Rhode Island sports betting is at its biggest expansion boom, as another online betting bill was passed and this one will allow sports betting at state colleges and universities if they are in a tournament with four or more teams, just like the Massachusetts sports wagering plan.
Dumb Rule
We so often see states pass sports betting bills but insist on putting a caveat in the legislation that prohibits sportsbooks from including a college team located in the state on the betting menu. It’s a sanctimonious ploy by the do-gooders to be able to say to their constituents that they did it to protect the athletes.
And to that, many say, protect them from what, exactly? If they truly believe that the athletes will be extorted by some nefarious betting syndicate located within the state, then they should vote no on betting legislation altogether and be done with it.
After all, if the health, safety, and welfare of the athletes are legitimate concerns in a politician’s mind then why would they ever put the young residents they are sworn to protect at risk?
The answer is that there is no concern and everybody knows it. Nevertheless, despite it being such a transparent, cloying attempt at playing the white knight, many politicians believe that their constituency is so naive that it will score points down the road when the next election cycle returns.
Changes Coming
And such was the case in Rhode Island’s sports betting legislation, exempting local teams from being offered by the state’s sportsbooks.
However, they have finally realized that when these local entries are involved in a regular season or postseason tournament, such as March Madness, Rhode Islanders will travel north to Massachusetts and give the Baystate their money. As a matter of fact, they will also flee across state lines during ordinary regular season games but apparently, they’re taking baby steps.
Nothing gets the attention of politicians like a missed opportunity to make money and suddenly those bad actors that can compromise a local athlete will all be out of town when March Madness comes around. At least that’s the logic of the latest amendment to the sports betting bill that will allow in-state betting on college teams during tournament time. Only politics can be this asinine.
Securing In-State Revenue
Senate President Dominick Ruggeri said, “We want to keep those fans, and those dollars, here at home.” The bill was introduced by Senator Ruggerio in his chamber and Representative Jacquelyn Baginski in the House. The prohibition on wagering on collegiate athletes’ game statistics will be kept in place.
Representative Baginski stated, “The current model that sends Rhode Island’s sports bettors out of state to place their wagers frankly makes no sense, and this legislation will keep that betting revenue in the state where it belongs.”
Governor Dan McKee can now sign the bill into law which would keep the taxpayer money in the state. Rhode Island teams would then be on the buffet of sports betting opportunities whether the tournament is held in Rhode Island or somewhere else.
Perhaps the legislation will eventually understand that keeping the money wagered on in-state teams within Rhode Island’s borders makes sense whether it is during tournament time or the regular season. That seems painfully obvious to everyone except those who make the laws.
Calculators
