Whereas extending its contract with IGT, Rhode Island has stated it’ll grant yet one more sportsbook a playing license this yr to increase from its monopoly market.
IGT powers Rhode Island’s solely licensed sportsbook, Sportsbook RI. The platform doesn’t at the moment provide esports betting, which means residents can’t legally wager on occasions.
That may very well be set to vary because the state’s playing regulator, the Rhode Island Lottery, stated yet one more platform can be allowed to launch in November this yr.
“The intention is to hunt one new app vendor (along with SportsbookRI) to start providing on-line sports activities betting after November 2026,” Lottery spokesperson Paul Grimaldi instructed the Rhode Island Present.
Gradual Growth Favored Over Open Market
A examine commissioned by the Lottery final yr really useful that the state add 4 to 6 new on-line sports activities betting platforms to remain aggressive with neighboring states.
The report discovered that aggressive markets with a number of operators are inclined to generate increased betting deal with and income than lottery-operated, monopoly techniques.
It did, nonetheless, warning towards a free market, stating that granting licenses to extra operators will enhance the burden on the Lottery.
In consequence, the state has determined to take an incremental strategy and can first grant one new license earlier than evaluating whether or not growth is a hit.
Grimaldi added, “There could be an analysis interval, of unspecified size in the intervening time, to resolve how properly the brand new app is working, being accepted by bettors, and whether or not it’s including to the state’s on-line sports activities betting income.”
Different states have additionally been exploring increasing into on-line betting. Two payments in Nebraska have been revived for the brand new legislative session, whereas lawmakers in Mississippi and Wisconsin are hopeful they will get laws handed this yr to launch on-line sports activities betting.
IGT Extends Contract Till 2028
Rhode Island might select to additional increase its market in 2028 when its settlement with IGT will expire. The corporate introduced that it had signed a two-year extension this week.
In a press launch, Joe Bertolone, IGT SVP Sports activities Betting, stated, “IGT may be very happy to proceed our long-term relationship with the Rhode Island Lottery by 2028 and assist generate necessary income for the State by its sports activities betting operations powered by PlaySports expertise.”
“IGT PlaySports continues to spend money on the Sportsbook Rhode Island app to make sure the Lottery is providing a premier betting product that makes a optimistic influence on the State’s commitments to good causes.”
Underneath the unique settlement with IGT, Rhode Island’s playing market has stagnated. A report final yr discovered that wagers declined by 3.2%, bucking the development seen in different states, which have seen betting deal with enhance considerably.
The state imposes a 51% tax on income, the best within the nation, alongside New York and New Hampshire. A decline in wagers resulted in a lower in tax income, with the state accumulating $18.6 million final yr, down from $19.2 million in 2023.
A number of corporations have expressed curiosity in making use of for the brand new license in Rhode Island, together with Bally’s, Fanatics, Kambi, DraftKings, BetMGM, OpenBet, and FanDuel. Operators have till February 19 to submit proposals.
