16 May 2026
Bally’s Lands Rhode Island Lottery Deal for Second Online Sports Betting Platform
The Rhode Island Lottery has selected Bally’s as the operator for the state’s second online sports betting platform after the company prevailed over Rush Street Interactive’s BetRivers submission in a competitive bidding process. This development marks a shift from the single-operator model that has governed online sports wagering since its introduction in the state, with the new platform slated to go live in November 2026 at Bally’s Lincoln and Tiverton casino properties.
State officials confirmed the choice in late May 2026, ending IGT’s exclusivity agreement that began in 2019 when Rhode Island first legalized online sports betting. Under that initial arrangement, IGT operated the sole platform through its partnership with the lottery, handling all wagers and sharing revenue according to terms established at launch. The arrival of Bally’s creates a second channel for players while preserving the lottery’s oversight role.
Background on Rhode Island’s Online Betting Landscape
Rhode Island introduced online sports betting in late 2019 as one of the earliest states to move in this direction following the federal repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. IGT’s platform became the exclusive outlet, generating consistent activity that the lottery tracked through monthly reports. Data released by the Rhode Island Lottery shows online sports betting produced $26.7 million in total handle from July through March of the most recent fiscal period, with the state receiving approximately $13.6 million in revenue from those transactions.
That performance figure covers a nine-month window and reflects both mobile and desktop activity tied to the existing IGT system. Observers note the numbers provide a baseline for understanding market size before a second operator enters the space, although the lottery has not released year-over-year comparisons in the same announcement.
Details of the Bally’s Selection and Timeline
Bally’s submitted its proposal in response to the lottery’s request for bids and ultimately received approval over the competing BetRivers offer. The contract positions Bally’s to integrate its betting technology directly into the two casino locations it operates in the state, Lincoln and Tiverton. Both properties will serve as the physical anchors for the new online platform, allowing users to register, fund accounts, and place wagers through a unified system expected to launch in November 2026.
The rollout schedule gives Bally’s roughly eighteen months from the May 2026 announcement to complete platform development, regulatory testing, and integration with existing lottery systems. During this period the current IGT exclusivity remains in effect, so all online sports wagers continue to flow through the original operator until the transition date. Lottery officials have indicated they will conduct parallel compliance reviews to ensure both platforms meet state standards once Bally’s goes live.
Revenue Performance and Market Context
The $26.7 million handle figure reported by the lottery covers the period from July through March and translates to roughly $13.6 million returned to state coffers after operator fees and prize payouts. These totals represent wagers placed across all sports and bet types available on the existing platform, including straight bets, parlays, and futures. Because the data comes directly from lottery tracking systems, it offers an official snapshot of activity levels without relying on third-party estimates.
With a second operator entering the market, total handle could expand as competition increases marketing reach and product variety. The lottery has not issued forward projections in the selection announcement, yet historical patterns in other states show that additional platforms often lift overall wagering volume even when per-operator market share adjusts downward. Bally’s will operate alongside IGT starting November 2026, creating a duopoly structure that regulators can monitor through separate reporting streams.
Operational Changes at Casino Properties
Both Bally’s Lincoln and Bally’s Tiverton will host backend infrastructure and customer support functions for the new platform. This physical presence satisfies state requirements that online operators maintain a licensed casino location within Rhode Island. Staff at the properties will handle account verification, promotional events, and in-person deposit options that complement the mobile experience.
Players will gain access to the Bally’s platform through dedicated apps and websites once testing concludes. The lottery retains authority over game approvals, responsible gaming tools, and tax collection regardless of which operator processes the wager. This oversight model remains unchanged from the single-operator era, ensuring continuity in regulatory compliance.
Conclusion
The selection of Bally’s establishes a clear timeline for Rhode Island’s shift to a two-operator online sports betting environment. With launch targeted for November 2026 at the Lincoln and Tiverton properties, the state will move beyond the exclusivity period that began in 2019. Current performance data, including the $26.7 million handle and $13.6 million state share recorded from July through March, provides context for measuring future growth once the second platform becomes active. All operational and regulatory steps now focus on meeting that November deadline while maintaining uninterrupted service through the existing IGT system.