Rhode Island is set to enhance its online sports wagering landscape as the Rhode Island Lottery has provisionally granted Bally’s Corporation a five-year license to operate an additional digital sportsbook in the state.
This pivotal move marks the end of the state’s sole-operator online betting system, which has existed since the introduction of mobile gambling in 2019. Bally’s already manages the in-person sportsbook for the state.
“Bally’s is excited to receive a second sports betting license from the State of Rhode Island,” stated company spokesperson Patti Doyle. “We are grateful for the trust the state has placed in our capability to deliver a top-tier product, tailored for scalability, innovation, and the evolving needs of contemporary bettors, thereby generating added revenue to benefit Rhode Island taxpayers.”
Bally’s was chosen from just two bidders who responded to the Lottery’s call for qualifications, which closed on February 19. The only other contender was Rush Street Interactive, a gaming firm based in Chicago.
The final contract terms are still under negotiation, according to Rhode Island Lottery representative Paul Grimaldi. “The launch date cannot precede Nov. 26, 2026, the expiration date of the exclusivity clause in the contract with IGT,” he mentioned in an email to Rhode Island Current.
The existing online sportsbook, Sportsbook RI, is operated by IGT, which has been managing the state’s digital betting service since September 2019.
Even with the entry of a new competitor, IGT will retain its presence in the market. The Rhode Island Lottery extended its contract with the company in January, ensuring its PlaySports technology will continue to support retail and online betting until 2028.
Some industry analysts expressed surprise over the lack of bids from major sports betting entities such as DraftKings and FanDuel, both of which have operations in neighboring Connecticut and Massachusetts markets.
Both companies were part of a group of eight that initially responded to a preliminary interest survey conducted by the Rhode Island Lottery last summer. This initiative followed recommendations from the consulting firm Spectrum Gaming Group, which advised the state to incorporate four to six online sports betting vendors to maintain competitiveness against bordering states.
However, it appears that the state’s suggested commercial terms were not appealing to the large gambling firms. A report from Spectrum Gaming Group in 2025 previously cautioned that Rhode Island might experience “limited interest” from potential vendors, highlighting concerns regarding the state’s tax framework and overall market conditions.
According to current state regulations, revenue from online sports betting is distributed with 51% allocated to the state, 32% to the online operator, and 17% to Bally’s retail sportsbook located at its Lincoln casino.
Legislators are currently exploring reforms that could dramatically change this setup. Proposed bills in both the House and Senate aim to increase the share for operators to roughly 79%, while gradually scaling back the state’s portion once it surpasses $18.6 million in annual revenue, based on figures from fiscal year 2025.
FanDuel has openly endorsed the proposed legislation, asserting it would foster competition and enhance consumer options. “These bills would provide Rhode Islanders access to some of the best sports betting platforms available in the country,” remarked Cory Fox, FanDuel’s Senior Vice President of Public Policy.
The proposed House bill was reviewed by the Committee on Finance on April 29, with the Senate proposal reviewed by the Committee on Labor and Gaming on May 20.
Both legislative initiatives have been set aside for further examination, a standard procedural step during the initial legislative review. However, Ciccone, a Providence Democrat serving as chair of the Joint Committee on Lottery, predicts that neither bill is likely to progress this year.
He characterized ongoing discussions as in their early stages and unresolved, noting that “much remains uncertain” surrounding the proposals.