PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The first NFL Sunday of the season turned frustrating for Rhode Island sports fans after the state’s only legal sportsbook app went down just before kickoff.
Sportsbook Rhode Island, operated by IGT and Bally’s through a 20-year exclusive contract with the state lottery, froze and crashed for users across the state on Sunday afternoon. Bettors reported being unable to log in or place wagers as the 1 p.m. games kicked off.
Unlike neighboring Massachusetts, where several national operators compete for customers, Rhode Island’s system allows only a single platform. With no alternatives, residents were effectively locked out of betting during one of the busiest sports days of the year.
Some fans joked about driving over the border to use DraftKings or FanDuel in Massachusetts, while others simply gave up. Bars and living rooms across the state echoed the same complaints: there was no way to get a bet in.
The outage reignites debate over Rhode Island’s sports betting structure. Earlier this year, a Senate bill to expand the market and allow multiple operators advanced but stalled in the House. Supporters of the measure argued that competition would prevent situations like Sunday’s, where one app’s failure shut down the entire market.
Service was restored later in the afternoon, but by then many fans had missed their chance to wager on the early slate of games. For Rhode Island, it was a stark reminder of the risks that come with a monopoly in one of the state’s fastest-growing industries.
ContributorSeptember 7, 20251 Mins read167 
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