Rhode Island is within days of launching a mobile sports book app that will take wagers anywhere in the Ocean State.
Rhode Island Lottery Director Gerald Aubin told lawmakers last week, “An exact time-frame or date by which mobile sports wagering will begin is uncertain. The hope is to have the mobile sports wagering begin on or before the National Football League season begins on September 5, 2019; but that date is subject to change based on testing results.”
Rhode Island unveiled in-person sports betting at its two Twin River casinos the day after Thanksgiving last year. It takes wagers on college and professional sporting events. It is currently the only state in New England taking sports bets.
Meanwhile the Lottery is trying to block an effort by Rhode Island Republicans to challenge the constitutionality of the sports-betting program. The GOP led challenge by Daniel Harrop contends that the constitution requires a vote of the people to add sports book. He filed his lawsuit in May.
Attorneys for Twin River Casino and the Lottery August 5 filed a motion to dismiss the suit, claiming that Harrop isn’t hurt by sports betting and lacks standing to sue.
Senate President Dominick Ruggerio contends that the voters approved of sports betting when they approved of casino gaming.
The town of Tiverton, where one of the state’s two casinos is hosted, has requested that the judge in the casino issue a quick ruling on the issue. Lincoln, the host-town of the other Twin River casino, has chosen to sit out this trial. Each town is paid $100,000 each year from sports betting, plus other casino revenue.
The state collects 51 percent of the profits after expenses are subtracted, which thus far has been $7 million.
