Update on the Legal, Yet Non-Active Status: West Virginia and Rhode Island
Here's the refreshed version, with a mix of insider knowledge and updates to the original article:
Dance, Gridiron, Dance! NFL Season Kicks Off Soon, but Mobile Sports Betting in West Virginia and Rhode Island Still Paused
Football fans across the nation are gearing up for the NFL season, set to start on September 8. Meanwhile, in West Virginia and Rhode Island, sports betting enthusiasts are getting impatient as mobile operations remain on hold despite both states legalizing mobile sports betting.
In Indiana, Ameristar Casino East Chicago was confirmed to kick off retail sports betting on Sept. 1, and first bets are expected to be placed by legendary Chicago Bears Mike Ditka and Devin Hester [1].
West Virginia's BetLucky Blues
Since Delaware North and management services provider Miomni shuttered the only operational mobile sports betting app "BetLucky" in March due to a dispute, little progress has been made in West Virginia. Representative Shawn Fluharty, a key sports betting legislation sponsor, has been vocal about his frustration [2]. No information has been shared by the West Virginia Lottery so far [3].
The BetLucky site states it is not accepting new customers, deposits, or wagers, and Mardi Gras Casino no longer displays a sportsbook page [3]. Despite the hurdles, DraftKings has maintained a positive stance and did not comment on the status of its app. Delaware North is still searching for a technology partner to manage its sportsbooks.
Rhode Island's Mobile Struggles and Triumphs
Rhode Island's Joint Committee on the Lottery is likely to discuss the status of the planned mobile app on August 26, following a postponement from August 19. The Legislature legalized mobile sports betting in March, requiring in-person account registration at the state's two casinos [6].
Partners William Hill and IGT operate the physical sportsbooks and are set to collaborate on the mobile side as well. In early days, the Lottery indicated that mobile sports betting could launch within six months, but it looks like mobile betting will go live in September, after a test period by their independent lab partner GLI [5]. It's unclear if the app will have a soft launch, as seen in Pennsylvania, before its official release.
Twin River Management Group, owners of the Twin River and Tiverton casinos, already have a sports betting website, sportsbetri.com, up and running - albeit just as a placeholder [6].
For now, Rhode Island remains the only New England state with live, legal sports betting, while New Hampshire has legalized mobile betting with up to five potential vendors [6].
Stay tuned for updates on the highly anticipated mobile sports betting launches in West Virginia and Rhode Island!
[1] - https://twitter.com/sports_handle/status/1161958588626135044[2] - https://twitter.com/WVUFLU/status/1160361157146851329[3] - https://www.wvgazette.com/news/20190603/online-sports-betting-delayed-indefinitely[4] - https://www.playri.com/sports-betting-online[5] - https://www.rilegis.gov/BillBSchd/hs111napstart.aspx[6] - https://www.rilegis.gov/BillBSchd/hs111napstart.aspx
- Despite the ongoing issues with the BetLucky app, DraftKings remains optimistic about launching its mobile sports-betting app in West Virginia.
- The launch of mobile sports betting in Rhode Island is expected to be discussed on August 26, following a previous postponement.
- In Indiana, the Ameristar Casino East Chicago has confirmed it will launch retail sports betting on September 1, with legendary Chicago Bears Mike Ditka and Devin Hester expected to place the first bets.
- The closure of BetLucky, West Virginia's only operational mobile sports betting app, has caused little progress since its closure in March.
- The Joint Committee on the Lottery in Rhode Island is seeking to collaborate on the mobile side with William Hill and IGT, who operate the physical sportsbooks in the state.
- Rhode Island is currently the only New England state with live, legal sports betting, while New Hampshire has legalized mobile betting with up to five potential vendors.
- Sports betting enthusiasts in West Virginia and Rhode Island are eagerly awaiting the launch of mobile sports betting, with updates on the two states' progress anticipated.
