After Rhode Island sports betting proposed opening up the market to more sportsbooks, the Senate approved SB 3118 by a 30-6 vote, putting the measure in motion by sending it to the House of Representatives.
Rhode Island lawmakers are moving toward a significant expansion of the state’s online sports betting market through SB 3118. During a June 4 Senate floor session, co-sponsor Sen. Frank Ciccone III said the legislation would create an “open invitation” process for new sportsbook applicants, allowing additional operators to enter the market.
If enacted, the bill would require the state to increase the number of licensed sports wagering vendors to between four and six by Jan. 1, 2027. The move would mark a major shift for Rhode Island, which has operated with only one online sportsbook since legal wagering launched in 2019.
Currently, Sportsbook Rhode Island, powered by IGT under a contract running through 2028, is the state’s lone online betting platform. However, Bally’s Corporation has already secured approval to join the market once IGT’s exclusivity period ends later this year, after being selected over a competing proposal from Rush Street Interactive.
SB 3118 would open the door for additional operators, creating one of the biggest competitive changes in Rhode Island’s sports betting industry since legalization.
This is good news for sports bettors because previously, their options were severely limited. With only one sportsbook, they were unable to compare odds at other betting sites, which is an important way to get value on your wagers. Without this, it’s harder to be profitable.
Additionally, Sportsbook Rhode Island was missing several popular bet types, including player props with alternate lines.
This limited option meant that bettors had to either travel to a neighboring state like Massachusetts, which is inconvenient, or use offshore sportsbooks. Those platforms don’t have the same consumer protections in place, putting players at risk.
With SB 3118 now in motion, there is light at the end of the tunnel for Rhode Island sports betting.
If enacted, you can expect the following sportsbooks to set up shop in Rhode Island:
As the two leading operators across the country, we can pencil in FanDuel and DraftKings in our projected Rhode Island new sportsbooks.
That leaves at least two other spots, likely to a pair of the following:
These four are next in line in market share across most states, so it’s reasonable to expect some of them to join in on Rhode Island.
Following Senate approval, SB 3118 now heads to the Rhode Island House of Representatives, where lawmakers will decide whether to advance the proposal further. If the bill clears the House and is signed into law, the state would begin preparing an application process for additional sportsbook operators ahead of the Jan. 1, 2027, target date outlined in the legislation.
Do note that even if SB 3118 ultimately becomes law, the transition would take time, as new operators would still need regulatory approval and platform testing before launching in the state. However, the legislation marks a significant step toward reshaping Rhode Island’s sports betting landscape and bringing it more in line with neighboring states that already offer multiple sportsbooks.
