{"id":10896,"date":"2020-07-20T15:30:56","date_gmt":"2020-07-20T15:30:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legitgambling.com\/news\/?p=10896"},"modified":"2020-07-20T08:32:17","modified_gmt":"2020-07-20T08:32:17","slug":"rhode-island-moves-closer-to-remote-mobile-sports-betting-registration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legitgambling.com\/news\/rhode-island-moves-closer-to-remote-mobile-sports-betting-registration\/","title":{"rendered":"RI Moves Closer To Remote Mobile Sports Betting Registration"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"RhodeRhode Island\u2019s initiative to enact remote registration for sports bets has entered the home stretch, after state lawmakers passed both HB 8097<\/a> and SB 2919<\/a> last week. The bills have now been forwarded to Gov. Gina Raimondo<\/strong>\u2019s office, where they will become laws once she signs them.<\/p>\n

Remote registration allows the state\u2019s punters to create a mobile sports betting account without having to make an in-person appearance at one of Twin River\u2019s two local casinos.<\/p>\n

Allowing local residents to register remotely should reduce the barrier of entry into Rhode Island\u2019s nascent sports betting industry. According to Rep. Marvin Abney<\/strong>, the sponsor of HB 8097, around 14,000 residents have not completed their registration due to the in-person requirement. Abney expects that remote registration will incentivize many of these people to complete their accounts.<\/p>\n

Rhode Island\u2019s mobile sports betting industry<\/a> launched in September 2019, using IGT technology and operated by William Hill<\/a>. Local authorities discovered that the state was losing out on a significant number of players due to the in-person registration requirement, which spurred an initiative for remote registration.<\/p>\n

While the initiative could prove to be a major boon to the state\u2019s growing gambling industry, some quarters have registered their concerns regarding the proposed change.<\/p>\n

Legislators Worry on Legality of Remote Registration<\/h2>\n

A number of state legislators are worried that sports bets that allow remote registration may run into legal hurdles in the future. Sen. Samuel Bell<\/strong> noted that the bill could be construed as expanding gambling within the state, which he said would necessitate voter approval.<\/p>\n

According to Rep. Blake Filippi<\/strong>, House Minority Leader, sports betting bills were passed last year with the understanding that in-person registration would be required.<\/p>\n

Rhode Island House Republicans<\/strong><\/p>\n

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