While Rhode Island’s sportsbooks established new records across the board during November 2019, the consensus of opinion suggests that they could perform even better if the state’s mobile betting regulations were more liberal.
The latest figures published by the state’s lottery showed handle at Twin River of $18.905,965 for November versus $18,359,176 in October, with revenue of $1,856,783 against $1,664,843. Tiverton took $4,205,668 in November handle compared to $4,059,245 in October, while revenue earned was $404,571 versus $349,607.
Online also showed growth, with November handle of $8,353,409 compared to $5,862,603 in October. Revenue was ahead from $349,607 in October to $404,571 in November. All figures combined show that Rhode Island’s two casinos generated $31,465,062 in November handle compared with $28,281,024 in October. Revenue was $2,745,518 against $2,457,518.
The figures will make for encouraging reading for Rhode Island’s policy makers, and with just one set of results for December waiting to be filed, the state looks set for a strong finish to 2019. But the question remains, could it be making more from online?
According to analysis from TobBets.com, there is a case to answer, with the suggestion that Rhode Island’s compulsory in-person registration requirement could be limiting the state’s potential to generate “much larger numbers”.
It noted: “According to a recent report by CBS affiliate WPRI in Providence, over 17,000 people had registered for online betting as of December 2, but less than half of those people had physically visited one of the two Rhode Island casinos to activate their accounts.
“That same report suggests Twin River will soon launch an initiative to help encourage bettors to activate those unused online accounts. But with more nearby states likely set to launch their own sports betting programs over the coming months – including New Hampshire, which launched its own mobile betting app that doesn’t require a clunky and disruptive in-person registration process – it probably behooves Rhode Island lawmakers to revisit the topic altogether.”
Furthermore, the report shows that out of 7,834 members to have activated their mobile sports betting accounts, only 6,425 users have actually put money into them. With a population of just over one million residents, clearly there is a significant amount of work to be done if Rhode Island is to maximize the appeal of sports betting in the way that its near neighbor New Jersey has managed to achieve.
