
Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio has backed a rapidly advancing bill that would double gambling-on-credit limits at two Bally’s casinos, according to a local report in The Providence Journal.
A representative for Ruggerio told local news that, "The bill was introduced at the request of Bally’s, to keep them on par with competition from casinos in Massachusetts.” If passed, the proposal would allow the credit limit to increase to $100,000.
However, some have questioned why this move is necessary and how Bally’s would be able to “probe the off-limits gambling habits of online gamblers or the patrons of the Tribal casinos across the border.”
During a recent meeting with the Senate Committee on Special Legislation, Bally's representative Elizabeth Suever further explained Bally’s intentions.
She commented, "Obviously we're not interested in extending lines of credit to those individuals who would not be able to pay it back."
A meeting is set for later this week to consider the House’s version of the bill, the local report said.
In other Bally’s news, the company recently launched its Bally Bet mobile sportsbook in the state of Indiana. In addition to the online debut, the company has opened a retail sportsbook at its Bally’s Evansville casino.
Company President George Papanier took a moment to celebrate Bally’s latest launch.
He commented, “We are very proud to introduce our Bally Bet mobile sportsbook in Indiana, a state with a coveted sports history and a legion of loyal fans.
“We are also excited to open the Bally Bet Sportsbook at Bally’s Evansville.”
He went on to thank the Hoosier State for teaming up with Bally’s to make the launch possible. He said, “I would like to thank the State of Indiana for its collaboration throughout this process and I would also like to recognize our team members for their contributions to this opportunity."