Chavdar Vasilev is a journalist covering the casino and sports betting market sectors for CasinoBeats. He joined CasinoBeats in May 2025 and reports on industry-shaping stories across the US and beyond, including legislative debates, market...
Read Full BioRhode Island may be laying the groundwork to expand its sports betting market beyond one operator, as state officials prepare to end IGT’s long-running monopoly in 2026 and invite outside operators to compete.
The potential move, which comes after failed expansion efforts by Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone, could transform one of the country’s only monopoly markets just as IGT faces fallout from a 2024 data breach.
Monopoly Era Nears Possible End
Rhode Island was among the first states to legalize sports betting in 2018. The state launched the regulated market in 2019, opting for a single-operator strategy controlled by International Game Technology (IGT) and its partner, Bally’s. This strategy is managed through a contract with the Rhode Island Lottery, which runs through November 2026.
Earlier this summer, the Lottery sent a request for information exploring possible interest from other operators. According to the Rhode Island Current, eight companies, including IGT, have responded.
The other respondents were Bally’s, Fanatics, Kambi, DraftKings, BetMGM, OpenBet, and FanDuel.
Lottery officials will use feedback from responding companies to inform a request for proposals, which might be ready to go out later this month, according to Lottery spokesperson Paul Grimaldi.
“[The] Lottery is moving ahead with its examination of whether adding more apps is feasible,” Grimaldi said in an email to The Current.
IGT’s Sportsbook RI app has received mixed reviews from users. It drew backlash after its server went down for 75 minutes on September 7, just ahead of the 4 p.m. games during the NFL’s first weekend, reminding consumers that with only one operator, they had no alternative.
Earlier this summer, IGT completed the split of its lottery division, now called Brightstar, from the Gaming and Digital divisions, which merged with Everi Holdings under Apollo Global Management’s umbrella.
Failed Expansion Efforts in 2025
The potential expansion follows a failed legislative attempt this year. In June, the Rhode Island Senate passed Ciccone’s bill to expand the sports betting market, but the measure died in the House.
At the time, proponents argued that ending the monopoly would modernize the market. However, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi indicated that he’s not interested in the matter because IGT’s contract doesn’t expire until 2026.
The push by Ciccone and other proponents had been fueled by a Spectrum Gaming Group report commissioned by lawmakers. The report recommended opening the market to multiple operators and lowering tax rates to ensure competitiveness.
Initially, the Lottery officials were against the idea of expanding the market. Director Mark Furcolo said the Lottery won’t be able to manage five operators as Ciccone’s bill called for. He also questioned the bill’s provisions, which called for terminating IGT’s contract earlier.
Still, the request for information and potential request for proposals indicate that Lottery officials have likely come on board.
Who’s Waiting in the Wings
If Rhode Island proceeds with a competitive licensing process in 2026, several familiar names could bid.
DraftKings, headquartered in and dominating its neighboring state of Massachusetts, is well-positioned both geographically and politically. The operator has already shown support during a Senate testimony on Ciccone’s bill.
FanDuel, the US market leader, also has deep ties to New England. Caesars and BetMGM would likely pursue entry to round out their national footprints.
Smaller operators looking to expand their reach, such as ESPN Bet and Fanatics, could also consider Rhode Island. A Fanatics spokesperson told The Current that the company “publicly supports an open and competitive market in Rhode Island for legal sports betting.”
Another candidate is Bally’s, which has its headquarters in the state, operates retail casinos, and is the sole online casino app operator. The company stated that it continues to “have an interest in a Rhode Island sportsbook RFP.”
For consumers, having more operators would likely mean improved bonuses, enhanced app features, and more competitive odds. For the state, the challenge will be balancing increased consumer choice with revenue stability and regulatory oversight.
IGT’s Data Breach Strengthens the Case for Competition
One factor that could boost legislative appetite for change is a 2024 data breach, which IGT recently revealed. In November of that year, an unauthorized third party accessed its internal systems.
According to Rhode Island Current, the breach impacted 103,879 people worldwide, including 6,354 Rhode Island residents. Exposed information included name, date of birth, driver’s license number or state identification number, Social Security number, financial account information, and/or digital signature.
The company told The Current that it was not aware of any misuse of the information. It offered 24 months of complimentary credit monitoring, identity theft protection services, and dark web monitoring. It added that anyone affected will receive a written notification from the company.
For expansion supporters, the breach could spark a debate: that no operator is immune to failure, and that competition can provide resilience. If one operator falters, consumers and the state still have alternatives. Cybersecurity, once a background concern, may now emerge as a front-line argument for licensing multiple platforms.
