Rhode Island is no longer considering an expansion of its online sports betting market this year.
Senate Bill 748 failed to progress in the state’s House after the Senate passed an amended version of the measure earlier this month. SB 748, introduced by Sen. Frank Ciccone in March, proposed allowing Rhode Island to create an open sports betting market.
The state currently only offers online sports wagering through Sportsbook Rhode Island, a platform operated by IGT with licensing from the Rhode Island Lottery. SB 748 aimed to end IGT’s exclusive wagering contract and allow up to five sportsbooks in the state.
The original version of SB 748 proposed requiring Rhode Island to host a minimum of five online sportsbooks. Amendments changed the minimum requirement to three operators.
SB 748 proposed creating an open market in Rhode Island as IGT’s contract as the exclusive provider of online sports betting in the state is set to expire in 2026. IGT has been the exclusive operator in Rhode Island since 2019 when the state launched sports betting.
In addition to providing online wagering, IGT is the exclusive supplier of retail and online services to the Rhode Island Lottery through a 20-year contract as a licensed vendor.
As a result of SB 748 failing to progress in the House, IGT will continue to pay its hefty tax rate of 51% with no competition in the state. The original and amended versions of the piece of legislation did not include tax rate figures for an open Rhode Island market.
In FY2025, Rhode Island reported $14 million in tax revenue from online wagering.
US markets with exclusive online sportsbooks
Rhode Island is one of several states with one exclusive online sports betting operator.
Bettors in Delaware have been restricted to one operator since the state became the second U.S. market to legalize single-game online sports wagers. Delaware is home to BetRivers providing Rush Street Interactive with exclusive wagering access in the state.
Hard Rock Bet serves as Florida’s exclusive operator through a pact with the Seminole Tribe while DraftKings is the only sports betting operator licensed to operate in Oregon.
