The Rhode Island Lottery awarded Bally’s Corporation a tentative five-year contract in May to operate the state’s second online sportsbook, breaking up a single-operator structure that has governed Rhode Island’s digital sports betting market since it launched in 2019 with IGT as the exclusive platform provider. Bally’s was chosen from two qualified bidders, beating out Rush Street Gaming’s BetRivers platform. The earliest possible launch date for Bally’s is November 26, 2026, when the exclusivity provision in the existing IGT contract expires. Terms of the deal with Bally’s are still being finalized.
Rhode Island has operated one of the most tightly regulated and state-controlled online sports betting markets in the country since legalization. The state’s arrangement with IGT has seen the Lottery retain operational control over the betting platform, capturing revenue on a formula that has given the state a dominant share of proceeds while limiting the competitive landscape available to bettors. Bally’s entry as a second licensed operator represents the most significant structural change to the Rhode Island sports betting market since its launch and is expected to deliver a more competitive environment with additional wagering options and promotional offers for bettors in the state.
Why Bally’s Was the Leading Choice
Bally’s Corporation has a substantial existing footprint in Rhode Island, operating the Bally’s Twin River Lincoln and Bally’s Tiverton casino properties in the state. The company’s established regulatory relationships and track record in the local market likely gave it a meaningful advantage in the Lottery’s evaluation. Under the tentative deal structure, Bally’s will retain 49% of revenue from its online sportsbook, with 51% flowing to the state. That split mirrors the structure applied to the existing IGT-powered platform and reflects Rhode Island’s high revenue-share model, which is similar in effect to the high effective tax rate applied in some other Northeastern states.
The five-year contract includes an option to extend for an additional five-year term. Bally’s will need to complete contract negotiations with the Lottery before going live, and the November 26 floor date represents the earliest legally permitted launch. If the timeline holds, Rhode Island bettors could have access to the Bally’s app before the NFL regular season concludes in January 2027. For bettors comparing their current options, reviewing the available sportsbook reviews can help identify the best platform for your betting style. Rhode Island’s move to a dual-operator model is consistent with a broader national trend of states revisiting single-operator arrangements as their sports betting markets mature and policymakers look to increase consumer choice and competitive pricing.
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