Rhode Island Lottery sends C&D orders to six unlicensed sites
The Rhode Island Lottery is adding to the growing list of U.S. gaming regulators taking steps to prevent the proliferation of unlicensed gaming sites.
The Rhode Island State Police is investigating unlicensed gambling sites that are accepting customers in the state following a request from the Rhode Island Department of Revenue, according to reporting from the Providence Journal. The department provides oversight for the Rhode Island Lottery and initiated the probe after the gaming regulator sent cease and desist orders to six sites.
“Based on the information collected by the [State Police Gambling Enforcement Unit,] several companies were identified as engaging in the business of operating unauthorized and unlicensed casino gaming products in the state,” said Rhode Island Revenue Director Thomas Verdi. “These identified gambling companies continue to operate in this jurisdiction, offering and allowing gambling activity to players in Rhode Island despite the cease and desist notices.”
The unlicensed sites that received cease and desist orders from the state lottery were:
- BetOnline
- BetUS
- Bovada
- MyBookie
- WildCasino
- YouWager
Rhode Island’s gaming market
The Rhode Island Lottery is taking regulatory action against the six sites with the state being home to one exclusive online sports betting operator. Rhode Island offers online sports wagering through Sportsbook Rhode Island, a platform operated by IGT with licensing from the state lottery. IGT is also the state’s exclusive supplier of retail and online lottery and video lottery services, signing a 20-year deal with the state lottery in 2022.
Rhode Island lawmakers considered establishing the state as an open market with the introduction of Senate Bill 748 but it failed to progress in the House after passing in the Senate. The measure proposed requiring Rhode Island to host at least five sportsbooks.
Rhode Island is also the latest state to launch online casino gaming, becoming the seventh jurisdiction in America to authorize iGaming. Rhode Island became a regulated online casino market in 2024 with Bally’s Corporation as the state’s exclusive iGaming provider.
Bally’s acquired exclusive rights to operate in Rhode Island through its Twin River and Twin River-Tiverton properties after Gov. Daniel McKee signed Senate Bill 948 into law. The piece of legislation also makes IGT an official vendor of Bally’s.
Unlicensed gaming sites familiar with C&D orders
Some of the unlicensed gambling sites that received cease and desist orders from the Rhode Island Lottery are also facing regulatory scrutiny in other U.S. markets.
Earlier this year, BetOnline received cease and desist letters from the Michigan Gaming Control Board and the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council. BetOnline was asked to exit Tennessee after the gaming regulator levied fines against MyBookie and Bovada.
In April, MyBookie was asked to shutter operations in Arizona by the state’s Department of Gaming, MyBookie was also told to exit the Grand Canyon State with BetUS and MyBookie.
Bovada received a cease and desist letter from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board in 2024 and also received both electronic and mail cease and desist orders in Mississippi.
Most recently, the Washington State Gambling Commission sent Bovada a cease and desist order last month after sending an initial cease and desist letter in January.
Florida regulators also took enforcement action against BetUS, Bovada and MyBookie.
SBC Americas reached out to the Rhode Island Lottery and the Rhode Island State Police for comment on the investigation and will update this story if responses are received.
https://sbcamericas.com/2025/10/16/rhode-island-cease-unlicensed-sites/