(Twitter via @casinocityGT)

They’re Off: Rhode Island Becomes First New England State to Take Legal Sports Bets

Five months after legalizing sports betting and nearly 60 days after the projected opening date, a group of lawmakers and a corporate executive placed the ceremonial first sports bet at Rhode Island’s Twin River Sportsbook on Monday. In so doing, Rhode Island became the sixth non-Nevada state post-PASPA to open up for legal sports betting, and the first in New England.

Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, House Speaker Nicholas Matiello and Twin River Worldwide Holdings Chairman John Taylor Jr. placed the first bets after making remarks.

The sportsbook officially opened at 3 p.m. local time with an opening ceremony — in time for Monday Night Football. Rhode Island has only two casinos, Twin River and Tiverton, both owned by the same company. The Tiverton sportsbook is scheduled to open in December.

Rhode Island Becomes First in New England to Offer Sports Betting as Twin River Casino Hotel Opens Sportsbook

Senate President Dominic Ruggerio at @twinrivercasino sportsbook opening in Rhode Island says, “I’ve been waiting 40 years for this day … Let’s get it on.” #sportsbetting pic.twitter.com/5aE8TYdJSy

— Gary Trask (@casinocityGT) November 26, 2018

“Long-term, sports gaming is a sure bet for the state,” Ruggerio said. “The new revenue stream offsets reliance on taxes while supporting essential state services, like education and fixing roads and bridges. … I love the social environment of the sports bar setting, and the energy it creates. Rhode Island is first to market in this region and we’re doing it right.”

According to the Providence Journal, the Twin River sportsbook is currently located on the casino’s third floor, where simulcast horse and dog races can already be viewed. The area has theater-style seating, including an old grandstand that looks out on the old greyhound track outside. Bettors have individual monitors on which they can watch games, as well as a view of the outdoor tote board.

Twin River expects to open its 3,600-square-foot sports betting “social” space in December. The new space, which will feature tables and chairs rather than stadium-style seating, appears to be modeled after a sports bar. The location is in the casino’s Wicked Good Bar & Grill, and will accommodate about 200 people.

Phase II of the #sportsbetting operation @twinrivercasino is under construction and, as seen in these renderings, will serve as a more traditional sportsbook setting, checking in at 3,600 square feet with 100 TVs and dedicated food and beverage. Slated to open in mid-December. pic.twitter.com/ET51pQRaFh

— Gary Trask (@casinocityGT) November 26, 2018

Both the Twin River and Tiverton sportsbooks will be run by William Hill and IGT, the state lottery’s two approved vendors. William Hill will handle risk-management and IGT will provide the sports wagering platform technology. The initial contract for services is five years, with a renewal option.

Patrons will be able to place bets on the NFL, Major League Baseball, NBA, NHL and collegiate events that don’t involve Rhode Island teams. However under current regulations, sports wagering is not permitted via mobile apps off-premises from the two casino locations.

Rhode Island Sports Betting Rollout Delay Could Cost State $12 Million, But State Has Monopoly for Now

We are less than 30 minutes away from legalized sports betting in New England as @twinrivercasino in Rhode Island prepares to accept its first bets at 3 p.m. ET. pic.twitter.com/Oyup2iUHSa

— Gary Trask (@casinocityGT) November 26, 2018

Rhode Island is the first mover in New England, where the closest legal sports betting is in either New Jersey or Pennsylvania. Though Connecticut and Massachusetts lawmakers have opened the sports betting conversation, neither state passed any legislation in 2018 and there have not been any bills pre-filed for the 2019 session in either state.

When recently re-elected Governor Gina Raimondo signed into law the bill that included sports betting, her fiscal 2019 budget included a $23.5 million line item for sports betting revenue. But the state, which levies a nation-high 51 percent tax on net sports betting revenue, will have to back off that number.

According to a November report, Rhode Island lost about $12 million in potential sports betting revenue due to a nearly two-month delay opening. The delay was caused by extended negotiations between the state and its sports betting vendors as well as testing.

“We’re a little later than our initial target date,” Ruggerio said. “But I also believe that the initial projections were very conservative. With more than seven months to go in the fiscal year, we may still ‘cover the spread.'”