Tiverton casino starts taking sports bets

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Tiverton casino starts taking sports bets

TIVERTON, R.I. (WPRI) — Legal sports betting has expanded in Rhode Island despite still being in its infancy.

A small crowd gathered Monday afternoon  to place the first wagers at Tiverton Casino Hotel, exactly one week after the first bets were placed at its sister casino - Twin River in Lincoln.

“I’ve been waiting 37 years for sports betting to be legalized," said Al Kolonovich of Taunton, who was first in line.

"It’s small - much smaller than out in Las Vegas - but so far, so good,” he added.

Twin River is the first casino in New England to accept sports gambling since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a 1992 law prohibiting the practice back in May. 

The ceremonial first bets were cast on Nov. 26 by House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and Twin River Chairman John Taylor.

The revenue from sports betting was included in this fiscal year's budget, with the state receiving 51 percent of the take. With an initial start date pegged for Oct. 1, the revenue for the state was estimated at $23.5 million, but that figure has since been lowered to $11.5 million as a result of the nearly two-month delay.

At Twin River's Lincoln location, players can place wagers in the casino's horse-racing area on the third floor. The casino plans to open a new sports betting lounge in mid-December.

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