Rhode Island sports betting is due to debut at Twin River Casino in Lincoln and potentially draw in a large number of punters from neighboring Massachusetts.
According to Patti Doyle, a spokeswoman for Twin River, sports betting at Twin River will begin around Thanksgiving.
Doyle also said that sports betting at Tiverton Hotel and Casino will follow shortly thereafter.
The move will see “Little Rhodie” becoming the first state in the New England area to begin offering legalized sports betting, and comes just a few months after the Supreme Court in the United States overturned the sports betting ban that was in effect for most states.
Lawmakers within the state have earmarked an estimated amount of $23.5 million in revenue from sports betting into their fiscal year.
Online wagers will not be permitted, under state law. Rhode Island is the smallest state in the Union and is already offering the service while neighboring states are still in the process of investigating the activity. A number of punters from neighboring regions will, more than likely, use Rhode Island to place wagers on games, which will provide revenue for the state.
Rhode Island sports betting will be operated by the State Lottery in partnership with William Hill and IGT. The lone bidder – IGT – will be the official partner of both sportsbooks while William Hill will provide odds and services.
Paul Grimaldi, a spokesman for the Rhode Island Department of Revenue, revealed that although the parties originally planned a launch date of 1st October 2018, “complex” negotiations among all parties had slowed the process.