The smallest state in New England wants a large piece of the sports betting pie, and Rhode Island Sports Betting has taken the first necessary steps to secure a potentially massive payday. Following the United State Supreme Court’s decision to overturn a 1992 federal law that barred sports betting in most places, the Ocean State became the first state in New England to legalize sports wagering. Gov. Gina Raimondo on June 22 signed a $9.6 billion budget for the 2019 fiscal year that included sports gambling.

The budget, which went into effect July 1, Sports Betting gives the state 51 percent of the revenue from sports betting. "Sports wagering provides the state with a revenue stream that supports critical priorities, such as investing in roads and schools, without increasing the tax burden on citizens," state Senate president Dominick J.