Rhode Island could soon see more competition in its online sports betting market. State regulators are exploring whether to end the current monopoly held by IGT, which operates Rhode Island’s only legal sportsbook app, known as Sportsbook RI.
The Rhode Island Lottery has confirmed that several major sportsbook operators, including FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM, have expressed interest in joining the state’s sports betting market.
These companies responded to a recent request for information as regulators explore whether to expand beyond the state’s current single-operator model. Other respondents include Bally’s, Fanatics, Kambi, and OpenBet.
If approved, the move could open the door to more mobile apps and betting platforms launching in Rhode Island as early as next year.
Currently, Rhode Island is one of four states with only one betting app, along with New Hampshire, Delaware, and Montana.
Allowing more sportsbook operators into Rhode Island’s market could improve the overall user experience. Since 2019, IGT has managed the Sportsbook RI app, which currently holds an exclusive license through the Rhode Island Lottery.
However, the platform has received mixed reviews from players due to limited features and occasional technical issues. Its reputation took a notable hit on September 7, when the app’s servers crashed for 75 minutes just before the 4 p.m. NFL games, which is one of the busiest betting windows of the year.
With IGT now based in Las Vegas following its 2024 acquisition by Apollo Global Management Inc., state regulators are considering whether to open the market. This would allow competitors like FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM to set up shop, potentially bringing more stability, innovation, and better customer service to Rhode Island’s growing sports betting audience.
Having reputable operators that have a nationwide presence, like FanDuel and DraftKings, would provide Rhode Island bettors with more options. This includes helpful promotions and favorable betting odds within mobile apps that function at a higher level. It’s less likely to have site-wide crashes during NFL seasons on these platforms, since that hasn’t happened to this point.
Conversely, IGT isn’t well-known for its sportsbook, so bringing in more established platforms could be viewed as an upgrade for its users.
If Rhode Island bettors have more online sportsbooks to choose from, it could increase the overall betting handle within the state, providing opportunities for more revenue.
Since its only sports betting app, IGT, has had technical issues, there is a risk that it has driven bettors to neighboring states with more options, such as Massachusetts, resulting in lost potential revenue. The alternative view is whether or not any changes to bring in more operators are even worth it, given the small bettor base within the state.
For now, the Rhode Island Lottery is looking into whether these changes are feasible within the state, reviewing input from multiple major sportsbooks as part of its ongoing evaluation. Any updates are expected to come in the coming months.
