In First Month Of Legal Sports Betting, Gamblers Wager $13 Million At R.I. Casinos

As New England Patriots fans place their bets on the Super Bowl, Rhode Island is releasing results from the first full month of legalized sports betting.

Gamblers placed about $13 million in wagers on professional sports in December, according to figures released this week by the Rhode Island Lottery.

Rhode Island is the only New England state that currently offers legal sports betting. Wagers can be placed at Twin River casinos in Lincoln and Tiverton.

The casinos paid $12.1 million on winning bets, leaving about $950,000 in revenue. The state gets 51 percent, after commissions and operating expenses are subtracted.

New England Patriots fans are going to the casinos to bet on the Super Bowl. But even with Super Bowl betting revenue, lottery officials say it's unclear whether revenue projections for the fiscal year will be met.

The state projects it'll get about $11.5 million from sports betting through June 30.

Rhode Island lawmakers are considering a proposal to add online sports betting to the wagers now offered in casinos. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has proposed legalizing sports wagers in casinos and online.