Rhode Island Sports Betting and iGaming Wagering Rises 3%
United States.- 3 November 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com Rhode Island’s regulated sports betting and online casino market recorded 3% year-on-year growth in combined wagering during September 2026.
The results reveal contrasting trends across the two segments. While iGaming continues expanding, sports betting recorded a decline in wagering volume compared with the same month last year.
However, both activities generated higher revenue, supported by online casino growth and improved sports betting margins.
Sports Betting Handle Reaches $36.1 Million
Rhode Island’s licensed sportsbooks handled approximately $36.1 million in wagers during September.
This represented a 7.2% year-on-year decline, compared with $38.9 million in September 2025.
Nevertheless, the market experienced a substantial recovery from August 2026, when sports betting handle totalled $25.9 million.
The month-on-month increase was approximately 39%, reflecting stronger wagering activity during September.
Online Betting Accounts for Most Wagers
Digital sports betting continued to account for the majority of monthly wagering.
The breakdown was:
- Online sports betting: $29.8 million.
- Retail sports betting: $6.3 million.
- Total handle: $36.1 million.
Digital transactions represented approximately 82.7% of sports betting activity.
Retail wagering took place through the state’s authorised facilities, including the casinos in Lincoln and Tiverton.
Sports Betting Revenue Increases 8.8%
Despite the year-on-year decline in sports betting handle, gross revenue increased.
Rhode Island’s sportsbooks generated approximately $3.1 million in September, compared with $2.85 million in the corresponding period of 2025.
This represented an 8.8% improvement.
The increase was supported by a stronger hold rate, which rose from 7.34% to 8.60%.
Consequently, operators generated more revenue despite accepting a lower overall volume of wagers.
iGaming Revenue Climbs 20.4%
The online casino segment maintained positive momentum during September.
iGaming revenue reached approximately $5.9 million, compared with $4.9 million a year earlier.
This represented 20.4% year-on-year growth.
The result enabled online casinos to generate considerably more revenue than sports betting operations.
The figures reinforce the importance of digital casino entertainment within Rhode Island’s regulated gambling market.
Online Casinos Generate Almost Twice Sports Revenue
Comparing the two segments highlights the differences in their financial performance.
During September 2026:
- iGaming revenue: $5.9 million.
- Sports betting revenue: $3.1 million.
- Combined revenue: approximately $9 million.
Online casinos generated almost twice as much revenue as sports betting.
These figures represent gross gaming revenue rather than the total amount wagered by customers.
The distinction is important when assessing the performance of each segment.
Rhode Island Maintains a Limited-Operator Market
Rhode Island’s sports betting market has operated through an exclusive online sportsbook arrangement involving Sportsbook Rhode Island.
The platform uses IGT technology and operates within the state’s authorised gambling structure.
However, authorities have begun progressing towards the introduction of a second online sports betting platform.
In May 2026, Bally’s Corporation received preliminary approval for an additional sportsbook arrangement, with a potential market opening from 26 November.
The development could introduce a new competitive structure within the state’s sports betting industry.
State Revenue from Sports Betting
Rhode Island operates a specific revenue-sharing arrangement for sports wagering.
Under the existing framework, the state receives 51% of sports betting revenue.
In September, this allocation generated approximately $1.58 million in public revenue.
The percentage represents a statutory revenue-sharing arrangement rather than a conventional tax rate.
This model is a distinctive characteristic of Rhode Island’s regulated sports betting market.
Market Outlook and Next Steps
September’s results highlight a market where iGaming growth is offsetting the year-on-year decline in sports betting handle.
At the same time, improved sportsbook margins enabled operators to generate higher revenue.
The potential arrival of a second online sports betting provider introduces another consideration for the market’s development over the coming months.
With combined wagering increasing by 3%, iGaming revenue reaching $5.9 million and sports betting generating $3.1 million, Rhode Island maintained positive overall momentum across its digital gambling industry during September 2026.
Upcoming financial reports will provide further insight into whether these trends continue and how regulatory developments affect the market.
Edited by: @fonta
