International Game Technology (IGT) and William Hill have overhauled their digital sports betting product Sportsbook Rhode Island, with a enhanced versions of the mobile app and website now live for customers.
The new app and site offer a more streamlined experience, including an expanded wagering menu and the option to fund customer accounts with debit cards. Previously account payments could only be made using eChecks.
A new app interface, powered by IGT’s PlaySports technology, has improved the navigation design for live and upcoming sporting events and a more efficient wagering process that speeds up the process from selecting to placing bets.
“Recent IGT PlaySports technology updates for the Rhode Island Lottery provide Sportsbook Rhode Island users an elevated player experience,” IGT PlayDigital senior vice president Enrico Drago explained. “These updates also position the Rhode Island Lottery for success when professional sports return in full force.”
The range of betting markets has also been expanded, with more futures and prop bet options now available for popular sporting events, with William Hill adding additional sports to mitigate the postponement of the world’s most popular sporting events.
It now offers odds on competitions such as Russian table tennis, Taiwanese basketball, as well as top-level soccer from Belarus and Nicaragua.
“We are excited to continue to innovate with the Rhode Island Lottery and IGT,” William Hill US’ president of digital Ken Fuchs said. “We are adding alternative sports and additional prop bets to our wagering menu now and look forward to supporting Rhode Island even more when sports return to the US.”
William Hill and IGT paired up to deliver the Rhode Island Lottery’s retail sportsbook in November 2018, launching at the state’s Twin River Casinos in Lincoln and Tiverton. After Governor Gina Raimondo signed legislation to legalize mobile betting in March 2019, the state’s digital offering went live in September that year.
Late in March the Rhode Island Lottery reported revenue of £2.3m for February, representing a significant improvement on the $890,623 loss posted in the prior year. However the monthly total was also down 30.3% from January 2020, when the land-based and digital offerings generated revenue of $3.3m.
While mobile stakes were up 9.0% to $8.5m, revenue for the channel fell 47.3% month-over-month to $407,050, its lowest total since the offering launched.