Once online poker is up and running, Connecticut residents will have the opportunity to play with individuals in New Jersey. At least, that’s the hope of one Connecticut group.
Chairman Rodney Butler told PlayCT that the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation “absolutely” plans to offer online poker in the future and wants to do so through a multi-state agreement.
“That’s not our area of expertise, but I know enough to understand that liquidity matters,” Butler said. “We only have 3.5 million people in the state of Connecticut, and how many of them will play poker online? So, we’re going to have to have those agreements with either other states or other entities.”
Currently, New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware share poker networks through the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement. Other states with legal online poker include Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia.
“I think we’ll figure it out because it benefits the state as much as it benefits us, and other states have done it,” Butler said. “I think it will happen.”
Subscribing multi-state arrangement for on-line poker
Butler mentioned that the group had previously considered the possibility of pooling players with other states.
“We’ve looked at that pre-legalization, but now that we’re moving into launch, we’re actually taking a fresh look at it and seeing how we can pull that off,” he said.
The compacts between the tribes and the state, pending federal approval, don’t specifically mention the possibility of sharing liquidity between states. Connecticut tribes will need approval from the Department of Consumer Protection and Governor Ned Lamont to enter into a multi-state agreement.
“I think they’d be open to it based on our conversations and where they want to go with this industry,” Butler said. “They’re going to get tax revenue from it, and at the end of the day, that’s what this is about for them. From the governor’s perspective, the fact that he has good relationships with the governors in Delaware and New Jersey and sees the multi-state agreements already happening, I think he’ll be inclined to go for it.”
Ahead of worrying about virtually any multistate arrangement, the Mashantucket Pequot really need to find a web poker agent. The group operates one of the primary poker rooms inside the nation for Foxwoods Modern casino Resort, so it makes sense that it wants to experience online poker.
Typically the Mohegan Group partners having PokerStars throughout New Jersey, nonetheless no arrangement has been released for Connecticut.
Butler enthusiastic for wagering and web based gaming
Online poker is clearly taking a backseat to the preparation for the launch of sports betting and online casinos, according to this report.
“It still surprises me every time I say it, that we’re only one of seven states that have iGaming,” Butler said. “And the indication is that states aren’t going to be quick to adopt it moving forward.”
The Mashantucket Pequot tribe has partnered with DraftKings, which does not operate online poker rooms.
During a layover in Michigan on his way to Las Vegas for the National Indian Gaming Association convention, Butler said he downloaded the DraftKings Sportsbook app and found it to be good.
“I had some feedback for (DraftKings CEO) Jason (Robins) to let him know my feedback,” Butler said. “It could be a partnership, not just an affiliate agreement coming in and running our app. Jason Robins, when he went to school in Massachusetts, used to visit Foxwoods and play poker. So it was almost like he was coming home.”
Butler doesn’ t take up online cannibalization claims
Butler responded to a report from Deutsche Bank that suggested iGaming could be hindering brick-and-mortar casino recovery in Pennsylvania.
He is not concerned about that issue in Connecticut.
“There has been some speculation in New Jersey and Pennsylvania in the last couple of months that there may be some cannibalization. I think that’s a blip. I’m not ready to accept that. I think there’s potential that it may be cannibalizing, but if overall the pie is growing, then is it really cannibalization? Internet gaming is growing at such a rapid pace in the United States.”
Butler also noted that with only two iGaming platforms, Connecticut won’t have a hypercompetitive environment and endless promotions like some other states.
Matthew has been covering efforts to legalize and regulate online gambling since 2007. Reporting on the legalization of sports betting began in 2010 with an article for Playboy Magazine, discussing how the NFL was sending US money offshore by opposing the expansion of regulated sports betting. A USC writing alum, Matthew started his career as a sportswriter for the Los Angeles Daily News and has written on a variety of topics for Playboy, Men’s Journal, Seattle magazine, LA Weekly, and ESPN.
