Rhode Island Senate Backs Bill to Grow Online Sports Betting Market

Rhode Island might soon move away from its single-operator sports betting system. The state Senate has supported a bill that would let several national betting platforms work in the state. This could change the local gambling scene and start talks about revenue and regulations.

Bill Passes Senate to Introduce DraftKings, FanDuel, and Others to Rhode Island’s Betting Scene

The bill, given the green light on June 4 with a 30-2 vote, aims to bring in a competitive bidding system for up to five online sports betting permits beginning in late 2026 when the current exclusive deal with International Game Technology (IGT) runs out. Should it become law, the measure would pave the way for platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and ESPN Bet to join Rhode Island’s scene.

Those in favor say that having more choices would make betting more fun for users and get more people involved. When talking to the Senate, DraftKings pointed out that letting people use popular apps might lead more Rhode Islanders to bet in their own state instead of going to nearby Massachusetts, where these apps are already okay to use, reported The Providence Journal. DraftKings’ numbers show that Rhode Island’s average betting income per adult is $38, one of the lowest in the country and about half of what Massachusetts brings in.

Rhode Island Lottery and IGT Express Doubts About Opening Market to Multiple Betting Apps

However, the plan has faced pushback from both IGT and the Rhode Island Lottery. IGT, which has run the only contract since 2019, says the current setup brings in steady money through central control and smooth operations. The company pointed out that Rhode Island makes more money per user than Connecticut, even though Connecticut has a bigger market. IGT bosses also cautioned that moving to a system with multiple operators might mean cutting the state’s high tax on sports betting profits, which is currently the highest in the country, and in the end, reduce money going to the state budget.

Lottery officials worry about some of these issues and the practical problems of handling several operators. Mark Furcolo, who runs the Rhode Island Lottery, showed doubt about having to manage up to five vendors. He pointed out limits on capacity and possible legal clashes with current contracts.

Rhode Island Lawmakers Debate Sports Betting Expansion and Bally’s Livestream Plans

The bill has changed as it moved through the lawmaking process. At first, it required five operators, but later it was changed to allow three to five. It is not clear if these changes fix the Lottery’s worries about running things.

At the same time, lawmakers are looking at different rules that would let Bally’s show live table games from Rhode Island to other states. The company says this could create jobs and make more people know about their brand. The House still needs to take action on its sports betting bill version. If lawmakers decide to move forward, Rhode Island might soon join the growing number of states that have embraced open-market sports betting.