Bally’s Secures Rhode Island’s Second Online Sports Betting License: Expanded Gambling Market

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The Rhode Island gambling landscape is about to expand as Bally’s Corporation secures a landmark deal to operate the state’s second online sports betting site, marking a significant shift in the Ocean State’s tightly controlled wagering market. The announcement, confirmed by the Rhode Island Lottery on May 13, 2026, ends a five-year monopoly held by Sportsbook Rhode Island—the state’s sole legal online sportsbook since its launch in November 2018.

This development represents a major victory for Bally’s, which already operates Rhode Island’s two physical casinos (Twin River in Lincoln and Tiverton) and has maintained a dominant position in the state’s gambling ecosystem since acquiring Twin River Worldwide Holdings in 2020. The new online sportsbook will join Sportsbook Rhode Island—currently the only legal operator in the state—when its exclusive contract expires in November 2026, creating the first competitive marketplace for online wagering in Rhode Island.

Breaking the Monopoly

Rhode Island’s sports betting market has operated under an unusual state-run monopoly since legalization, with the Rhode Island Lottery directly overseeing all operations through Sportsbook Rhode Island. Powered by IGT technology and hosted through Bally’s casino infrastructure, the platform has generated over $110 million in state tax revenue since 2018—a figure that will now be supplemented by competition.

The state’s decision to open the market to a second operator follows a lengthy review process that began in late 2025, when the Rhode Island Lottery issued a request for proposals. Only two companies submitted bids: Bally’s and Rush Street Interactive. Lottery Deputy Director Michael O’Rourke told NBC 10 that Bally’s emerged as the winner after a “thorough review process,” though he noted that the state’s 51% revenue share—among the highest in the U.S.—may have deterred other potential applicants.

A Market on the Cusp of Change

The addition of Bally’s as a second online operator aligns Rhode Island with neighboring states that have embraced competition in sports betting. Massachusetts, for example, currently hosts seven licensed online sportsbooks, creating a far more dynamic marketplace. Rhode Island’s move comes as part of a broader trend of states relaxing their initial monopolistic approaches to gambling, often in response to consumer demand and revenue pressures.

For Bally’s, the deal represents a strategic expansion beyond its physical casino operations. The company, best known for its luxury leather goods (founded in Switzerland in 1851), has increasingly diversified into gaming and hospitality. Its acquisition of Twin River in 2020 positioned it as a key player in Rhode Island’s gambling sector, and the new online sportsbook deal solidifies that role.

What Comes Next

While the contract has not yet been finalized, sources indicate the new sportsbook is expected to launch in November 2026—coinciding with the expiration of IGT’s exclusive deal. The timing suggests Rhode Island is deliberately phasing out its monopoly structure, though the state will retain a significant 51% share of all online betting revenue.

For bettors, the change means more options and potentially better odds, though the impact on revenue distribution remains to be seen. Bally’s will operate the new platform alongside its existing casino operations, creating a vertically integrated gambling ecosystem in the state.

The development also raises questions about future competition. With only one other applicant in this round, it remains unclear whether Rhode Island will open the market further in the coming years—or whether Bally’s will effectively maintain a duopoly alongside the state-run Sportsbook Rhode Island.