Rhode Island Eyes Ending Sports Betting Monopoly, Inviting Major Brands

Rhode Island may open its sports betting market to competition. Major brands could enter, boosting the state's revenue and giving bettors more options.

, and Administrator

2025 October 11 . 5:01 AM

1 min read

In this picture there is a man who is wearing sixteen number jersey, helmet, short and shoe. Beside... — In this picture there is a man who is wearing sixteen number jersey, helmet, short and shoe. Beside him we can see another man who is wearing blue jacket, glass, helmet, trouser and standing near to the windows. At the top we can see audience sitting on the chair and watching the game. At the bottom there is another man who is wearing twenty six number jersey and holding a stick. In the bottom left corner there is an umpire was standing behind the glass. On the right we can see the companies advertisement board.

Rhode Island Eyes Ending Sports Betting Monopoly, Inviting Major Brands

Rhode Island is considering ending its sports betting monopoly and introducing competition. Regulators may seek proposals later this month, potentially inviting major brands like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM. The current exclusive contract with IGT expires in late 2026.

The state's Senate passed a bill earlier this year to expand licensed operators, but it stalled in the House. Lottery spokesperson Paul Grimaldi confirmed they're exploring the feasibility of adding more betting apps, evaluating potential benefits and revenue impact. DraftKings has previously supported legislation allowing three to five licensed operators by mid-2026. Ballys has also expressed interest in participating in future requests for proposals. The Rhode Island Lottery received responses from eight major companies, including DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM, to a summer request for information.

If approved, the change could bring leading sportsbook brands to Rhode Island, increasing competition and potentially boosting state revenue. The process is expected to begin later this month, with the current exclusive contract set to expire in November 2026.