On Tuesday Twin River Casino launched its second brick and mortar sportsbook at its Tiverton location.
Friday’s announcement of the opening follows the launch of Rhode Island’s first Casino-based sports betting lounge by Twin River at its Lincoln Casino last month.
Unlike New Jersey where the eight Sportsbook operators all offer online sports betting along with land-based wagering via gaming lounges or betting windows at the Casinos or Racetracks to which they are affiliated, Rhode Island has not as yet legalized online sports betting following the Supreme Court’s decision in May to toss out the Paspa law that for two decades had prohibited sports betting in most US States, Nevada being one of the rare exceptions.
The law was unconstitutional, the Court decided, adding that it should be left to the individual states to determine whether or not sports betting is desirable.
In its first three or four months in New Jersey, online wagering has far outstripped in-house betting and the Rhode Island authorities, keen to find more revenue for education, have clearly noted this fact.
Senate President Dominick Ruggerio is hard at work preparing legislation that will enable Rhode Island citizen to make bets on their laptops and mobile phones early next year.
He is confident the bill the will be introduced when the Rhode Island legislative session starts again in January.