XL Center in downtown Hartford, Connecticut, will be the home to a $5 million sports betting facility set to open on September 18. As reported, the long-awaited opening will be just in time for the major NFL event.

Ribbon-Cutting

Christopher Davis, a spokesman for the Connecticut Lottery Corp, reportedly said:“It’s the perfect night for it because there is going to be two Monday night football games. Fans will be able to come in and check out both games that night and check out the new facility.” The spokesman added that the venue will open at 5:30 p.m., with the ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 6 p.m.

Refreshing XL Center

According to Hartford Courant, the XL Center’s sports betting amenity will be among the largest sports books that proliferated in the state after the 2021 legalization of gambling operations in Connecticut. The source reports that the idea was to refresh the aging venue with a feature that will provide more traffic and contribute to the image of the resort situated in the heart of the city at the corner of Church and Ann Uccello streets. At the same time, XL Center is now expected to generate revenues after years of financial woes.

Sports Book Features

The bettors will be able to use the sports book’s 14 self-service retail facilities to make wagers and two counters for bet placements, as well as a 250-foot scrolling ticker providing constant sports events updates and news, according to reports. In addition, more than 80 video monitors will display a wide range of sporting events to help bettors stay informed at all times.

Non-Gaming Amenities

The wagering experience will reportedly be enhanced with two bars and a diner located in the same area. But the catering amenities are not exclusively to be used by gamblers but are also offered to patrons to gather for food and drinks and watch the broadcasted events, as reported. Also, the operation of the XL Center sports wagering amenity will not affect other events held in the arena as the respective attendees of such events will be able to show their tickets to move through both the arena and the sports book.

September 18 Opening Raises Expectations

According to the source, the facility will be open seven days a week with hours still to be determined. Its September 18 opening reportedly comes after a series of delayed supplies of various construction materials due to the supply chain having been affected by the pandemic-induced disruptions for an extended period. For these reasons, the opening of the sports book was re-scheduled from September 2 to September 18, as the Hartford Courant reports.

According to the same source, the XL Center sports wagering facility raised hopes that its operation will support the $107 million renovation concept for the 16,000-seat arena still in 2024.