Rhode Island’s Betting Market Stays Locked as Bills Stall
Rhode Island’s hopes for a more open sports betting market died as the state legislature wrapped up its session on June 21, without passing key bills to break International Gaming Technology’s (IGT) monopoly.
A Missed Shot at Competition
Two pieces of legislation, Senate Bill 748 and House Bill 6048, aimed to expand the market from one operator to up to five by July 2026, but both fizzled out. The Senate passed SB 748 with a strong 30-2 vote on June 4, but the House never brought it to a committee hearing, effectively killing it.
House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi downplayed the urgency, pointing out that IGT’s exclusive contract runs through January 31, 2026. With no action taken, Rhode Island remains one of the few states with a single-operator digital betting market, leaving Sportsbook RI, run by IGT, as the only game in town.
Senate’s Push, House’s Pause
SB 748, championed by Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone, was a big deal for backers like the late Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, who had long pushed for betting reforms. The bill aimed to end IGT’s grip by opening the market to three to five new operators, promising better odds and more choices for bettors.
Its strong Senate support showed momentum, but the House’s inaction stopped it cold. Shekarchi’s hesitation suggests lawmakers are wary of shaking things up before IGT’s contract expires.
Meanwhile, House Bill 6048, introduced by Rep. Matthew Dawson on March 7, 2025, took a similar tack, aiming to block IGT’s contract renewal and welcome new players.
During a May 2025 House Finance Committee hearing, it was “held for further study”, a polite way of saying it’s on ice. With the session over, both bills are dead, though they could resurface in 2026 with tweaks.
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