Rhode Island iGaming launches today at noon nearly nine months after being signed into law.
Bally’s will be the lone iGaming operator in the state. Rhode Island’s iGaming bill allows online slots and live online table games which are simulcasted from a remote location and feature live on-screen dealers. This live-deal provision circumvented concerns about the bill’s constitutionality, which many thought required online table games to have at least “one live person” to be in line with state regulations.
iGaming launches at 12 p.m. today. Gov. Daniel McKee (D) signed Rhode Island’s iGaming bill into law in June 2023.
Bally’s Remains As Only Operator
With Rhode Island’s launch iGaming is now live in seven states.
The bill allows Bally’s online casino to have an iGaming monopoly in Rhode Island, as is it will the only eligible operator. Today’s launch follows a four-day technical trial period where guests were invited to experience a beta version of Bally’s online gaming program.
“We are pleased to launch this new gaming product which is borne out of our partnership with the General Assembly, Governor McKee and our regulators, the RI Department of Revenue, Division of Lottery, Department of Business Regulation and RI State Police to enhance state revenue and better position the state’s casinos in the competitive New England gaming market,” Craig Eaton, President of Bally’s Rhode Island Operations, said in a press release.
“As with all gaming operations, the state will retain complete regulatory control of iGaming, with nearly 62% of the slot revenue and 15% of the table game revenue directed to the state.”
Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio (D-4), a sponsor of the iGaming legislation, said he is excited for its implementation.
““iGaming will ensure that Rhode Island remains at the forefront of the competitive gaming industry, reinforcing a critical revenue stream for the state while providing an alternative form of entertainment. It builds upon other steps we have taken to better position Rhode Island in the gaming and hospitality industries, including a new partnership with CCRI to train Rhode Islanders for good paying, secure job opportunities in gaming and related areas of the hospitality industry,” he said.
iGaming Bill Details
According to the bill:
- Players must be at least 21 to participate
- Bally’s will offer games through the IGT platform, which currently operates in brick-and-mortar casinos throughout the state
- Bally’s will also offer its live dealer and table games through its partnership with Stakelogic
The state imposed a tax of 61% on online slot revenue and 15.5% from online table game revenues.
According to an iGaming tax revenue study commissioned by Bally’s Corporation, Rhode Island may see an additional $93.3 million in gross gaming revenue in its first year, as as much as $130.6 million by its fifth year of operation.
This translates to roughly $210 million in additional tax revenue for the state over a five year period.
