Rhode Island’s aspirations to broaden its online sports betting market were thwarted when Senate Bill 748, aimed at opening the state’s market to multiple operators, failed to advance in the House of Representatives. Despite initial Senate approval, the bill struggled to gain traction and ultimately stalled before the end of the state’s 2025 legislative session. This ensures International Game Technology (IGT) will remain the sole provider for online sports betting in Rhode Island, continuing its exclusive contract with the Rhode Island Lottery.
Earlier this month, the Rhode Island Senate passed SB 748 with a significant majority of 30-3. Introduced by Sen. Frank A. Ciccone (D-7), the bill sought to end IGT’s monopoly over online sports betting, a move supporters believed would benefit consumers and the state’s revenue. The Senate version included an amendment to allow up to five operators, though a minimum of three was also considered. Additionally, the amendment proposed concluding IGT’s exclusive contract by January 31, 2026, whereas the original version set the renewal deadline for July 1, 2026.
However, the amended version of the bill, which would have introduced competition in the state’s sports betting landscape, faced substantial opposition in the House. It never reached committee for discussion, and with the legislative session ending on June 21, 2025, it effectively died.
With the bill failing to advance, IGT remains the exclusive operator for online sports betting in Rhode Island, a position it has held since the state first legalized sports betting in 2019. The company runs the state’s only online platform, Sportsbook Rhode Island, which is licensed through the Rhode Island Lottery. The lack of competition means Rhode Island will continue to see substantial tax revenue from online wagering, despite the absence of market diversity.
For fiscal year 2025, the Rhode Island Lottery reported over $27.7 million in online sports betting revenue, with $14.1 million from taxes. Despite the high tax rate of 51%, Rhode Island’s online sports betting market continues to generate significant funds for the state. Advocates for market expansion argue that introducing more operators would benefit consumers and increase state revenue, as seen in other states with multiple licensed sportsbooks.
As it stands, IGT is the only entity licensed to operate online sports betting platforms in Rhode Island, a setup that contrasts with states like New Jersey, which offers consumers multiple options. Sen. Ciccone, a vocal supporter of the bill, expressed concern that a single operator limits options for bettors and reduces potential state revenue. He argued that a more competitive market would cater to Rhode Island’s sports bettors, who often cross state lines to bet in Massachusetts, where multiple operators are available.
Without new legislation, IGT’s dominance in Rhode Island will continue until at least 2026, when its current contract with the Rhode Island Lottery expires. While no official plans have been announced to revisit the issue, the stalled legislation has raised questions about the state’s ability to adapt its sports betting framework to remain competitive in the evolving U.S. market.
Rhode Island’s situation mirrors other states that have implemented exclusive online sports betting markets. Delaware, for instance, has been limited to a single operator, BetRivers, since legalizing sports betting. Florida has also adopted an exclusive model with Hard Rock Bet as the sole operator through its pact with the Seminole Tribe. Additionally, DraftKings holds an exclusive sports betting license in New Hampshire. As states like Massachusetts and New Jersey continue to see the benefits of multiple sportsbooks, Rhode Island’s decision to maintain exclusivity may leave it behind in terms of both consumer satisfaction and revenue potential.
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com