Rhode Island in legal trouble over sports betting laws

The Rhode Island government is facing legal action from a group of residents who claim the recent legalisation of sports betting was done without consent from the public.

The Ocean State reformed its gambling laws last year, with regulated sportsbooks opening at the Twin River and Tiverton casinos in November.

However, lawmakers in Providence are now under the microscope because the issue was never put to a ballot vote.

“Filed suit today to stop sports betting and future mobile sports betting and unless RI voters approve,” tweeted Joseph S. Larisa, one of the attorneys behind the campaign.

“Table games were approved by voters in 2012 and 2016. Sports betting has never been on the ballot.”

Assisting with the suit is Brandon Bell, the former chair of the Republican Party in Rhode Island.

Six other states have legalised sports betting since the US Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) last year.

Not one of Delaware, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and West Virginia was required to put the matter to a public vote.