As more and more states in New England ramp up their gambling markets, Rhode Island is seeking to get a larger chunk of the action as it recently unveiled its state-wide online sports betting app.
The Sportsbook Rhode Island mobile app allows gamblers to place their bets from anywhere in the Rhode Island territory, via their mobile phone or computer, but grants access to players only after they visit Twin River Casino in Lincoln to personally authenticate and activate their account.
For security reasons, the bettors are required to present a valid photo ID to initiate their mobile account.
The sportsbook app went live last week as Twin River employees began activating the accounts of players who had already downloaded the software on their mobile devices. The innovative online system was developed by London-based lottery technology contractor International Game Technology.
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Rhode Island Lottery spokesman Paul Grimaldi lauded the occasion as a monumental milestone for gambling in the territory and said they are optimistic that a significant number of New England gamblers will patronise their products and services.
With the legalization of sports betting, the state is poised to rake in 51% of what gamblers lose on sports wagers. The emerging industry is also expected to take in at least $22.7 million in earnings from now till June 30, 2020. For the fiscal 2020-2021, sports betting is estimated to generate at least $26.3 million for the state, with $20.7 million from online wagers alone.
Rhode Island suffered a 34 percent drop in table-game earnings in July, attributed largely to the emergence of the new Encore Boston Harbor casino in Everett, Massachusetts which opened its doors to the public earlier this year. With the launch of the Sportsbook Rhode Island mobile app, the state hopes to recover some of its casino losses.
Grimaldi revealed that gamblers will soon also be allowed to activate their online accounts at Tiverton’s Twin River Casino, less than a mile from the Massachusetts boundary. Tiverton’s strategic location and proximity to the Bay State have proven to be a hurdle to the Rhode Island app’s “geo-fencing” system, which is used to prevent sports bettors from wagering outside the state.
The lottery spokesperson stated that players within 200 meters of the state border are likely to experience similar problems. Additional equipment is being brought in to resolve the “geo-fencing” issue, and ensure gamblers will be able to place bets with ease as long as they are in the Rhode Island territory.
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