Rhode Island made history as one of the first states to launch legal sports betting following the Supreme Court’s 2018 repeal of PASPA, operating a tightly controlled, state-lottery-managed model that has served the state for years. Sports betting launched at the state’s two Bally’s casino properties in November 2018, followed by mobile wagering in September 2019. For most of that time, the market ran as a monopoly under International Game Technology (IGT) and its partner Caesars Sportsbook, with the Sportsbook Rhode Island app as the state’s sole mobile platform. That’s changing in 2026: the Rhode Island Lottery has awarded a second online sportsbook license to Bally’s Corporation — the first competitive entrant in the state’s history — with the Bally Bet app expected to launch as early as November 26, 2026, once IGT’s exclusivity period ends. Meanwhile, IGT has extended its contract through 2028, ensuring continuity for existing bettors. The changes come after independent analysis concluded that Rhode Island’s bettor experience has suffered from the lack of competition, with poor odds and limited promotions compared to neighboring states.
Quick Facts: Sports Betting in Rhode Island
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Legal Status | Legal |
| Retail Launch Date | November 2018 |
| Mobile Launch Date | September 2019 |
| Online Betting | Yes — Sportsbook Rhode Island (IGT/Caesars) |
| Mobile Betting | Yes — Sportsbook RI app |
| Retail Betting | Yes — Bally’s Lincoln and Bally’s Tiverton |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Regulatory Body | Rhode Island Lottery |
| State Tax Rate | 51% of gross revenue |
| Second Sportsbook License | Awarded to Bally’s Corporation (May 2026); Bally Bet launch expected Nov. 26, 2026 or later |
Top Sportsbooks in Rhode Island
Rhode Island currently has one licensed online sportsbook — the Sportsbook Rhode Island app, powered by IGT PlaySports in partnership with Caesars. A second sportsbook license is being awarded for launch by November 2026.
Online Sportsbooks Available in Rhode Island
Online sports betting in Rhode Island is currently available through a single licensed platform: Sportsbook Rhode Island, powered by IGT PlaySports technology and branded in partnership with Caesars Sportsbook. The app is available on iOS and Android and allows bettors to wager from anywhere within Rhode Island state lines. The minimum age to bet online in Rhode Island is 18 — lower than the 21+ requirement in most states.
The Rhode Island Lottery opened applications for a second online sportsbook license in early 2026, with a deadline of February 19, 2026. Only two companies submitted bids — Bally’s Corporation and Rush Street Interactive (parent of BetRivers) — and in May 2026 the Lottery selected Bally’s, awarding it a tentative five-year license to operate the Bally Bet mobile sportsbook statewide. The move follows a 2025 review by Spectrum Gaming, which recommended Rhode Island add four to six operators to improve odds, promotions, and the overall bettor experience; Rhode Island opted to start with just one additional license and an evaluation period to assess its impact.
Bally Bet cannot begin taking bets before November 26, 2026 — the date IGT’s exclusivity period expires — and the award remains tentative, with Rhode Island Lottery officials noting it could be revoked if Bally’s fails to satisfy pre-launch regulatory requirements. Once live, Bally Bet will compete against IGT’s Sportsbook RI app for a market where Rhode Island ranks 14th nationally in median household income ($85K), suggesting significant unrealized betting potential.
Retail Sportsbooks in Rhode Island
| Casino | Location | Sportsbook | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bally’s Lincoln Casino Resort | 100 Twin River Rd, Lincoln, RI 02865 | Sportsbook Rhode Island (IGT/Caesars) | Open daily |
| Bally’s Tiverton Casino & Hotel | 777 Tiverton Casino Blvd, Tiverton, RI 02878 | Sportsbook Rhode Island (IGT/Caesars) | Open daily |
History of Sports Betting in Rhode Island
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| May 2018 | The U.S. Supreme Court overturns PASPA in Murphy v. NCAA, allowing states to legalize sports betting. Rhode Island moves quickly to take advantage. |
| June 2018 | Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo signs the state budget bill that includes provisions legalizing sports betting, making Rhode Island one of the first states to pass sports betting legislation after PASPA’s repeal. |
| November 2018 | Retail sports betting launches at Twin River Casino (now Bally’s Lincoln) — Rhode Island’s first legal sports wager. The state becomes one of the earliest post-PASPA markets to go live. |
| September 2019 | Mobile sports betting launches in Rhode Island via the Sportsbook RI app, allowing bettors to wager from anywhere in the state. IGT and Caesars Sportsbook power the platform. |
| 2021 | Twin River Casino rebrands to Bally’s Lincoln following a series of casino acquisitions by Bally’s Corporation, which already has deep roots in Rhode Island. |
| June 2025 | Rhode Island Senate passes Sen. Frank Ciccone’s bill to expand the sports betting market to multiple operators, but the measure dies in the House. House Speaker Shekarchi says the issue should wait for IGT’s contract to expire. |
| January 7, 2026 | IGT announces a two-year contract extension with the Rhode Island Lottery, keeping IGT PlaySports as the state’s primary sports betting technology partner through November 2028. |
| May 2026 | The Rhode Island Lottery selects Bally’s Corporation over Rush Street Interactive for the state’s second online sportsbook license, ending IGT’s monopoly. Bally Bet is expected to launch once IGT’s exclusivity period ends on November 26, 2026. |
| January 9, 2026 | Rhode Island Lottery opens the application process for a second online sportsbook license; applications due February 19, 2026, drawing bids from Bally’s and Rush Street Interactive. |
Sports Betting Laws and Regulations in Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s sports betting framework is built around the state lottery model, making the Rhode Island Lottery the central regulatory and operational authority. Unlike states where the lottery simply licenses private operators, Rhode Island’s lottery has historically operated as the primary sports betting provider — contracting with IGT and Caesars to deliver the technology and branding — and retaining a 51% cut of gross revenue.
Rhode Island was one of the first states to legalize sports betting after PASPA’s repeal, doing so through a budget bill signed by Governor Raimondo in June 2018. The law authorized the Rhode Island Lottery to offer sports wagering through the state’s two licensed casino properties (Bally’s Lincoln and Bally’s Tiverton) and online statewide.
Rhode Island’s minimum betting age of 18 is lower than the 21+ requirement in most states, making it more accessible to younger adults. All bettors must be physically located within Rhode Island when placing wagers; geolocation technology enforces this requirement.
The most significant 2026 development is the Rhode Island Lottery’s award of a second online sportsbook license to Bally’s Corporation — a major shift from the monopoly model that has characterized the state since launch. Independent consultants at Spectrum Gaming concluded that Rhode Island bettors have received subpar odds and limited promotions compared to competitive markets in neighboring Massachusetts and Connecticut. Spectrum recommended a 51% to 20–35% tax rate reduction to enable better consumer pricing, though the Lottery has not yet acted on that recommendation. Bally Bet’s arrival, expected as early as November 26, 2026, will nonetheless mark the first time Rhode Island bettors have a choice in licensed online sportsbooks.
Taxes on Sports Betting Winnings in Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s tax structure for sports betting operators is among the most aggressive in the nation. The state retains 51% of gross sports betting revenue, split roughly 40% to the state and 11% to the host casino (Bally’s). This is significantly higher than most states, and independent analysts have concluded it limits the ability of licensed platforms to offer competitive odds and promotions. For context, in the 2025 fiscal year, Sportsbook RI took $395.1 million in online wagers but retained less than $33.5 million — a relatively modest yield that reflects the structural challenges of a monopoly model with constrained margins.
For individual bettors, Rhode Island imposes a flat state income tax rate of 3.75% (subject to change) on gambling winnings, in addition to federal income tax obligations. All net gambling winnings must be reported as income. Federal withholding at 24% applies to wins exceeding $5,000. Bettors should keep records of all wagers, and the Sportsbook RI app provides transaction history for tax documentation purposes. Rhode Island bettors may deduct gambling losses from winnings if they itemize deductions on their federal return — consult a tax professional for specific guidance.
Latest News on Sports Betting in Rhode Island
| Date | News |
|---|---|
| May 2026 | Rhode Island Lottery awards its second online sportsbook license to Bally’s Corporation, beating out Rush Street Interactive — first competitive entrant in RI history, expected to launch as early as November 26, 2026. |
| January 9, 2026 | Rhode Island Lottery opens bidding for a second online sportsbook license; applications due February 19, drawing bids from Bally’s and Rush Street Interactive. |
| January 7, 2026 | IGT signs a two-year contract extension with the Rhode Island Lottery to continue powering Sportsbook RI via IGT PlaySports technology through at least November 2028. |
| October 2025 | Analysis of Rhode Island’s sports betting market recommends expanding to four to six operators; Lottery begins request for information process; DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Fanatics, and others express interest. |
| 2025 Fiscal Year | Sportsbook Rhode Island takes $395.1 million in online wagers, retaining less than $33.5 million — highlighting limited revenue efficiency under the single-operator monopoly model. |
| June 2025 | Rhode Island Senate passes expansion bill to allow multiple operators, but House Speaker Shekarchi blocks it, arguing the issue should wait until IGT’s 2026 contract expiration. |
| November 2024 | IGT discloses a 2024 data breach that exposed personal information of 103,879 people globally, including 6,354 Rhode Island residents — adding public pressure for market expansion and competition. |
| September 2019 | Rhode Island mobile sports betting launches statewide via the Sportsbook RI app, making wagering available on phones and tablets from anywhere within state lines. |
| November 2018 | Rhode Island becomes one of the first states to launch retail sports betting after PASPA’s repeal, with the first legal bets placed at Twin River Casino (now Bally’s Lincoln). |
FAQs About Sports Betting in Rhode Island
Is sports betting legal in Rhode Island?
Yes. Rhode Island has had legal sports betting since November 2018. Both online/mobile and retail betting are available. The state is one of the first post-PASPA markets to go live.
What is the minimum age to bet in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island allows sports betting at age 18 — lower than the 21+ minimum in most other legal states. This applies to both online and retail wagering.
What sportsbooks can I use in Rhode Island?
Currently, only Sportsbook Rhode Island (powered by IGT/Caesars) is licensed for online and mobile sports betting in the state. A second license has been awarded to Bally’s Corporation, however, with the Bally Bet app expected to launch as early as November 26, 2026, once IGT’s exclusivity period ends. Bally’s Lincoln and Bally’s Tiverton offer retail sportsbooks in the meantime.
Who will get the second Rhode Island sports betting license?
Bally’s Corporation. The Rhode Island Lottery selected Bally’s over the only other bidder, Rush Street Interactive (parent of BetRivers), in May 2026. The Bally Bet app is expected to launch as early as November 26, 2026 — when IGT’s exclusivity contract expires — though the timeline could slip into December 2026 pending final regulatory sign-off, and the Lottery has noted the award could still be revoked if Bally’s doesn’t meet pre-launch requirements.
Why does Rhode Island only have one sportsbook right now?
Rhode Island adopted a state lottery monopoly model from the start, contracting exclusively with IGT and Caesars to run the market. This was designed for simplicity and state revenue control, but has resulted in worse odds, fewer promotions, and a less competitive product for bettors compared to multi-operator markets like Massachusetts next door.
When will Bally Bet launch in Rhode Island?
No earlier than November 26, 2026, when IGT’s exclusivity contract with the Rhode Island Lottery expires. That date is a floor, not a guarantee — Bally’s still needs to clear final regulatory review, and the Lottery has said the license award could be revoked if Bally’s doesn’t meet pre-launch requirements. Bettors should watch for an official go-live announcement rather than assuming the November 26 date is locked in.
What is Rhode Island’s sports betting tax rate?
Rhode Island retains 51% of gross sports betting revenue — one of the highest rates nationally. The remaining revenue is split between the operator (IGT) and the host casino (Bally’s). Independent consultants have recommended reducing this rate to 20–35% to enable better consumer pricing.
Can I bet on college sports in Rhode Island?
Yes. Unlike some states, Rhode Island does not prohibit wagering on college sports. You can bet on college football, basketball, and other collegiate events through Sportsbook RI, including games involving local teams like the Providence Friars.
Responsible Gambling in Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s sports betting framework includes responsible gambling protections managed through the Rhode Island Lottery. Resources available to bettors include:
- Sportsbook Rhode Island Self-Exclusion: Contact the Rhode Island Lottery directly to self-exclude from the Sportsbook RI platform.
- Rhode Island Council on Problem Gambling: Free confidential helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).
- National Council on Problem Gambling: Call or text 1-800-522-4700, available 24/7.
- Gamblers Anonymous Rhode Island: Find local meetings at gamblersanonymous.org.
The Sportsbook RI app provides in-app tools including deposit limits, session reminders, and the ability to take breaks from betting. Rhode Island law requires the lottery to maintain funding for problem gambling treatment services as part of its gaming operations.
