Bally’s has been awarded the right to run Rhode Island’s second online sports betting platform, adding a new operator to the state’s tightly controlled regulated market. The Rhode Island Lottery opened the bidding process for a second provider in late 2025, and Bally’s was selected over Rush Street Interactive’s BetRivers. According to lottery officials, only the two companies submitted applications.
The new sportsbook is expected to launch in November, after the expiration of IGT’s exclusive online sports betting arrangement. Since 2019, IGT has been the state’s only online sports betting provider. Compared with nearby Massachusetts, where several operators are licensed, Rhode Island has maintained a far more limited competitive structure.
Revenue Terms and State Benefits
Under the previous setup, Rhode Island kept 51% of online sports betting revenue, while IGT received 32% and Bally’s earned 17% through its retail sportsbook role. With the new license, Bally’s is positioned to take the full 49% operator share tied to this second online offering, as it already manages the land-based sportsbooks at its Lincoln and Tiverton properties.
State lottery data shows that online sports betting brought in $26.7 million between July and March. Of that amount, roughly $13.6 million went to the state.
Bally’s said the new license will allow it to deliver a larger and more adaptable betting product while also generating added public revenue for Rhode Island.
Competition, Contract Details, and Expansion Plans
The agreement with Bally’s is expected to run for five years, with the possibility of a five-year extension, although final contract terms are still being completed. Lottery officials suggested that the state’s 51% tax rate may have discouraged wider interest from other applicants.
To grow its user base, Bally’s plans to draw from several customer databases, including players already using its retail sportsbooks, online casino products in Rhode Island, and its Massachusetts platform. The company’s Bally Bet technology was originally developed internally following the acquisition of Gamesys, though company leadership has previously acknowledged challenges with that strategy.
At the same time, Rhode Island lawmakers are considering broader reform. Proposed legislation, Bill SB 3118, would authorize four to six additional online sports betting licenses, with applications opening on January 1, 2027. The measure remains under consideration and has not yet advanced to hearings.
If fully implemented, Bally’s new license could strengthen its position in the state, create a more competitive online betting environment, and provide Rhode Island with another source of regulated gambling revenue.
