Rhode Island is ready for sports betting

After legalising the segment, Governor Gina Raimondo signed a budget including sports betting as the state is ready to expand gambling.

US.- The Supreme Court of the United States struck the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) and allowed states to legalise sports betting all across the country. Rhode Island was one of the first states to pass its own regulation bill for the segment and is ready to take it on, as Governor Gina Raimondo signed a US$9.6 billion budget for the 2019 fiscal year that included sports gambling.

“Sports wagering provides the state with a revenue stream that supports critical priorities, such as investing in roads and schools without increasing the tax burden on citizens,” state Senate president Dominick J. Ruggerio said and added: “Rhode Island taxpayers will be receiving the highest percentage of revenue in the nation from sports wagering.

Sports betting will be allowed at two Twin River-owned casinos (in Tiverton and Lincoln) and technology will be provided by International Game Technology PLC. Meanwhile, online and mobile alternatives will remain banned, at least for now.

Regarding security, chief of information and public relations for the Rhode Island Department of revenue Paul Grimaldi said: “Not necessarily what the agent will take bets on, but how do we make sure that the people betting should be betting, and how do we make sure that we are watchful for scams – for lack of a better term – or fraudulent betting?”

“Which is why one of the reasons for us that making (betting) in-person is helpful. Because we know how to monitor that. We’re already monitoring two casinos and have been for some time. So there’s a new world of potential fraud out there and this will give our security personnel time to learn and adapt and create the correct firewalls,” he told news outlet NESN.com.