Rhode Island Passes Bill To Allow Eye Gaming
Legislation introduced by Senate President Donick J. Lugerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence) and Senator Gregory J. Costantino (44, Lincoln, Smithfield, and Johnston) to provide a new means of accessing existing table game services in the Bali Twin River Lincoln became law.
The Act (2023-S0948B, 2023-H6348A) allows Rhode Islanders over the age of 21 to access their existing table games remotely via a computer or mobile app. Players must be located within the state of Rhode Island.
"The bill provides additional convenience for Rhode Islanders who want to play the existing table games on Twin Rivers via mobile devices," said President Ruggerio. "It helps ensure the continued strength of state facilities in the competitive local gaming market, thereby protecting critical revenue streams that provide funding for critical state programs and investments."
To address concerns raised during the committee hearing about Bally's initial proposal, the revised bill requires live dealers to be deployed. A similar approach is being taken in many places across the country, including New Jersey, which requires betting in Atlantic City under the law. As with TV studios, small casinos are built, and games are broadcast simultaneously to people playing through mobile devices.
"The time has come for us to take this step and compete with our neighbors," Costantino said. "We have been able to revise the original plan to limit online table games to users aged 21 and over, and Bali is also happy to agree to provide additional resources to educate young people about problem games."
All revenue-sharing ratios remain the same as the existing revenue-sharing ratios.
"This is a focused version of iGaming that is ready for passage and execution," said Ruggerio. "This iGaming Bill is suitable for constitutional, mature users, contains training provisions for problem gamblers, and maintains the revenue-sharing ratio as it is."