News Summary
In July, Rhode Island’s casinos faced mixed revenue results, with overall revenues dropping by 1%. Bally’s Tiverton Casino saw a growth in revenue, while Bally’s Twin Rivers experienced a decline. Legislative developments regarding marketing reimbursements and smoking bans could influence future revenue and operations. Public support for a smoking ban in casinos is rising, prompting advocacy for change as the Senate prepares to vote on these important issues.
Rhode Island – In July, Rhode Island’s two land-based casinos recorded a revenue drop of 1% from the prior month, totaling $53.2 million. This represents a slight decline of 0.9% compared to the same month last year, which saw revenues of $53.7 million.
Bally’s Tiverton Casino, one of the state’s two casinos, showed a different trend as it reported revenue growth. The casino earned $13.8 million in July, marking a 2% increase from $12.8 million in July 2022. The rise can be attributed to a 2.5% increase in slot revenue, climbing from $10.8 million to $11.1 million, while table game revenue experienced a slight decline of 0.4%, decreasing from $2 million to $1.98 million.
Conversely, Bally’s Twin Rivers Casino faced a downturn, experiencing a revenue decline of 1.8% year-over-year. Its revenue fell from $40.8 million in July 2022 to $40.1 million this July. Despite an increase in slot revenue, which grew by 2% from $31.6 million to $32.3 million, table game revenue plummeted by 15%, dropping from $9.2 million to $7.8 million. Overall, the combined slot revenue from both casinos saw a minor increase of 2.2%, rising from $42.5 million to $43.4 million. However, the state’s table game revenue was adversely affected, falling by 12.6% from $11.2 million to $9.8 million.
Legislative Developments
Amidst these revenue fluctuations, the Rhode Island Senate has taken steps toward advancing legislation that could significantly impact Bally’s Corporation. A bill aimed at increasing marketing reimbursements for the casino operator was recently proposed by Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone. This legislation seeks to amend existing reimbursement rates that have not been updated since 2010.
The proposed changes come at a time when there is an ongoing discussion regarding a smoking ban within the state’s casinos. Bally’s has indicated that such a ban could potentially lead to a loss of approximately $20 million in annual revenue. The Senate is expected to present the bill for a full vote on the upcoming Tuesday, although there are currently no companion bills in the House.
Financial Implications and Concerns
The amended bill could significantly enhance Bally’s marketing reimbursements, with estimates suggesting an increase of about $2.8 million. However, the Rhode Island Lottery’s director has raised concerns related to the financial and legal ramifications of modifying existing contracts.
Public support for a smoking ban in the state’s casinos is notable, as a recent poll indicated that 70% of respondents favor such a measure. Activists and unionized workers are actively advocating for immediate implementation of a smoking ban, highlighting health and safety concerns for both employees and patrons.
Overview of Casino Industry Trends
While Rhode Island’s casino performance showed mixed results, other gaming companies outside the state reported positive revenue trends. Intralot announced growth of €168 million for the first half of 2025, PointsBet achieved record revenues of A$261.4 million in fiscal year 2025, and Genting Malaysia reported a remarkable profit surge nearing RM3 billion in Q2.
As the Rhode Island Senate prepares to vote on the bill regarding marketing reimbursements and potential smoking regulations, the future of the state’s casinos remains uncertain. Stakeholders are closely monitoring these developments, as they will undoubtedly shape the landscape of the Rhode Island gaming industry in the coming months.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Gaming Intelligence: Rhode Island Gaming Revenue Falls
- Wikipedia: Rhode Island
- CDC Gaming Reports: Rhode Island Casino Revenue
- Google Search: Rhode Island Casino Revenues
- WPRI: RI Lawmakers Approve Smoking Bill
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Casino
- Action Network: Bally Casino Logo
- Google News: Rhode Island Casinos
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
