16 May 2026
Bally’s Secures Spot as Rhode Island’s Second Online Sports Betting Operator
The Rhode Island Lottery has chosen Bally’s to run the state’s second online sports betting platform after a competitive bidding process that saw the company edge out Rush Street Interactive and its BetRivers offering, and this selection sets the stage for a major expansion at the Bally’s Lincoln and Tiverton casino properties with a planned launch in November 2026 that will end IGT’s exclusivity dating back to 2019.
Selection Details and Timeline
State officials reviewed proposals from multiple operators before settling on Bally’s which demonstrated strong technical capabilities along with established local presence through its two Rhode Island casinos, and the decision positions the company to roll out the platform across both Lincoln and Tiverton locations where players will access mobile and desktop betting options once the system goes live in late 2026.
IGT held the sole online sports betting license since the program began in 2019 but that arrangement concludes with the new operator’s arrival, and this shift opens the market to additional competition while keeping oversight firmly in the hands of the Rhode Island Lottery.
Launch Plans at Local Properties
Bally’s plans to integrate the new platform directly with its existing casino operations at Lincoln and Tiverton so that in-person visitors and remote users experience a unified betting environment, and the November 2026 target gives the company and state regulators ample time to complete testing, compliance reviews, and staff training ahead of the rollout.
Both properties already serve as key hubs for Rhode Island’s gaming industry and adding online sports betting will extend their reach to users who prefer to wager from home or on mobile devices while the physical casinos continue to handle traditional gaming and entertainment offerings.
Current Revenue Performance
Figures from the Rhode Island Lottery show that online sports betting produced a handle of $26.7 million between July and March with the state receiving approximately $13.6 million in revenue during that same period, and these numbers highlight steady demand that the arrival of a second operator is expected to build upon once Bally’s platform enters the market.
Observers note that teh existing IGT-run service has established a baseline for player participation and tax contributions, yet adding Bally’s creates room for growth in handle and state receipts without disrupting the regulatory framework already in place.
Market Expansion and Player Access
The introduction of a second platform means Rhode Island residents and visitors will soon have more choices for placing sports wagers online, and Bally’s intends to leverage its brand recognition from the two casino sites to attract users who already frequent the properties for other gaming activities.
State regulators will continue to manage licensing, game integrity, and responsible gambling measures as they have since the program started, and the transition from single-operator exclusivity to a dual-platform model reflects broader trends seen in neighboring states where multiple providers operate under lottery oversight.
Looking Ahead to Full Implementation
With the selection now complete, Bally’s and the Rhode Island Lottery will move forward on detailed implementation steps including software integration, marketing coordination, and customer support setup, and the November 2026 launch date allows both parties to address any technical or regulatory issues well before the platform opens to the public.
Data collected during the current IGT-operated period provides a reference point for measuring future performance, and the addition of Bally’s is projected to increase overall engagement while maintaining the revenue stream that currently delivers millions of dollars annually to state programs.
Conclusion
The Rhode Island Lottery’s choice of Bally’s marks a clear next step in the evolution of the state’s online sports betting market, and the scheduled 2026 launch at the Lincoln and Tiverton properties will bring an end to IGT’s long-held exclusivity while introducing fresh competition backed by established local operations. Revenue figures already demonstrate meaningful contributions from the existing platform, and the expanded system is positioned to build on that foundation through increased access and player options. Regulators and operators alike will focus on smooth execution between now and the go-live date to ensure the transition delivers consistent results for the state and its residents.