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Rhode Island may be moving toward a more competitive online sports betting market. Lawmakers in the state have passed a bill that could open the door for multiple sportsbook operators to enter the market and compete for contracts starting in 2026.
For years, the Sportsbook Rhode Island app—developed by International Game Technology (IGT)—has held exclusive rights to online sports wagering in the state. That could soon change if the Rhode Island House of Representatives signs off on the newly approved legislation.
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Senate Bill 748 aims to introduce competition into Rhode Island’s market by requiring the Lottery to issue contracts to multiple sportsbook providers instead of renewing IGT’s exclusive agreement. That contract is set to expire in November 2026.
DraftKings, which has no access to Rhode Island at the moment, openly supported the bill. The company submitted written testimony saying, “We believe Rhode Island can reach its market potential with Senate Bill 748.” They also added, “The bill would allow Rhode Island residents to play on their favorite apps, while increasing tax revenue. A marketplace with multiple choices for players leads to a better player experience – operators are forced to innovate, while competing for business.”
The proposed shift has not gone unnoticed by IGT. In a Senate testimony, IGT Senior Vice President Joe Bertolone defended the current setup, arguing that centralized control has helped the state outperform others in the region. “The Rhode Island model outperforms many of its regional peers despite the presence of high-profile competitors in neighboring states,” Bertolone wrote.
He also pointed to the company’s original 2019 bid as the only one submitted for the exclusive sports betting contract at the time. According to Bertolone, “This strong fiscal performance is not coincidental; it reflects the benefits of centralized operations, cohesive marketing and product development through committed in-state operating partners. The data strongly suggests that maintaining the current model is the most prudent course of action to safeguard and grow state revenues.”
The bill was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone and initially called for “at least five” vendor contracts to be awarded once IGT’s agreement ends. It has since been revised to allow the Lottery to pick anywhere between three and five operators, based on competitive bids.
If passed by the House, Rhode Island would become one of the few states to shift from a single-operator model to a broader, competitive sports betting market—similar to larger states that already allow multiple apps.