Rhode Island Considers Sports Betting Expansion
David Genge Published 10/06/2026
Rhode Island lawmakers are considering a proposal that would dramatically change the landscape of sports betting in the state. Legislation has been put forward that would crack open Rhode Island's tightly controlled single-platform sports betting operation. If approved, the legislation would expand the number of sports betting operators in the state by at least four and perhaps up to as many as six sites.
Sports betting sites are certainly in favor of this proposed change to the Rhode Island gambling laws. Perhaps surprisingly, though, the Rhode Island Lottery, the state regulator for sports betting, is standing in opposition to such expansion.
Rhode Island offers just one sports betting platform
Rhode Island was among the early opportunists to opt for legalized sports betting in 2018, shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal sports betting ban. In-person wagering on sports began in the state in November 2018. Online and mobile sports betting would launch in September 2019.
Despite getting on board with sports betting in short order, Rhode Island lawmakers thought it best to keep a tight leash on the new opportunity. To do so, only one license to operate a sports betting site was granted by the state regulator, the Rhode Island Lottery.
IGT Play Sports would win the right to operate all sports betting in the state. The company remains the sole holder of the current Rhode Island sports betting contract. Their site is known as Sportsbook Rhode Island.
In May 2026, Bally's was awarded the second sports betting license. However, Bally's, which operates two casinos in Rhode Island, has a limited sports betting role in the state. Bally's is responsible for hosting the servers for the Rhode Island sports betting apps. For this limited responsibility, the company draws 17% of the state's sports betting revenue.
Senate Bill 3118 proposes major changes to the state's sports betting
Senate Bill 3118 (S 3118) is sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone. The bill proposes expanding the number of sports betting platforms operating in the state by between four and six sites.
Along with the increase in sports betting platforms, S 3118 also proposes an increase in the revenue these sports betting platforms will receive. This margin would increase from 32% to 40.5%.
That decision would affect the 17% cut Bally's is receiving for operating the state's sports betting servers.
There's plenty of opposition to these proposed changes
Opponents to Bill S 3118 are lining up, starting with the state's sports betting regulator. The Rhode Island Lottery sees additional sports betting platforms operating in the state as nothing but problematic.
Lottery Director Mark Furcolo fears that such an increase in sports betting offerings will oversaturate the state's tiny market. He also believes the bill might be unconstitutional.
"Neither the Lottery nor the sports wagering market is able to support more sports wagering vendors given Rhode Island's unique Constitutional framework," Furcolo told the Providence Journal. "Requiring that more contracts be awarded than can be supported by the Rhode Island Lottery will negatively impact operations and related player protections."
IGT officials are also expressing their dissatisfaction with the proposed changes.
"Shifting to a market with multiple operators may appear attractive in theory, but in practice, it often results in reduced per capita revenue to states, fragmented oversight, and significant administrative and compliance costs," Joe Bertolone, IGT senior vice president, wrote in committee testimony. "Recent experience shows that these transitions rarely result in the promised revenues to the state."
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