Lawmaker in Rhode Island advocates for ending exclusive sports betting market control
Spread the Word
Just a day after FanDuel threw their hat in the ring, backing a Senate bill to end Rhode Island's exclusive sports betting scene and bring in other commercial operators, a House bill following suit found its day in court.
Much like Senate Bill 748, House Bill 6048 seeks to issue an "open invitation" for sportsbook license applications starting July 1, 2026, with at least five licenses set to be handed out to commercial operators.
Rhode Island ventured into the digital sports betting arena back in September 2019, partnering with one provider: Sportsbook Rhode Island, a joint venture between the Rhode Island Lottery, IGT, and William Hill. Fast forward to 2025, and Sportsbook Rhode Island remains the state's lone contender.
Time for a Change?
With IGT's contract nearing its end in 2026, the stage seems set for the open invitation to new license applications, possibly to be doled out through competitive bidding processes.
The drive for change comes on the heels of Rhode Island's recent iGaming expansion, which saw the launch of live-dealer online casino games in March 2024 and improvements to mobile registration since 2020. While no precise application window has been declared yet, the legislative push for competition hints at potential licensing opportunities as early as late 2025 or 2026, depending on the bill's progress.
Major Players on the Horizon
Key milestones to watch out for include:- The March 2025 legislation aimed at dismantling the current monopoly and welcoming multiple operators.- Market preparedness thanks to the existing iGaming infrastructure, easing the integration of future sportsbooks.- Regulatory urgency to capitalize on the growing demand for sports betting, as Rhode Island already permits both retail and mobile sports betting.
- The launch of new sportsbook licenses in Rhode Island might occur as early as late 2025 or 2026, following the proposed legislation in March 2025.
- Multiple commercial sportsbook operators, such as FanDuel, could enter Rhode Island's sports betting market, as a result of the open invitation for sportsbook license applications starting July 1, 2026.
- The Rhode Island sports betting landscape could witness significant changes, as the state prepares for the potential arrival of new sportsbooks, harnessing the momentum from their recent iGaming expansion and aiming to meet growing demand for sports betting.
