Mohegan Sun suspends betting on WNBA

The Mohegan Sun casino announced Monday that it has suspended wagering on the WNBA after questions were raised over a potential conflict in taking bets on the Connecticut Sun, a team also owned by the Mohegan Tribe.

The issue came up after Gov. Ned Lamont opened the sportsbook on Thursday, the first day of legalized sports betting in Connecticut, by placing a $50 bet on the Sun to win its playoff game with the Chicago Sky.

The wager captured the attention of some experts and state lawmakers concerned about a potential conflict of interest with the Mohegan Sun accepting bets on the Sun, which plays in the arena located at the casino complex.

Casino officials said Monday they decided over the weekend to suspend betting on the WNBA playoffs at the sportsbook.

“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.

When Connecticut lawmakers set up emergency regulations and legislation allowing for sports betting this fall, they barred Mohegan Sun employees from placing bets at the sportsbook.