Key Moments:
- Rhode Island authorities have investigated unlicensed online gambling platforms and issued cease-and-desist orders to six offshore operators.
- The state is evaluating a possible shift away from its single-operator sports betting model, with eight major companies responding to a recent Request for Information.
- Rhode Island’s enforcement actions are part of a larger trend as states across the U.S. target illegal gambling operators to protect consumers and regulated markets.
Crackdown on Offshore Operators
Rhode Island has undertaken a series of enforcement measures targeting unlicensed online gambling. Investigations and cease-and-desist letters have focused on offshore sportsbooks, with prominent platforms such as BetUS, BetOnline, Bovada, MyBookie, WildCasino, and YouWager receiving official warnings. Attorney General Peter Neronha moved to begin an investigation at the request of the state’s Department of Revenue. Earlier this summer, the Rhode Island Lottery, part of that department, delivered six notices instructing offshore operators to cease activity within the state.
Market Exclusivity Under Review
The state’s strict approach comes as officials discuss opening up sports betting to increased competition. At present, International Game Technology (IGT) holds exclusive rights in Rhode Island, operating the Sportsbook RI app through a partnership with the lottery. Regulatory bodies have started exploring changes, and a Request for Information (RFI) issued earlier this year drew responses from eight large operators — Bally’s, BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, IGT, Kambi, and OpenBet — by the August 22 deadline.
Bally’s, headquartered locally in Providence and already the operator of two in-state casinos, began offering online casino gaming in 2024. A bill that would end IGT’s exclusive contract passed 30–3 in the Senate but has not advanced in the House. These moves come after a Spectrum Gaming Group study recommending a minimum of three competing operators to encourage growth and boost state revenue.
Senator Frank Ciccone, the bill’s sponsor, stated: “With legalized sports betting flourishing across the country, there is ample evidence on how this new industry works best for consumers and the state. Having only one company exclusively operate is not in the best interests of consumers or from a revenue-generating standpoint.”
National Trends in Enforcement
Rhode Island’s recent actions form part of broader efforts in the United States to counteract unlicensed gambling. State regulators throughout the country have issued numerous cease-and-desist letters to offshore operators and unregulated sweepstakes platforms. Michigan’s Gaming Control Board, for example, has sent over 100 warnings to illegal entities. Executive Director Henry Williams commented: “Shutting down these unlicensed platforms is critical not only to maintaining the integrity of Michigan’s regulated gaming industry — it also helps to protect residents from predatory practices and unreliable gambling experiences.”
Other states, such as California and Louisiana, have also responded, with bans and further enforcement against these types of operators. In Louisiana, authorities have dispatched 40 cease-and-desist letters following a recently vetoed bill that aimed to formalize their enforcement capabilities.
Overview of Enforcement and Market Reform
Rhode Island’s simultaneous moves to expand its market and curb offshore gambling reflect a commitment to safe, legal, and transparent operations. The state’s initiatives aim to ensure that future betting activity remains fully regulated and in compliance with the law.
| Operator | Regulatory Status in Rhode Island |
|---|---|
| BetUS | Cease-and-desist issued |
| BetOnline | Cease-and-desist issued |
| Bovada | Cease-and-desist issued |
| MyBookie | Cease-and-desist issued |
| WildCasino | Cease-and-desist issued |
| YouWager | Cease-and-desist issued |
- Author
Daniel Williams
