After years of waiting, Connecticut seems set to finally launch its iLottery platform.
During Thursday’s Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC) board meeting, it was announced that iLottery is expected to begin sometime in mid-May.
Originally passed by lawmakers in 2021, the state appears ready at last to roll out online sales of its lottery draw games.
CLC waiting on IGT to complete online requirements
Lawmakers authorized online sales of draw games and online keno in a 2021 bill. That legislation also saw the state establish online casinos and sportsbooks in Connecticut.
International Game Technology (IGT) was announced as the partner to bring an online lottery to the state.
IGT signed an eight-year deal with the CLC on May 31, 2023. The agreement includes four years of possible extension options.
According to Connecticut Lottery CEO Greg Smith, the state is still waiting on IGT to complete its launching requirements in order to get the iLottery platform live. He added that he “remains hopeful” that online lottery games will debut by mid-May.
IGT also operates retail CT Lottery
IGT runs the central lottery system as well for the CLC as part of the deal from 2021.
With the online contract, IGT will deploy its iLottery gaming system and related components to enable the CLC to sell Keno and draw-based games via its website and mobile application.
When the partnership was originally announced, the CLC anticipated a fall 2023 launch for its online lottery options. That obviously didn’t occur.
The mid-May target gives the CLC and IGT five weeks to get the product online and officially join the ranks of online lottery sites in the US.
When iLottery goes live in Connecticut, residents will have the option to purchase tickets online for the following games:
- Keno
- Mega Millions
- Powerball
- Lotto!
- Lucky for Life
- Cash5
- Play3 with Wild Ball
- Play4 with Wild Ball
Photo by PlayiLottery
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