Legislation allowing for additional sports wagering licenses advanced by Rhode Island Senate

Senate Bill 3118, which would allow for Rhode Island lawmakers to grant an additional 2-4 sports wagering vendor licenses, was officially passed by the state’s Senate on June 4, potentially resulting in an “open invitation” for applicants by January 1, 2027. 

The legislation reads: “No later than January 1, 2027, the division shall issue an open invitation to applicants for sports-wagering vendor contracts and then shall award additional sports-wagering contracts until the total number of individual sports-wagering vendors operating in the state is no less than four and no more than six.”

Currently, International Game Technology (IGT) maintains an exclusivity period to offer online sports betting in Rhode Island, but will watch the session conclude during November 2026. The supplier did agree to a multi-year extension of its agreement with the Rhode Island Lottery on January 7, however. 

In May, Bally’s Corporation was approved for an online sports wagering vendor license by the Rhode Island Lottery, and will launch its digital platform once the exclusivity period concludes on November 26. 

According to Rhode Island Lottery Deputy Director Michael O’Rourke, Bally’s was chosen over a competing bid from Rush Street Interactive to launch its BetRivers platform across the state. 

Rhode Island Senators advanced Senate Bill 3118 with a 30-6 vote, as the legislation will now be heard by the state’s House of Representatives prior to needing Governor approval.

The Rhode Island Lottery will evaluate applications based on the quality of product and technical capabilities, sports betting operations in other states, consumer protection standards and their history of regulatory compliance.

While momentum appears to be building for Senate Bill 3118, similar legislation failed to advance through the Rhode Island House of Representatives during the state’s 2025 legislative session.