The bustling environment of a sportsbook in Rhode Island reflecting the growth in betting activity.
Rhode Island has experienced a remarkable 58% increase in sports and iGaming bets in June 2025, totaling $150.4 million. This growth comes amidst varying betting performances in neighboring states and a significant drop in the state’s sports betting revenue. A proposed bill could introduce more competition in the market, currently monopolized by IGT, raising concerns about gambling addiction while highlighting the need for consumer protection and revenue generation.
Rhode Island’s sports and iGaming bets surged by 58% in June 2025, reaching a total of $150.4 million, according to recent data. This growth occurred despite a noted decline in sports betting revenue, highlighting an interesting shift in the betting landscape within the state.
This remarkable increase in betting activity stands in contrast to performance observed in other states. For example, Arkansas recorded over $300 million in sports wagers during the first half of 2025, while Maine saw a 13% decrease in its sports betting handle for June. Massachusetts also reported below $100 million in casino revenue during the same month, indicating a broader trend of mixed outcomes across the region. New Hampshire’s Lottery announced $51 million in June sports bets, while Mississippi’s sports wagering declined by 6%.
In Rhode Island, the sole platform for placing sports bets is the Sportsbook RI website, which is managed by International Game Technology (IGT) PLC. Currently, IGT holds a monopoly over the state’s digital sportsbook market. However, changes may come soon. Legislation sponsored by Senator Frank Ciccone aims to permit at least five sports betting vendors to operate by July 1, 2026.
This proposed bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Labor and Gaming, while a companion bill in the House has made its way to the House Committee on Finance. The introduction of this legislation follows numerous complaints regarding the limitations of the Sportsbook RI app. Although the app holds a 4.4-star rating on Apple’s App Store and 4.2 on Google Play, user reviews indicate a dissatisfaction with its performance and options.
Despite the increase in total bets, Rhode Island’s sports betting revenue has faced a significant drop, decreasing from $509.5 million in the fiscal year of 2023 to $458.8 million in fiscal year 2024. This slump raises questions about the sustainability of growth in the betting sector, especially as concerns of gambling addiction alongside potential expansions in sports betting apps loom large.
Current gambling laws in Rhode Island mandate that casinos promote self-exclusion for problem gamblers and support programs designed to combat gambling addiction. However, Ciccone’s proposal does not specifically address these issues, although it anticipates that such provisions will eventually be included.
Rhode Island remains one of only four states that rely on a single sports betting app, a stark contrast to Massachusetts, which has seven, and Connecticut, with three options available to bettors. The steep 51% tax on sports wager revenues in Rhode Island is one of the highest in the country, possibly deterring new entrants into this competitive market. IGT emphasizes its successful centralized operations and advocates for maintaining its contract through November 2026, arguing it is necessary for securing state revenue.
The bill proposed by Ciccone has received backing from major sports betting operators, including DraftKings, highlighting the benefits of increased revenue and improved player experiences that could arise from a more competitive betting environment.
As Rhode Island navigates the complexities of the sports betting and iGaming market, stakeholders are left to consider how forthcoming legislative changes will shape the landscape moving forward and whether they will adequately address both market growth and consumer protection measures.
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