Sports betting operator DraftKings has secured a market access deal in Connecticut via one of the state’s two tribal casino operators, putting pressure on rivals to secure a similar pact pronto. 

On Monday, DraftKings announced a deal with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN), which operates the Foxwoods Resorts Casino in Connecticut. The deal envisions a prospective online sports betting partnership and a more immediate official daily fantasy sports partnership. 

The deal ‘sets the stage’ for an online sports betting combo, “subject to necessary legislative and regulatory approvals.” Connecticut has yet to authorize legal sports betting, in part due to the usual fights among stakeholders regarding who controls what type of gambling. 

Connecticut’s casino market is currently controlled by the MPTN and Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE), which operates the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville. MGE signed a sportsbook partnership with European tech provider Kambi last year.