With a new online iGaming service in Rhode Island, a temporary shutdown of sports betting and a new casino planned in Chicago, Bally’s Corp. is working hard to elevate the customer experience.
Rhode Island’s governor Daniel McKee signed Senate Bill 948 into law last week that will launch an online casino in the state, owned and operated by Bally’s Corp. The bill authorizes the online casino to start operations on March 1.
Rhode Island currently has two commercial land-based casinos operating in the state under the authority of the state’s lottery. The state also offers retail sports betting at the casinos and online sports wagering. But Bally’s feels they need to make some big improvements in their online interactive division.
Service Interruption Planned
On June 20, Bally’s issued an email to Bally’s Bet customers announcing a sportsbook service interruption was planned.
The company’s online sports betting service is managed by Bally’s Interactive, a portfolio of top disruptor brands in sports betting, iGaming, free-to-play gaming, and poker.
The division has had to make some tough but decisive steps in 2023.
As part of the company’s SEC filings in January, a letter by Bally’s CEO Lee Fenton announced there would be a 15% workforce reduction within Bally’s Interactive. Following the workforce reduction, Fenton himself resigned from the company at the end of March. Robeson Reeves, President – Interactive, was appointed the new CEO.
Bally’s is now taking steps to improve their Bally Bet app.
“Over the next few months, we will be working to elevate your betting experience and as of June 30, 2023, you will no longer be able to access Bally’s Bet,” the company said in an email.
As of June 22, Bally’s Bet stopped accepting any new bets or deposits, and customers were instructed to withdraw all funds from their accounts by June 30.
“We are grateful for your loyalty and look forward to unveiling our enhanced online sportsbook upon our return,” Bally’s said in their email. “Stay tuned for a thrilling betting experience.”
RI Online Casino
Bally’s and International Gaming Technology will now add iGaming in Rhode Island, a venture that could generate $130 million in additional gross gaming revenue annually at market maturity.
The idea of online casinos in the state met strong opposition from the state’s House of Representatives before the bill passed by a vote of 57 to 11.
“I find this a very concerning and, frankly disturbing way for our state to gain revenue,” said Rep. Teresa Tanzi in opposition to the iGaming bill. “This is not the way to do it.”
“There’s nothing to fear here,” Rep. Charlene Lima told House members before voting. “And I’ll tell you why we have this with Bally’s because we have the best deal in the books with Bally’s where we get 61% of the money. And guess what, that money goes to some great programs that a lot of you have fought for. So, I don’t understand what the concern is. I love doing business with a company that gives us a 61% return on our money. The highest in the country. You can’t get a better deal than that.”
In 2022, revenue from land-based casinos in Rhode Island, also run by Bally’s, was $688.2 million, up 15.8% from 2021. Casino tax revenue in 2022 was $345.6 million.
With 10,500 employees, Bally’s Casino operations include approximately 15,000 slot machines, 600 table games, and 5,300 hotel rooms. Upon completing the construction of a temporary casino facility in Chicago, Ill., and a land-based casino near the Nittany Mall in State College, Pa., Bally’s will own or manage 17 casinos across 11 states.
