Sports Betting Shakeup in Rhode Island
Rhode Island Senate passes resolution to allow multiple sports betting providers
Patrick Anderson, Providence Journal
Debate rages in Rhode Island's legislature over revisiting the state's distinctive sports betting set-up, compelling the industry's mammoth players to bushwhack through the competition from neighboring states.
So far, Rhode Island has adhered to a one-of-a-kind approach, authorizing sports wagers solely via the homegrown Sportsbook Rhode Island platform, a venture run by the state's exclusive provider, International Game Technology (IGT).
These sought-after betting apps, like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, ESPN Bet, and even local hero Bally's, remain elusive for Ocean State gamblers, unless they trek across state lines to ooze their dough in Massachusetts. Frustrated bettors have voiced discontent over the less-than-stellar quality of the SportsBook RI app.
behind the movements to open up the market lies Senate Bill SB 748. This proposed legislature aims to overrule the single-operator model and welcomes multiple operators, such as front-runners FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM, through a competitive bidding process. The bill calls for issuing a minimum of three and a maximum of five licenses[1][2][3].
The Senate has already thrown its stamp of approval on the bill, voting 30-2 in favor of it. Now, the baton passes to the House, which grapples with the June 30 deadline for deliberation[1][4]. The House members must determine if they're all-in with the Senate's proposal, which could reboot Rhode Island's sports betting scene by ushering in more operators[3][4]. Senator Majority Leader, Frank Ciccone, spearheads this transformation, driven in part by a report from the Spectrum Gaming Group that suggests four to six operators for the market[3][4].
Curious tidbit: the Senate amendment aims to curtail IGT's reign early, wrapping up its contract by January 31, 2026[1][4].
So buckle up, sports fans! The future of Rhode Island's sports betting landscape is about to get a whole lot spicier, and only time will tell if the newcomers trump the current champion, Sportsbook Rhode Island.
The Senate's proposed bill, SB 748, intends to open Rhode Island's sports betting market, allowing operators like FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM to enter through a bidding process, possibly challenging the dominance of the Sportsbook Rhode Island platform run by International Game Technology (IGT).
If the House members approve SB 748 and meet the June 30 deadline for deliberation, Rhode Island's sports betting scene could undergo a significant change, welcoming new operators to the market.
