Connecticut Lottery Corporation Announces New Retail Sports Betting Facility at Bridgeport’s Total Mortgage ArenaThe Connecticut Lottery Corporation has announced it will open a new retail sports betting facility at the City of Bridgeport’s Total Mortgage Arena, the home of the New York Islanders’ AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders. The sports bar and sportsbook will be open daily, regardless of whether the arena is holding an event.
“The City of Bridgeport has been a focus for the Connecticut Lottery since Day 1, and we thank local officials and Bridgeport’s state delegation for their support in this endeavor,” said Greg Smith, President and CEO, Connecticut Lottery Corporation. “Total Mortgage Arena provides us with a unique space that is already known as an entertainment hub for sports, music performances, and events. The addition of the sportsbook will help make Total Mortgage Arena an entertainment and sports destination every day with ample and easy parking access.
"Working with the Connecticut Lottery and the City of Bridgeport to bring such an exciting element to our venue has been a priority for everyone involved," said Zachary Klein, New York Islanders Executive Vice President and General Counsel. “We look forward to bringing the sports betting market to our fans and community.”
"I applaud the efforts of the CT Lottery Corporation to establish a sportsbook location in Bridgeport. The location at Total Mortgage Arena will complement the current Entertainment District attractions and will continue to attract Bridgeport residents and visitors to our Downtown," stated Mayor Joe Ganim.
“The sportsbook will be a great addition that will expand entertainment and dining options for the greater Bridgeport area and tourists alike. I am proud to have spearheaded with my colleagues the legislation that made this possible,” State Rep. Christopher Rosario said. “I thank the CT Lottery Corporation and the Bridgeport Islanders for this collaboration that will provide continuous opportunities to spur economic activity.”
“Bridgeport is increasingly home to a lot of entertainment in recent years and the opening of this sportsbook diversifies and provides opportunities to build off of moving forward,” State Rep. Antonio Felipe said. “I am proud to have pushed the gaming legislation that made this all possible on the Public Safety Committee. Many thanks to CT Lottery for recognizing Bridgeport as the best place for this opportunity.”
A new 2,500 square-foot sportsbook space on the venue’s ground floor will be constructed in the coming months. The sportsbook will include a state-of-the-art sports experience with full food and drink service, more than 10 TVs, plus an exterior patio, and bar seating. Bettors will be able to place their wagers on one of a dozen kiosks or at teller windows.
Total Mortgage Arena is a sports and entertainment venue that hosts a diverse set of over 100 events a year featuring some of the biggest music and entertainment acts in the world, championship MMA and wrestling matches, Monster Jam motorsports experiences, and other large-scale sporting events, including the 2022 NCAA Women’s Basketball East Regionals and the 2023 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Regional. The site will be one of 15 of the CLC’s authorized retail sportsbook locations, which includes the newly opened sportsbooks at Arooga’s in Shelton and the XL Center in Hartford.
Renderings courtesy of DMAC Architecture and Interiors and available by request to CLC.
