The Connecticut Lottery Corporation and Arooga’s Grille House and Sports Bar Team Up on New Retail Sports Betting Location in Shelton

September 28, 2022

Image courtesy: DMAC Architecture & Interiors

Rocky Hill, CT / September 28, 2022 -- The Connecticut Lottery Corporation (“CLC,” “CT Lottery,” “the Lottery”) and Arooga’s Grille House and Sports Bar (“Arooga’s”) have teamed up to launch a new retail sports betting location at its Shelton, Conn., restaurant. The site will offer the PlaySugarHouse sportsbook, the award-winning sports wagering
platform from Rush Street Interactive (“RSI”), which is the CLC’s online and retail sports betting partner. The location will open as soon as the sportsbook space is completed and all licensing and regulatory approvals are received.

“Arooga’s is a well-established sports bar chain that provides high quality food, beverage and entertainment to their customers,” said Greg Smith, President & CEO, Connecticut Lottery Corporation. “Our partners at Arooga’s share the same vision as CLC for making their Shelton property a destination for sports entertainment and sports betting. I am excited to see this operation begin.”

James Belli, Vice President, McBride Holding Company (parent company for Arooga’s) added: "We are extremely excited that the CT Lottery has chosen Arooga’s Grill House & Sports Bar in Shelton CT to launch one of Connecticut’s sports book locations. This partnership will offer guests throughout the region an unparalleled opportunity to watch a game and place a sports bet in what we believe is one of, if not the best, sports atmospheres in Connecticut. Guests can come to watch numerous sporting events on over 100 televisions, enjoy a beverage from one of over 50 draft beer offerings, and enjoy some award-winning wings and other mouth-watering eats. We are thrilled and look forward to the future of this partnership."

“We are excited to launch the latest RSI powered sportsbook to bring best-in-class retail sports wagering entertainment to the Shelton area,” said Richard Schwartz, RSI’s Chief Executive Officer. “Area residents will be able to place in-person bets on their favorite teams while enjoying the hospitality of Arooga’s. This new venue illustrates our commitment to Connecticut to offer innovative experiences at many sportsbook locations and venues around the state where players can bet and cash their winning tickets or even fund and cash out their online accounts."

Arooga’s will be the next launch of the CLC’s 15 authorized retail sports betting outlets in the state, adding to the Lottery’s expanding retail sports betting footprint in Connecticut. The site will undergo renovations in the coming months to upgrade a dedicated space into a fully immersive, state-of-the-art sports experience, which will include Arooga’s impressive two story high video wall, dozens of high definition monitors, multiple kiosks and teller stations, and full food and beverage service.

The CLC will make additional
announcements in the near future about more new retail sports betting locations
around the state.

Connecticut players, ages 21 and older, can bet online
throughout the state via the PlaySugarHouse
platform from their mobile devices, tablets, desktop and laptop computers, or
at one of the CLC’s retail sports betting locations throughout Connecticut.

About the Connecticut Lottery
Corporation:

The Connecticut Lottery Corporation (“CLC”) is a quasi-public state agency with the mission to generate revenue for Connecticut consistent with the highest standards of good public policy and social responsibility. In fiscal year 2022, players won more than $910 million* in prize money and Retailers earned more than $81 million* in commissions. At the same time, the CLC provided $406 million* to support the valuable services and programs funded by the state’s General Fund including public health, libraries, public safety, education and more. Since the Lottery began in 1972, its contributions to the General Fund have exceeded $11 billion.

The CLC reminds the public
that Lottery purchasers must be 18 or older, and players must be at least 21 to
place sports wagers. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and
wants help, call (888) 789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat. For information about
the CT Lottery, stop by any CT Lottery retailer, visit CTLOTTERY.ORG, join us
on Facebook (facebook.com/ctlottery), Instagram (Instagram.com/ctlottery),
Twitter (twitter.com/ctlottery), or call (860) 713-2700.

*Unaudited

About
Rush Street Interactive:

RSI is a trusted online gaming and sports entertainment company focused on markets in the United States, Canada and Latin America. Through its brands, BetRivers, PlaySugarHouse and RushBet, RSI was an early entrant in many regulated jurisdictions. It currently offers real-money mobile and online operations in thirteen U.S. states: Pennsylvania, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Michigan, Indiana, Virginia, Colorado, Iowa, West Virginia, Arizona and Louisiana, as well as in the regulated international markets of Ontario, Canada, Colombia and Mexico. RSI offers, through its proprietary online gaming platform, some of the most popular online casino games and sports betting options in the United States. Founded in 2012 in Chicago by gaming industry veterans, RSI was named the 2022 EGR North America Awards Operator of the Year, Customer Services Operator of the Year and Social Gaming Operator of the Year, and the 2021 SBC Latinoamérica Awards Sportsbook Operator of the Year. RSI was the first U.S.-based online casino and sports betting operator to receive RG Check iGaming Accreditation from the Responsible Gaming Council. For more information, visit www.rushstreetinteractive.com.

About the Connecticut Lottery Corporation

The Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC) is a quasi-public state agency committed to generating revenue for Connecticut in accordance with the highest standards of public policy and social responsibility.

In fiscal year 2025, CLC awarded more than $1.3 billion in prizes, paid $81.9 million in commissions and incentives to its network of more than 2,800 retail partners, and contributed approximately $362 million to the state’s General Fund. Through the General Fund, CT lottery dollars support services and programs that benefit Connecticut residents and communities, including education, public health, public safety, and libraries. 

Since 1972, the Lottery has contributed nearly $12 billion for the State of Connecticut.

Lottery purchases are limited to adults age 18 or older. Players must be at least 21 to place sports wagers.Help is available for problem gambling. Call (888) 789-7777 or visit ccpg.org.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X (@ctlottery). You can also download our apps here.

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