Rhode Island’s governor, Dan McKee, signed Senate Bill 848 into law on 22 June 2023. The bill gives residents of Rhode Island legal access to online casino games, including live dealer table games and interactive slots. Rhode Island is the seventh state in the United States to legalize iGaming. The bill effectively extended Bally’s land-based casino monopoly in Rhode Island into online gaming.
Tax revenue from iGaming
Other states such as Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia have already benefited for some time from the tax revenue that comes from legal iGaming and online sports betting.
Rhode Island expects to receive $24 million in tax revenue during the first full year of iGaming operation. Lawmakers in Rhode Island are celebrating how the private sector and legislature worked together toward the Bally’s Casino website and iGaming app launch.
Launching of iGaming app
The app underwent a technical trial for four days before launching on March 5th, 2024. It will initially offer 170 slot titles, live dealer roulette, and blackjack. Bally’s customers can play games via desktop or an iOS mobile app.
Stakelogic, a live table games supplier, supports the launch with its software and technology. Rhode Islanders who want to play existing table games offered at the two land-based casinos via their mobile devices now have the convenience of being able to do so.
The online app launch could be timely
Sports betting brings in less revenue than iGaming and yet it is legalized in nearly 40 states. In online casino legal states, iGaming is growing by leaps and bounds and generating plenty of revenue. In 2023, New Jersey oddsmakers generated about $1 billion from retail and online sportsbooks and over $1.9 billion from iGaming platforms.
Given a drop in Rhode Island’s monthly earnings for sports betting, Bally’s online app could be coming at the right time. The app has created about 75 jobs, both full-time and part-time positions. The launch of Bally’s iGaming app could help to keep Rhode Island at the forefront of the competitive New England gaming market.
Regulation of iGaming
The Rhode Island Division of the Lottery will regulate iGaming. It currently oversees the two Bally’s land-based casinos in the state. Its director, Mark Furcolo, will develop reasonable rules and regulations that offer online security to players in the state.
The sponsor of Senate Bill 848 and president of the Senate, Dominick J Ruggerio, confirmed that the iGaming legislation is constitutional and geared to mature users. It contains education provisions for problem gamblers.
Within the iGaming platform, players will have access to responsible gaming tools to control their time and financial activity. They will be able to select deposit limits, session limits, wager limits, and time-out periods. Bally’s must provide at least $50,000 in funding for problem gambling prevention. It must also provide at least $200,000 to fund gambling treatment programs.