Rhode Island Senate Raise Questions On Mobile Sports Betting Bill

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Rhode Island Senate approved bill 0037A by a dominant vote of 31 to 4 on Wednesday, which would permit mobile sports betting in Rhode Island.

The bill was introduced by Senate President Dominick Ruggerio (D-North Providence) and its details include a bid process to develop a mobile betting app that could be accessed by gamblers all over Rhode Island.

Ruggerio believes that if everything falls into place, the state could have its platform up-and-running by October.

Players would have to sign up in person at one of the Twin River Casinos but would be given the ability to wager on professional and collegiate games – with the exception of Rhode Island collegiate athletic programs. State laws prevent any action being taken on these contests, whether playing inside the state or not.

The next obstacle SB 0037A must achieve is passing through the House.

House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello has written his own bill expanding sports betting and everything seems to be in line for a successful vote of approval.

If and when the House approve the measure, it is left up to Governor Gina Raimondo to sign off on the final approval.

Everything still looks positive as Gov. Raimondo has already included mobile betting revenue into her proposed 2019-2020 budget.

However, a debate on the Senate floor left some questions up in the air – one’s that may need to be addressed in the House discussion.

Senator Sam Bell (D-Providence) insisted on not allowing the Twin River Casinos to host the platforms’ servers. Bell wants to see an open bidding process where a competitive market can determine who operates the proposed betting app.

“We would be giving a monopoly on online sports gambling to an existing business,” Bell said.

The existing business is the two Twin River Casinos, which are owned and operated by the state.

Senator Donna Nesselbush (D-Pawtucket) voted in favor of the bill but also brought forth questions on the floor debate.

She made the point that Rhode Island’s state constitution requires a voter referendum when attempting to permit a gambling expansion.

“Someday it wouldn’t surprise me if the Supreme Court weighs in on it,” Nesselbush said.

Ruggerio went on to explain that adding different methods of wagering doesn’t expand sports betting in the state.

This caused Bell to chime back in, stating “What’s the harm in asking the voters? What’s the harm in protecting ourselves from a lawsuit?”

The House certainly took notice of the debate and the bill may see a tougher time passing through this branch.

Either way, the state gambling industry grew from only operating a lottery to adding a few slots machines to adding a full-service sports betting platform – all in five years. With the rapid advancement of gambling in the state, there would be no surprise if mobile betting was the next feature added.

The Rhode Island House of Representatives next meet on Tuesday, February 26, 2019; however, SB 0037A is not listed on their floor calendar.