking Forward is sitting back and watching a game and not having a lot of cash, but enough cash to make it interesting. Once this started for a while, I can say that I am one of the first people in Connecticut to place bets legally.
This guy made thirteen bets, totaling around $200. Two other men refused to be questioned as they left the betting area, and another jokingly called himself a “beep” while chatting with Mohegan employees. The guy was basically interested in when the size sheets would be available. were printed.
“Nice!” Said. “So, come back, or? About an hour, right? Yes!”
Applauded. And he applauds and applauds.
Rizzuto is also interested in betting sheets. In a week or two, bettors will have an online betting option, with Mohegan in partnership with FanDuel and Foxwoods in partnership with DraftKings. Playing through an app and so far will probably be enjoyable for a giant faction of state gamblers.
It is not about rizzuto and safe players, accustomed to the crumplement of paper, the collection of banknotes, the crunch of figures on the spot, the emotional and monetary reflux and that is a betting consultation, on the spot, as if at work.
“Listen, man,” Rizzuto said. “I’m ecstatic. “
Rizzuto grew up in Rocky Hill and moved to Las Vegas in 1999 at the age of 21, with $ 4,000 in cash and a suitcase full of belongings, to pursue his dream of being disabled. He stayed there for years and returned to Connecticut for a few years. weeks ago.
“That’s all I do,” Rizzuto said. I am disabled. That’s the only explanation for why I’m back here, because now I can live with my circle of relatives and do what I did in Las Vegas, which is move cash legally through betting on sports and know I’ll get paid when I win.
“The most productive component is that we can buy the ticket. I have a 70-year-old father and we have a lot of friends playing. I don’t need to download apps and go through technology. I need to pass, put a few thousand dollars no matter what you bet, and I need to see the ticket. I’m going to stop by to go with him and when I win, I’ll come back and pay for it. I don’t have to worry about things getting lost on the computer, internet, Apple or Array. . damn, where you can’t get a line and it crashes for an hour.
Connecticut will get advantages of this company. The state will tax sports at 13. 75% and online casino games even more, and is guaranteed a large amount of millions of dollars over the next 10 years through agreements with tribes and the Connecticut Lottery, the third operating arm of the equation.
“We were given this after some new donations in May and here we are 4 months later to launch the first bet,” Lamont told a crowd of around 150 people. “I think it’s faster than any other state in the country, and that’s what we like to do. We like to be with friends, have new constructive donations, signal an agreement, move on and do it. We do it for the other people of Connecticut.
Lamont spoke for about two minutes before placing a $50 bet on Mohegan’s Connecticut Sun, a 7. 5-point favorite over the Chicago Sky in a WNBA playoff game Thursday night.
Former NFL players Darius Butler and Wayne Chrebet, affiliated with FanDuel, were in attendance. Butler, who played at UConn before a nine-year NFL career with the Patriots, Panthers and Colts, bet on the Patriots to beat the Bucs when Tom Brady returned to Foxborough.
“I’m sure,” Butler said. I bet I’m against Tom Brady. I’m never sure I’m betting against Tom Brady. “
The total scene at this point, a melee craced with a lot of movement and few masks, looked like anything on the sidewalk of a first, glamorous movie: solar president Jen Rizzotti was in the picture. A level has been set for television crews. and their cameras. There was the ribbon cutting, then Lamont’s bet.
“Money in the bank,” he said, holding his own and turning to the crowd.
Soon, everything is gone. Going back to the general scene and the casino people in general, which now have endless features on the sports front: point differentials, cash lines, futures, over/under equipment, individual over/unders, accessories, parlays, teasers, you name it.
The structure of Mohegan’s permanent bookmaker is expected to be completed until the end of January. It will be an 11,000-square-foot facility to space out an operation that will create a hundred jobs and many more in areas. video wall, lounges, VIP areas, bar, restaurant, works.
It’s attractive.
For some.
Others just want a window, a price ticket and nothing else.
Rizzuto, still waiting for a probability sheet, his father, Anthony.
“Dad, it’s legit,” he said excitedly, circling in circles and describing the sports scene. “This is the genuine deal. Did you go to the bank?”
mike. anthony@hearstmediact. com; @ManthonyHearst