The Rhode Island Lottery has decided to renew its contract with International Game Technology (IGT) to run the only sports betting app that is allowed in the state.
The deal between IGT and Rhode Island was set to expire in November. Now the two will be partnered for another three years. Since they have been together, the state has seen $71 million.
“The state has a valued and dependable partner in IGT,” Lottery Director Mark Furcolo said in a release. “Now that most New England states have sports betting operational, the extension affords the Lottery the time necessary to conduct a regional market assessment and economic analysis of the current sports betting operating model.”
IGT has been the operator for the sportsbook in Rhode Island since the state launched sports betting in 2019. They have a separate partnership with William Hill.
The gambling technology and slot machine company, which is based in Las Vegas, did some improvements to the app and that was partially the reason they got an extension.
“IGT recently invested significant resources to enhance our sports betting platform and mobile app,” said Furcolo. “These upgrades will enable us to maximize revenue and offer a solution that remains competitive among neighboring states in this dynamic, regional sports betting market.”
Though IGT has had a virtual monopoly on wagering in the state, that might be changing. In a press release announcing the extension, the lottery said they will be exploring the possibility of more operators after November 2026.
“(The lottery) will conduct “regional market assessment to ensure the state’s retail and mobile sports betting products are effectively generating revenue and to assess the effectiveness of the current sports betting operating model,” the Lottery said in a news release.
“The state has a valued and dependable partner in IGT,” Furcolo said. “Now that most New England states have sports betting operational, the extension affords the Lottery the time necessary to conduct a regional market assessment and economic analysis of the current sports betting operating model.”
