Bally’s Wins Five-Year Deal to Launch Rhode Island’s Second Online Sportsbook

Rhode Island has selected Bally’s Corporation to launch the state’s second online sportsbook under a tentative five-year agreement, the Rhode Island Lottery announced on May 8. The deal would end the single-operator online sports betting market that has been in place since the state launched mobile wagering in 2019, with Bally’s expected to go live as soon as November of this year.

The announcement marks a significant shift for a state that has operated one of the most restricted digital sports betting markets in the country. Until now, IGT — operating under the Twin River brand — had been the sole provider of online sports betting in Rhode Island, with the state collecting a large share of revenue through its lottery-run structure. Bally’s entry would introduce competitive pressure and potentially expand the market for Rhode Island bettors.

A Company Already Rooted in Rhode Island

The selection of Bally’s is notable in part because the company already operates the state’s in-person sportsbook at its Twin River Casino properties. That existing footprint gives Bally’s a natural advantage in terms of brand recognition and regulatory familiarity as it makes the jump to online. Patti Doyle, a spokesperson for the company, said in a statement that Bally’s is “thrilled” to have been awarded the license. “We appreciate the confidence and trust the state has placed in our ability to provide a best-in-class product,” Doyle said.

The deal remains tentative and would still require finalization, but the Rhode Island Lottery’s selection indicates the state is ready to move forward. Rhode Island has long been conservative about expanding gambling access, so adding a second online operator represents a meaningful policy evolution — particularly at a time when many states are reevaluating their approach to digital betting competition.

Broader Context: Pressure to Open Markets

Rhode Island’s move comes as the state faces compounding pressures from both prediction market platforms and neighboring states with more open sports betting environments. The state recently filed a lawsuit against Kalshi and Polymarket, claiming the prediction market platforms have diverted sports wagering activity and hurt state lottery revenues. That legal action underscored just how much Rhode Island has at stake in maintaining sports betting revenue, which makes the introduction of a second sportsbook a logical step toward growing the overall market.

The state’s lottery oversees all gambling operations, and the addition of Bally’s would allow the lottery to generate more in fees and revenue sharing from a larger, more competitive online market. It also gives bettors access to a second set of promotions, odds, and user experiences — something consumers in single-operator markets have consistently lacked.

For Bally’s, the Rhode Island license is part of a broader push to expand its digital footprint across the United States. The company has been competing with larger rivals like FanDuel and DraftKings in markets across the country, and adding a second-operator license in a state where it already has a physical presence is a cost-efficient way to build online market share. For bettors in Rhode Island curious about their options for Rhode Island sports betting, the landscape is about to become more competitive than it has ever been.

No launch date has been officially confirmed, but the Rhode Island Lottery has indicated the November target is realistic pending final contract approval. If the timeline holds, Rhode Island bettors could be placing wagers with both IGT’s platform and Bally’s before the NFL regular season concludes.