Bally’s wins Rhode Island’s second online betting licence
Bally’s Corporation has secured Rhode Island’s second online sports betting licence after beating Rush Street Interactive’s BetRivers in a competitive bidding process.
According to local reports, the Rhode Island Lottery selected Bally’s to operate the state’s second online sportsbook alongside Sportsbook Rhode Island, the existing platform operated by International Game Technology (IGT) since 2019.
The new sportsbook is expected to launch in November, when the exclusive part of IGT’s online sports betting agreement with the state expires. While no contracts have yet been signed, Bally’s is expected to operate the online sportsbook for at least five years, with an option to extend the agreement for another five years.
Bally’s Corporation already operates Rhode Island’s only two casinos in Lincoln and Tiverton, where it also runs physical sportsbooks. “Bally’s is thrilled to have been awarded a second sports betting license by the State of Rhode Island,” company spokesperson Patti Doyle said.
“We appreciate the confidence and trust the state has placed in our ability to provide a best-in-class product – built for scalability, innovation, and the evolving demands of modern bettors – which will generate additional revenue to benefit the Rhode Island taxpayers.”
Limited interest in bidding process
The Rhode Island Lottery opened the application process for a second online sportsbook vendor in late 2025, with submissions due in February 2026.
Lottery Deputy Director Michael O’Rourke said only one other company submitted an application. “There was a thorough review process,” O’Rourke said, adding that Bally’s beat Rush Street Interactive during the evaluation.
“There was a hope we’d get more companies to reply, but they didn’t,” O’Rourke told NBC 10.
Rhode Island has operated a single-operator online sports betting model since legalising sports betting in 2018. The state chose a structure controlled by the Lottery, with IGT holding exclusivity for online operations from 2019.
By comparison, neighbouring Massachusetts currently has seven licensed online sports betting operators. The decision to introduce a second operator is aimed at increasing competition and generating additional tax revenue for the state.
High tax structure remains a challenge
Industry observers and Lottery officials pointed to Rhode Island’s tax structure as a possible reason for the limited number of bidders.
Online sports betting revenue in Rhode Island is taxed at 51 per cent, making it one of the highest effective tax rates in the United States. Operators retain the remaining 49 per cent of revenue.
“I think that was part of the reason some of the companies did not respond,” O’Rourke told NBC 10.
Under the existing agreement with IGT, the state receives 51 per cent of online sports betting revenue. IGT receives 32 per cent, while Bally’s receives 17 per cent through its role as the retail sportsbook partner at the state’s casinos.
Under the new arrangement, Bally’s will effectively retain the full remaining 49 per cent because it will act as both the online operator and retail casino partner.
Rhode Island Lottery figures show online sports betting generated approximately $26.7 million (US$26.7 million) in revenue between July 2025 and March 2026. The state’s share during that period was roughly $13.6 million (US$13.6 million).
Critics of the state’s single-operator model have argued that additional competition could increase betting activity and boost tax revenue.
Expansion efforts continue
Rhode Island lawmakers have made several attempts in recent years to expand the state’s online sports betting market. In 2025, Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone introduced a bill proposing between three and five online sportsbook operators. The measure passed in the Senate but was not taken up for a committee hearing in the House.
The effort followed a study commissioned by lawmakers and conducted by Spectrum Gaming Group. The study recommended opening the market to additional operators and reducing the 51 per cent tax rate to improve competitiveness.
Ciccone introduced another expansion bill during the 2026 legislative session, although the proposal has not advanced further.
Bally’s continues wider growth strategy
The Rhode Island licence award comes as Bally’s expands its presence across the gaming and sports betting industry. The company is currently working on several retail casino developments, including the planned Bally’s Chicago Casino project, which has been delayed until 2027.
Bally’s has also secured one of three New York City-area casino licences for a proposed casino-resort development in the Bronx. The company has also announced plans for a Las Vegas property near the Oakland Athletics’ future ballpark site.
Internationally, Bally’s is pursuing further growth opportunities. Earlier this year, the company opened its first retail property in the United Kingdom and confirmed discussions in April regarding a potential acquisition of Evoke plc, the parent company of William Hill and 888.
The company has also been linked with a potential acquisition involving Australia’s Star Entertainment Group.
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