Rhode Island Evaluating Potential Sports Betting Market Expansion

• Eight sports betting operators responded to a Rhode Island Lottery request for information on potentially expanding its sports betting market
• Rhode Island only has one licensed online sports betting operator
• Legislators did not approve a bill to allow for more operators over the summer

Sports betting operators are showing interest in a potentially expanded Rhode Island sports betting market.

According to Rhode Island Current, eight sports betting operators responded to a Rhode Island Lottery request for information (RFI) on the possibility of an expanded sports betting market in the Ocean State.

International Game Technology (IGT) is currently the only licensed online sports betting operator in Rhode Island.

Potential Sports Betting Market Expansion

The Rhode Island Lottery published the RFI and set a deadline of Aug. 22 for interested operators to reach out. Respondents that reached out for additional information were Bally’s, BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics Sportsbook, FanDuel, Kambi, and OpenBet.

Additionally, IGT also responded to the RFI proposal.

While nothing has been proposed yet, it’s likely that Rhode Island legislators are yet again exploring the potential to expand the state’s online sports betting market. IGT is currently the lone licensed online operator, which has an exclusive contract to operate online sports betting on behalf of the Rhode Island Lottery through 2026.

Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Delaware and Montana are the only four states in the country with legalized online sports betting but only one licensed operator for customers.

According to the RFI, after the responses from the licensed sports betting operator are evaluated, a request for proposal for additional online sports betting operators may be developed and issued.

Bill to Expand Failed Over Summer

The members of the Rhode Island Senate actually supported a bill to expand Little Rhody’s sports betting market earlier this year. The Rhode Island Senate approved SB 748, a bill to expand the state’s online sports betting from one operator to potentially a maximum of five, by a 30-3 vote in early June.

The bill set the total number of online sports betting operators at no more than five, but no less than three if approved. It also disallowed the state to renew its sports betting contract with IGT after Jan. 31, 2026. Interested operators would have bid for licenses in the state through a competitive licensing process.

Despite the Senate approval, the piece of legislation never received a House vote. The bill was never brought up in any House committee and the session ended June 21.