Mobile wagering also had a solid showing in July with a handle of $4.4m, up 109.5% from June’s $2.1m, according to reports from the Rhode Island Lottery. While mobile sports betting wasn’t available in the State in July 2019, the July 2020 mobile handle accounted for 65.4% of the total sports handle for the month.

Governor Gina Raimondo signed legislation to lift compulsory in-person registration on 22 July, with those wanting to place sports bets now being able to do so from any location within the State. Rhode Island saw its gaming revenue dry up due to COVID-19, prompting legislators to approve two bills that eliminated the provision.

Despite Rhode Island’s July performance, Twin River Worldwide Holdings, which owns the state’s two casinos – Twin River Casino Hotel and Tiverton Casino Hotel – could lay off more than 1,300 furloughed employees at the end of September, according to published reports.