The Mohegan Sun casino announced on Monday that it has suspended its sportsbook on the WNBA after questions were raised over a potential conflict of interest in taking bets on the Connecticut Sun. The Mohegan Tribe, who own the casino, also hold ownership in the team.
Last Thursday, the first day of legalized sports betting in Connecticut, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont opened the sportsbook by placing a $50 bet on the Sun to win its playoff game with the Chicago Sky.
State lawmakers and sports betting experts then raised issues about the potential conflict of interest. The Sun play in the arena located at the casino complex.
On Monday, casino officials said that they had decided to suspend betting on the WNBA playoffs.
“We are in the process of working with the WNBA to update our SOPs (standard operating procedures) and have decided to take WNBA wagering off until this is finalized,” Jeff Hamilton, the Mohegan Sun’s president and general manager, said in a statement.
Currently, Mohegan Sun employees are prohibited from placing bets at the sportsbook. Additionally, the sportsbook is not allowed to let people place bets on games involving UConn, Yale or any other university in the state.
The WNBA and NBA have an agreement that allows third-party sportsbooks present in arenas that teams play, they just have to be separated from all common areas and accessible only by those who are legally able to gamble.