Governor signs mobile sports betting bill in Rhode Island

Gov. Gina Raimondo has signed legislation introduced by Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio and Speaker of the House Nicholas A. Mattiello that will allow mobile sports wagering through Twin River Casino in Lincoln and Tiverton Casino Hotel.

The legislation will enable the creation of an app which consumers could use to access the sports gaming offerings at Twin River from anyplace within the parameters of the state of Rhode Island.

“The new in-person sportsbook that opened in November has been very popular, with lines sometimes stretching out the doors,” said President Ruggerio. “It is an entertainment option that many Rhode Islanders enjoy, and visitors from outside the state are also flocking to our gaming facilities to place their wagers on sporting events. Expanding to mobile gaming would provide a convenient option for those wishing to enjoy this form of entertainment, and open up the economic benefits beyond the walls of Twin River. I can envision a group of friends from out-of-state spending an evening out in a local establishment where they can both watch the game and place a wager.”

In Rhode Island, wagering is received upon a server-based gaming system located on the premises of the casinos, and therefore, deemed to be placed and accepted at the casino. The State of Rhode Island will continue to receive 51 per cent of all winnings from sports wagering, among the highest rates in the country.

“This revenue, along with the revenue we anticipate from an expansion to mobile gaming is a tremendous benefit to the state,” said Speaker Mattiello. “It’s an added benefit that we can capture revenue that would have otherwise gone to an illegal market. When you consider that up to 97 per cent of sports wagering is done illegally, it makes good sense for the state to increase its revenue by providing an entertainment that can be done safely and legally.”