Rhode Island joins a growing number of US states offering legal and regulated sports betting to its citizens. The state will roll out legalized sports betting at its Twin River Casino in Lincoln this coming Monday. A ceremonial first bet will be placed by Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and a few other people. Shortly afterwards, local punters may also do so.
Earlier this year, following the US Supreme Court’s ruling overturn an almost nationwide ban on sports betting, Rhode Island legalized casino-based sports betting. According to the Providence Journal, residents will be able to partake in “legalized wagering on all manner of athletic contests, except for those happening in the state or involving Rhode Island-based teams, at Twin River’s casinos in Lincoln and Tiverton.”
At first, the two casinos will offer bets on US-based games, although they hope to add international competitions such as the English Premier League soccer tournament, to their repertoire in the coming months.
While Rhode Island initially expected to generate $23.5 million from its new sports betting industry, those numbers are been brought down to a more realistic $11.5 million.
A new sports betting lounge is being built at the Twin Rivers Casino in Lincoln, and bets will be taken for now from a third-floor simulcasting space. The Tiverton location is still not ready to take bets, although it is expected to roll out legal sports betting in a few short weeks.
Rhode Island joins states such as Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, West Virginia and Mississippi in their new sports betting industries.