Rhode Island Lottery Selects Bally’s for Second Online Sports Betting Platform

The Rhode Island Lottery has chosen Bally’s as the operator for the state’s second online sports betting platform after a competitive bidding process that saw the company edge out Rush Street Interactive’s BetRivers proposal and observers note this decision marks a significant shift in the state’s gaming landscape.

Under the agreement Bally’s will launch its online sports betting site in November 2026 at the company’s Lincoln and Tiverton casino properties and this timeline ends IGT’s long-standing exclusivity that began in 2019 when that company became the sole provider of online sports wagering services in Rhode Island.

Background on Rhode Island’s Sports Betting Market

Rhode Island introduced online sports betting through IGT in 2019 and the arrangement allowed residents to place wagers via a single platform that operated in partnership with the state lottery and data from teh lottery shows online sports betting generated $26.7 million in handle during the period from July through March while the state received approximately $13.6 million in revenue from those activities.

The figures reflect steady participation in the market since its launch and state officials have tracked these numbers closely as they considered expanding access to a second operator and the decision to add another platform comes after years of monitoring performance under the initial exclusivity deal.

The Selection Process and Bidding Details

The Rhode Island Lottery conducted a review of proposals from interested operators and Bally’s emerged as the selected partner after evaluators compared operational capabilities revenue projections and compliance records against competing bids including the one submitted by Rush Street Interactive for its BetRivers brand.

State records indicate that the selection prioritizes integration with existing casino facilities at Lincoln and Tiverton which already host Bally’s physical gaming operations and this approach allows for coordinated marketing and player account management between land-based and digital channels once the new platform activates in late 2026.

Financial Performance and State Revenue Impact

Lottery data covering the July through March period provides concrete evidence of the market’s scale and the $26.7 million handle translated into roughly $13.6 million for state coffers after standard deductions for prizes and operator fees and these amounts represent a measurable contribution to public funds that lawmakers have referenced when discussing future expansions.

The revenue breakdown shows consistent month-to-month activity that has supported legislative interest in broadening the operator field and analysts tracking similar markets in neighboring states have observed that additional platforms often correlate with higher overall handle totals over time although Rhode Island’s smaller population base keeps absolute numbers modest compared with larger jurisdictions.

Timeline for Implementation and End of Exclusivity

Bally’s is scheduled to begin operations in November 2026 and the launch date aligns with preparations at both casino locations where infrastructure upgrades and staff training will occur in the months leading up to activation and the move simultaneously concludes IGT’s exclusive rights that have been in place since the original 2019 rollout.

Transition planning between the current and incoming operators is expected to include player data migration protocols and account continuity measures to minimize disruption for existing users and state regulators have indicated they will oversee the handoff to maintain compliance with all licensing requirements.

Operational Details at Lincoln and Tiverton Properties

The new Bally’s platform will be accessible through the company’s two casino sites which already serve as hubs for retail sports betting and this dual-location strategy allows residents in different parts of the state to register and fund accounts at physical locations if they prefer in-person verification over online methods.

Integration with the casinos also opens pathways for cross-promotional offers between table games slot play and sports wagers once the digital product is live and Bally’s has confirmed it will maintain separate branding for its online sports betting product while leveraging the established reputation of its Rhode Island properties.

Conclusion

The Rhode Island Lottery’s selection of Bally’s establishes a clear path for a second online sports betting option that will debut in November 2026 and the move builds directly on performance data showing $26.7 million in handle and $13.6 million in state revenue from July through March under the prior single-operator model.

With exclusivity ending for IGT after seven years the expanded framework positions the state to evaluate whether additional competition increases overall participation while continuing to generate consistent returns for public programs and implementation steps at the Lincoln and Tiverton sites will determine how smoothly the transition unfolds for players and operators alike.