DraftKings Pushing For Online Sports Betting In RI

Boston-based fantasy sports app DraftKings is sponsoring advertisements that encourage Rhode Island residents to support online sports betting in the state.

"Are you ready for mobile sports betting in Rhode Island? So are we!" reads the company's sponsored tweet. "But it won’t happen unless lawmakers hear from fans like you NOW."

The tweet includes a link to "DraftKings Grassroots," where a form allows Rhode Islanders to send a message to lawmakers by filling in their name, email and address.

The Rhode Island Senate passed a bill February 13 that would allow online sports betting within the state through an app run by Tiverton Casino Twin River.

"The new in-person sportsbook that opened in November has been very popular, with lines sometimes stretching out the doors," said Senate President Ruggerio (D-District 4, Providence, North Providence) after the bill was passed. "Expanding to mobile gaming would provide a convenient option for those wishing to enjoy this form of entertainment, and open up the economic benefits beyond the walls of Twin River."

If online sports betting is legalized, users would be required to make a profile in person at Twin River. Bets could then be placed anywhere in the state, using location technology monitoring to ensure that no bets could be placed from outside the state.

DraftKings opposes the requirement, saying on their website that "in-person registration would result in Rhode Island losing out on millions of dollars of tax revenue and would allow the illegal offshore betting market to continue because it would create an unnecessary barrier for fans who want to bet legally."

Are you ready for mobile sports betting in Rhode Island? So are we! But it won’t happen unless lawmakers hear from fans like you NOW.
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) March" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/DraftKings... 1, 2019

The company continued that legalizing sports betting would "revolutionize" how sports are enjoyed around the state.

"Just like ride sharing apps revolutionized the way in which people get around, mobile sports betting will revolutionize how fans enjoy the games they love," the site reads. "People in states like New Jersey are already enjoying innovative features like Live/In-Game bets, Cross-Sport Parlays, Futures, Prop Bets and more."

An online sports betting bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Speaker Nicholas Mattiello (D-District 15, Cranston).

READ MORE: RI Senate Passes Mobile Sports Betting Bill