Rhode Island Debates Expansion of Legal Sports Betting

For the past eight years, legal sports betting in Rhode Island has been a one-sportsbook monopoly. But if a new bill passes the state general assembly, Ocean State bettors could soon have up to six choices — possibly including the likes of FanDuel and DraftKings.

The Rhode Island Senate has introduced Senate Bill 3118, which would end the Rhode Island Lottery’s monopoly on legal sports betting in the state. If the bill passes, up to six sportsbooks would become legal in the state. That could finally bring one or more of the big names in sports betting to Rhode Island, expanding gambling options considerably.

Under the legislation proposed by Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone (D-Providence), Rhode Island would open legal sports betting to up to six sportsbooks by July 1. The bill would also increase the amount of revenue that sportsbooks can keep, which might further entice new sportsbooks to enter the market.

What Has Legal Sports Betting in Rhode Island Looked Like?

Rhode Island was one of the first states to legalize sports betting in 2018, and it added mobile sports betting in 2019. But under the legislation, both mobile sports betting and in-person have operated as monopolies.

The Rhode Island Lottery has operated SportsBook RI since 2019, which was the only mobile legal sports betting option in the state until May 2026. In May, Bally’s was officially added as the second mobile sportsbook in the state, also under the jurisdiction of the Rhode Island Lottery.

Bally’s retains its monopoly on in-person sports betting, which is available at its two brick-and-mortar casinos in Lincoln and Tiverton. In practice, the monopolies have led to worse odds and complaints from players. In response, players have often instead placed wagers in neighboring Massachusetts or Connecticut, which offer far more legal sports betting options than the Ocean State.

Why Is Rhode Island Pursuing a Legal Sports Betting Expansion Now?

Ciccone has championed an expansion of legal sports betting for the past three years in the state Senate. However, when the state legalized sports betting, it entered a contract with International Game Technology to run the sportsbook through the Rhode Island Lottery.

Because of the contract, Ciccone’s counterpart, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi (D-Warwick), said there was no point in exploring the issue. But the contracts expire in November, thanks to a clause in the original deal. That has led Shekarchi and others to be more receptive to Ciccone’s efforts.

When the state signed the original contract, Rhode Island was the only state in New England to offer legal sports betting. But Connecticut legalized the practice in 2021 and Massachusetts followed in 2023. That ate away at the state’s revenue, as bettors found more positive experiences across state lines.

Rhode Island currently faces a budget deficit, making new sources of revenue attractive to legislators.

What Position Have Sportsbooks Taken?

Interestingly, Bally’s seems to want the competition. Even though it now operates both sports betting and iGaming legally in Rhode Island, it remains in support of the legislation. So does FanDuel, which might be a sign that the sportsbook giant plans to enter the Ocean State if SB 3118 passes.

IGT and the Rhode Island Lottery have fiercely opposed the bill. Rhode Island Lottery director Mark Furcolo has suggested it might be unconstitutional. Rhode Island’s constitution requires that the lottery run all forms of gambling. However, that provision was signed in 1973, long before the question of legal sports betting existed.

Will The Legislation Become Law?

If it makes it through the state legislature, it’s very likely. Rhode Island governor Dan McKee has been a supporter of expanding gambling. In 2024, McKee approved iGaming in Rhode Island, giving Bally’s the right to offer casino games in the state.

The state has also aggressively gone after prediction markets, suing Kalshi and Polymarket in may. That’s usually a sign that the state wants to either protect or expand its interests in gambling.

The legislation is very early in the planning stages, and has not yet had a vote in either chamber of the general assembly. The legislative session is expected to end around June 30, with extensions possible.