The state of Rhode Island's officials have confirmed that they will be beginning regulated sports betting market operations later this year. It was a busy summer for The Ocean State's Senate and their Governor who approved the sports betting bill after the final confirmation by the Finance Committee...
...it was recently announced that Rhode Island Lottery has selected the two companies who will be in charge of and responsible for providing the sports betting services at two casinos: William Hill and IGT.
Back in May, IGT, who is one of the leading iGaming companies and providers of products and services, submitted a bid to be the provider of a sportsbook in Rhode Island, as back then, soon after PASPA has been lifted by the Senate, it was clear that this state would go down the route of sports betting legalization as well.
Joining them in this venture will be the world-famous betting group, the giant that is William Hill, whose accomplishments are too numerous to be listed here. Recently, the British company expanded its sports betting reach by entering the states of Mississippi and West Virginia.
Earlier in August, there were rumors that William Hill was plotting a partnership with IGT to take over the sports betting scene in Rhose Island, which has now been confirmed...
...William Hill and IGT will be taking over the sports wagering services at Twin River Casino and Tiverton Casino which are the sole Rhode Island casinos that are licensed for video lottery and table games.
It is widely regarded that sports betting should take off in these two casinos in November. New Jersey, Delaware and Mississippi were the first states to act quickly and make it legal, some of them have even began with operations.
Rhode Island Lottery and IGT/William Hill cooperation has been signed for five years from the moment the first sports wager is placed, with the option of two five-year term extensions.
Rhode Island Lottery's director, Gerald Aubin, stated: “It's an exciting time for the Rhode Island Lottery. With the introduction of legalised sports betting, we will leverage world-class resources and technology from IGT and William Hill to provide the best-possible sports betting experience for the patrons who visit our casinos.”
IGT North America's CEO, Renato Ascoli, also commented…
“IGT is a leading and proven supplier of sports betting technology in the US. The combination with William Hill, a leading sports betting operator in the US, uniquely positions us to provide the Rhode Island Lottery with a comprehensive, market-ready solution to maximise sports betting revenues and returns to good causes for the state of Rhode Island."
Source:
"IGT and William Hill secure Rhode Island sports betting contract", igamingbusiness.com, August 28, 2018.