Bally’s Wins Five-Year Deal to Launch Rhode Island’s Second Online Sportsbook, Ending the State’s Single-Operator Era

The Rhode Island Lottery announced on May 8 that it has awarded Bally’s Corporation a tentative five-year contract to operate the state’s second online sportsbook, ending a single-operator structure that has been in place since Rhode Island launched mobile sports betting in 2019. Bally’s was selected from two operators that responded to the Lottery’s request for qualifications. The deal cannot be finalized for launch any earlier than November 26, 2026, the date on which the exclusivity provision within the existing contract with IGT expires. Contract terms between the Lottery and Bally’s are still being negotiated.

Rhode Island has operated one of the smallest and most tightly controlled online sports betting markets in the country since legalization, with IGT’s platform serving as the exclusive digital operator under a contract that expires in 2028. That arrangement has given the Rhode Island Lottery direct control over the state’s sports betting app and allowed the state to capture a significant share of revenue, but it has also limited the competitive environment and the range of betting products available to Rhode Island bettors. The Lottery’s decision to award Bally’s a second license represents a meaningful shift in the state’s approach and is expected to introduce a more competitive consumer environment beginning in late 2026.

What Bally’s Brings and What the Deal Means

Bally’s Corporation already has a significant physical presence in Rhode Island, operating the Bally’s Twin River Lincoln and Bally’s Tiverton casinos in the state. The company’s familiarity with Rhode Island regulators and its existing in-person sportsbook operations likely contributed to its selection over the one other qualified bidder, which was identified as Rush Street Gaming’s BetRivers platform. Under the tentative agreement, Bally’s will retain 49% of revenue generated through its online sportsbook, with the remaining 51% going to the state, mirroring the tax structure imposed on the existing IGT-powered platform. The deal includes an option to extend for an additional five years beyond the initial term.

For Rhode Island bettors, the introduction of Bally’s as a second licensed operator will offer an alternative to the existing state-run platform and is expected to bring additional promotional opportunities and potentially a broader range of wagering markets. The November 26 launch floor means bettors can expect Bally’s to be live before the end of the 2026 NFL regular season if contract negotiations are completed on schedule. Rhode Island has been one of the more restrictive states in the country in terms of limiting consumer choice in the online sports betting market, and the addition of a second operator marks a notable shift for bettors who have long had only a single licensed option. Bettors in other states looking to compare their options can use the state-by-state sports betting guide to see what platforms are available where they live.