In Rhode Island, a senior Democratic state legislator has reportedly introduced a measure that would build on late-November’s launch of land-based sportsbetting by allowing residents to additionally place sports wagers via a mobile device.

Targeting tax:

According to a Wednesday report from the Associated Press news service published by The News Tribune newspaper, the legislation was introduced by Dominick Ruggerio (pictured) from the Rhode Island State Senate earlier this week in hopes that the small eastern state can generate even more revenues from sportsbetting.

Limited opportunities:

Rhode Island is one of only eight states to have legalized sportsbetting in the wake of May’s decision from the United States Supreme Court that invalidated the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) but its residents are currently only able to place wagers in person at sportsbooks located inside the Twin River Casino and the Tiverton Casino Hotel.

Bets on the move:

If ratified, the legislation from 70-year-old Ruggerio would reportedly allow sportsbetting aficionados to utilize a specially-created mobile app in order to place wagers from anywhere in Rhode Island although they are to be required to register for the advance in person so that staff may verify their age.

Geo-location advances:

Ruggerio reportedly told local online news domain GoLocalProv.com that his legislation would also subject mobile sportsbetting to the same 51% tax rate currently accessed against its land-based counterparts and hope to prohibit out-of-state wagering through the use of geo-location technology.

Ruggerio to GoLocalProv.com…

“It is estimated that 97% of sportsbetting takes place illegally. This is an opportunity to give Rhode Islanders and visitors a legal avenue to participate in an activity they enjoy while providing a very tangible benefit to our state.”