The inauguration of its online casino propositions has placed Bally’s Corporation as the sole iGaming operator in Rhode Island. With this, Rhode Island joins six other US states, including New Jersey, Delaware, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Connecticut, that have already implemented regulated iGaming.
Rhode Island paved it’s way to regulated iGaming in June 2023, courtesy Governor Dan McKee’s affirmation of Senate Bill 948. This bill pushed Bally’s, already a monopoly in land-based casino operations in the state, into the virtual realm.
History testifies in 2021, Bally’s secured a 20-year, no-contest contract for managing the state’s two land-based casinos, the Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort and Bally’s Tiverton Casino and Hotel, in collaboration with IGT.
Debut of iGaming
Bally’s presently caters to the state residents through its mobile app and website by offering online slots and table games, enriched by live casino counterparts. This move roots from last week’s four-day technology trial inviting “selected guests” from Bally’s terrestrial properties.
Bally’s platform is launching with approximately 170 slot games, along with live dealer blackjack and roulette through a partnership with Stakelogic from their studio at Twin River Lincoln.
The incorporation of iGaming in Rhode Island by Bally’s could potentially create up to 50-75 part- and full-time roles.
The eligibility mandate of the iGaming platform includes being over 21 and physically appearing in Rhode Island. The platform integrates responsible gambling utilities such as deposit, session and expenditure limits, hiatus periods and self-banning.
Observations from Stakeholders
Craig Eaton, heading Bally’s operations in Rhode Island, voiced his satisfaction towards this new gaming product conceived from the collaboration with the General Assembly, Governor McKee, and their regulators. He assured that control over iGaming is entirely regulated by the state, with contributions to the state being nearly 62% of the slot revenue and 15% of the table game revenue.
The Rhode Island Senate president, Dominick Ruggerio, expressed his pride in sponsoring the iGaming-approving legislation in Rhode Island and looks forward to its execution. He believes iGaming will keep Rhode Island leading the gaming industry while generating a crucial revenue stream and offering an alternative entertainment source.
K. Joseph Shekarchi, Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, praised the cooperation between legislature and private sector in formulating initiatives improving state revenues which ultimately benefit the taxpayers.
Total market value for Bally’s Corporation (BALY) stands at $13.12 (up by 0.85%).
