Coming less than a year after two retail sportsbooks launched in the state, which sees Rhode Island as the only jurisdiction in New England to have legalised the activity, a significant spike was reported earlier in the year as the NFL’s Patriots successfully marched to Super Bowl glory.

Currently only permitting bets at the region’s two Twin River properties, Lincoln’s Twin River Casino and the Tiverton Casino Hotel, this green-light is to see sports betting added to the lottery run operation.

Earlier estimates place launch in November at the latest, with Rhode Island set to continue to receive 51 per cent of all winnings from the activity, which is amongst the highest rates in the country.

The measure is to see the creation of an app, that consumers could utilise to access the relevant offerings at Twin River, from within state parameters.

Individuals would be required to set up accounts in person at either property, after which they could place a wager from anywhere within the Ocean State, with geolocation technology to ascertain that users are physically within bounds.

Signing of the bill was widely expected, with, as reported by the Boston Herald, Raimondo’s proposed budget for the fiscal year that commences on July 1 containing a contingency of $30m from sports betting, including $3m in new revenue from the mobile activity.

Proposals were brought by Democratic senate president Dominick Ruggerio and Democratic house speaker Nicholas Mattiello, who were seeking added revenue coupled with more convenient sports betting.

Ruggerio said of the importance that the legislation proceeds: “The new in-person sportsbook that opened in November has been very popular, with lines sometimes stretching out the doors.

“It is an entertainment option that many Rhode Islanders enjoy, and visitors from outside the state are also flocking to our gaming facilities to place their wagers on sporting events.

“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.

“I can envision a group of friends from out-of-state spending an evening out in a local establishment, where they can both watch the game and place a wager.”

Mattiello added: “This revenue, along with the revenue we anticipate from an expansion to mobile gaming, is a tremendous benefit to the state.

“It’s an added benefit that we can capture revenue that would have otherwise gone to an illegal market. When you consider that up to 97 percent of sports wagering is done illegally, it makes good sense for the state to increase its revenue by providing an entertainment that can be done safely and legally.”

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The new multi-year agreement will see the MGM Resorts logo appear on the green monster at Fenway Park, which the company states is “the most iconic ballpark in Major League Baseball”.

In its role as an official sponsor, MGM is to receive visible messaging behind the home plate on, Red Sox radio and other team controlled media outlets as well as receiving exclusive access to one-of-a-kind fan experiences at the baseball park.

Furthermore, MGM Springfield, officially opened last year and located eighty miles west of the city of Boston, is to also host a series a promotional experiences throughout the year, in addition to becoming the new home of the Red Sox annual Baseball Winter Weekend event.

The weekend of action takes places each January, and encapsulates a town hall meeting with Red Sox leaders, autographs and photos with Red Sox players, and round-table discussions on a variety of baseball topics.

Jim Murren, MGM Resorts chairman and CEO, said of the new agreement: “We are excited to enter into this historic partnership with the Boston Red Sox. Combining the two iconic brands of the Red Sox and MGM Resorts will create a new one-of-a-kind fan experience, for baseball fans unique to not only New England and MGM Springfield, but the rest of the country.

“We look forward to continuing our work and partnerships in the world of professional sports, and building on our success as a worldwide entertainment leader.”

Sam Kennedy, Red Sox President and CEO, added: “This is such a natural partnership for our two brands. MGM has set the standard in the hospitality and entertainment industry and their recent expansion into the Commonwealth makes them a clear partner. We are thrilled to welcome them to the Red Sox family, and look forward to a long collaboration.”

MGM has also revealed a temporary transformation of its Leo the lion logo, which has become Leona the lioness to recognise Women’s History Month, celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women all over the world throughout the month of March.

The 2019 Women’s History Month theme is “Visionary Women: Champions of Peace & Nonviolence,” with it designed to honour “women who have led efforts to end war, violence, and injustice and pioneered the use of nonviolence to change society.”

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The Nevada-based resort casino company, “one of only two employee-owned casino companies in the United States,” is striving to develop its new entity into “a premier New England entertainment destination” for gaming, amusement and food and beverage.

Eureka is to begin improvements almost immediately, with the facility remaining open throughout, with transformation set to be undertaken across the entirety of Seabrook Greyhound Park.

During construction the casino, poker room, and simulcast/off-track betting areas are to maintain customary operating hours, with the first full phase of development set to be completed by August 2019.

“We are excited to bring the opportunity for employee ownership to this legacy business. We look forward to bringing our corporate culture, and our desire to meet and exceed the expectations of our guests and the communities we serve, to New Hampshire,” commented Greg Lee, chairman of Eureka Casino Resort.

Eureka earned a spot on Fortune Magazine‘s Top 100 Medium Workplaces in America during 2018, which it stresses is due to its “unique employee-ownership structure”.

Lee, alongside chief operating officer Andre Carrier, also have deep ties to the Granite State, with Seabrook, whose history for live racing, off- track betting, and charitable casino gaming stretches back to 1973, the latest addition to the company portfolio.

Carrier added: “It feels great to be home. Greg and I love the land and location of Seabrook Park, as well as the business opportunity. We think we are able to bring some new energy to race wagering, and our approach to business is really aligned with the charitable casino model in place in New Hampshire. We foresee doing a lot of good here while having a lot of fun.

“We will work hard to design and build a new facility that is welcoming and exciting to both first-time guests and the Park’s long-time valued customers.

“The Park has been a landmark in New Hampshire for nearly half a century, and we take our responsibility seriously to make it a vibrant business and destination for many years to come.”

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The first bets were placed by the Ocean State’s legislative leaders, Democratic senate president Dominick Ruggerio and Democratic house speaker Nicholas Mattiello, along with John Taylor, chairman of Twin River Worldwide Holdings.

The Sacramento Bee reported that around 50 people queued during ceremony, with many waiting to bet on Monday night football and on the Boston Celtics.

Twin River also expects to begin sports betting at its second Rhode Island casino, in Tiverton, in December.

Bets in Rhode Island must be placed in person, with Twin’s two venues the only locations where this is possible – for now. Rhode Island became the first New England state to legalise sports betting after PASPA was struck down earlier this year and is expected to widen the offer in due course, perhaps permitting bets at lottery outlets and sports bars.

The state of Rhode Island will take 51 per cent of the revenue from betting through taxation. The vendor keeps 32 per cent while the casino itself will get 17 per cent.

Any winnings from the bets placed by Ruggerio, Mattiello and Taylor were be donated to charity, with Twin River itself guaranteeing at least a $500 donation irrespective of the outcome.

Ruggerio chose a food bank as his beneficiary, while Mattiello selected an animal shelter. Taylor, who bet (successfully) on the Boston Celtics to beat the New Orleans Pelicans, picked the American Red Cross..

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Debuting SG’s fusion hybrid electronic game seats, the group’s Twin River Casino Hotel and recently opened Tiverton Casino Hotel have been boosted by a total of 66, receiving 48 and 18 each, respectively.

The first ever installation of the dealer assisted stadium gaming terminals onto Rhode Island’s casino floors, sees players enabled to play $5 stadium blackjack, roulette and baccarat all from one terminal, all of which connect to four live dealer podiums located at the front of the stadium arena.

George Papanier, president and chief executive officer at Twin River Management Group, addressed the new offering: “We are very excited to add Scientific Games’ fusion hybrid stadium gaming, to what we believe is one of the greatest gaming experiences in New England.

“These new terminals will allow our guests to play Stadium Blackjack, roulette and baccarat simultaneously without changing seats. This product also allows players to play at their own pace, with new limits and minimums.

“In the last five years, Twin River has expanded our table games offering, created new dining options, developed a poker room, and recently finalised the opening of our brand new 136 room hotel.

“Stadium gaming is simply our latest endeavour to enhance our guests’ time spent at Twin River, and provide them with an all-inclusive gaming experience each and every time they choose to play here.”

Connecting users with four live table games from the same terminal, fusion hybrid displays a touch-screen with four colour tabs allowing players to switch between, and view, live outcomes from each offering.

Furthermore, the hybrid gaming experience also allows individuals to wager concurrently on all games at once.

“We value our great partnership with Twin River Management Group, and are thrilled to be installing the first ever dealer-assisted table game product in Rhode Island at Twin River Casino Hotel,” said Tom O’Brien, senior vice president of Sales – America and Electronic Table Systems at Scientific Games. “We are very excited about this initial install, and look forward to expanding the number of Fusion Hybrid seats across other Twin River Management Group properties.”

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MGM Springfield, located just eighty miles west of the city of Boston, aims to combine the excitement of Las Vegas with the “ rich historical context” of its location.

Covering three city blocks in the heart of downtown, the new entity features a 125,000 square-foot casino floor complete with 2,550 slot machines, 120 gaming tables, a poker room and high-limit VIP gaming lounge.

Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts, explained: “Travellers seeking authentic, local experiences are rediscovering small cities across the US, that fuse small-town charm with the allure of big-city culture.

“With a 375-year legacy as a major crossroads of New England, Springfield is poised to join the likes of such hidden gems, with the development of MGM Springfield leading a fresh wave of rediscovery in The City of Firsts.”

Also encompassed within MGM Springfield is a seven-screen luxury regal cinema, ten lane bowling alley within TAP sports bar, a Topgolf swing suite; a serene spa, an expansive public art collection, A-list entertainment and an open-air plaza activated daily with live music, pop-up-art galleries, food trucks, events and much more.

Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker commented: “Our administration is excited to officially welcome MGM to Springfield, and we look forward to the new economic and job opportunities this project will help bring throughout the region.

“This project is a major investment in the workforce and economy of Western Massachusetts, and will also provide support to several important partnerships between education centres and community organisations.”

Two days of festivities celebrated the new resorts entry into the state, with Baker joined by a selection on industry guests including congressman Richard Neal, Gaming Commission chairman Stephen Crosby and Springfield mayor Domenic Sarno, who added: “I am proud and thankful of MGM’s nearly $1 billion belief, investment and partnership with our city. Here’s to continued success.”

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