Rhode Island
Rhode Island Lottery Pays Out $426.4M to State General Fund, Despite Drop in Revenue – Newport Buzz
The Rhode Island Lottery has delivered a hefty $426.4 million check to the state’s General Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. But while the payout sounds impressive, it’s a slight drop from the previous year, with the state pocketing $8.2 million less than in 2023. This payout comes after the Lottery accounted for prize awards, commissions, and various gaming expenses.
The latest figures were revealed in a report released by Auditor General David A. Bergantino and the Joint Committee on Legislative Services. Auditors gave the thumbs-up, confirming the numbers are legit and comply with U.S. accounting standards.
While the overall revenue took a hit, the Lottery’s total gross profit from gaming operations before operating expenses hit $436.5 million. But not every corner of Rhode Island’s gambling landscape is rolling high.
Video Lottery Still the King, but Slipping
Video lottery remains the big moneymaker, pulling in $314.9 million—over 72% of the total gross profit. However, video lottery revenue dropped 1.8% compared to the previous year, signaling that even the most popular gaming segment is feeling the squeeze.
Jackpot Fever Boosts Online Games
On the flip side, online drawing games like PowerBall® and Mega Millions® saw a 2.4% rise, with gross profits hitting $52.1 million. Thanks to a few jaw-dropping jackpots north of $1 billion, gamblers in Rhode Island couldn’t resist chasing the dream.
Instant Tickets and Table Games See Decline
But it wasn’t all wins. Instant ticket sales took a 7.7% tumble, bringing in just $22.4 million. And the table games weren’t any luckier—revenue from blackjack and other table games fell by 4.1%, leaving the state with $20.3 million after commissions and expenses.
Sports Betting Takes a Hit, iGaming Enters the Arena
The sports betting sector got blitzed by rising competition from neighboring states. Gross profit from sportsbooks plummeted by 24.8%, with Rhode Island only banking $19.2 million after costs. As gamblers turned elsewhere, the state felt the loss to the tune of $6.3 million compared to last year.
In March 2024, Rhode Island finally got into the iGaming game, though the early numbers were modest. The online casino games made a gross profit of $3.6 million, but it’s early days for the newest player on the block.
While Rhode Island still raked in big bucks, the slight downturn across several sectors raises eyebrows. As neighboring states ramp up their gambling operations, all eyes are on how Rhode Island’s gaming sector will adapt to keep the cash flowing into the state’s coffers.
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Rhode Island
Exclusive | Not everyoneâs happy about Taylor Swiftâs MSG wedding, as Rhode Island residents are left at altarÂ
Not everyoneâs happy about Taylor Swiftâs marriage to Travis Kelce being at MSG
Reports previously speculated that Swift and her fiance were going to tie the knot on June 13 at the posh Ocean House hotel in tony Watch Hill, the Rhode Island, where Swift famously owns a home.
The “Shake It Off” singer even allegedly cut a major check to another bride-to-be who’d booked her wedding at the venue. But it was revealed that the pop star and the NFL star changed the location to accommodate more people… and are now getting hitched at the much less intimate Madison Square Garden.
You’d think that residents of Watch Hill would be relieved to avoid the attendant media circus and other headaches that would descend on the intimate enclave. But it turns out they’re bummed the nups won’t be in their proverbial backyard. In fact, more than one Watch Hill regular told us on Wednesday that they were disappointed Swift had changed venues.
The wedding would’ve also been a boon to the local economy, they said.
“Taylor has done a very good job of endearing herself here, and not being a jerk,” bluntly summed up a longtime Watch Hill habitué.
An insider added, “Taylor is a very good neighbor, and a very good member of the community. [She and her family] shop locally and go out of their way not to create problems — she has her own home with her own security. She’s really truly not an inconvenience to anyone.”
“In terms of the wedding, from a financial point of view, even the town next door, Westerly, they were going to get a little economic boom. Or at least a bump!” a source said.
As for the supposed previous wedding venue, “The local hotel, Ocean House, would make an enormous amount of money from the wedding,” said a source.
Then again, they added, “A regular room with the taxes goes right up against $2K a night. Thatâs like the regular room. Bottles of water are $18.”
Page Six has reported that Swift’s wedding will last 10 hours and include 1,000 guests!
On the wedding day, doors open for guests at 3:30 p.m., with cocktails beginning at 4 p.m. on the sixth-floor concourse at MSG. The ceremony will then start at 5:30 p.m. on the arena floor.
The night before, there will be a more intimate rehearsal dinner for just 100 guests at the arenaâs Infosys Theater on Thursday.
Some Watch Hill types were left wondering how their town, which one inhabitant described as being “two city blocks,” could have handled that influx.
“The real locals were just a little concerned about just having access to their lives… They thought the whole place was going to be shut, including the streets, and how would they get in and out, etc.”
Rhode Island
‘Real Housewives of Rhode Island’ star Liz McGraw exits show after one season
The latest “Real Housewives” franchise is already facing a casting shake up.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 01: Liz McGraw visits SiriusXM Studios on April 01, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
“Real Housewives of Rhode Island” star Liz McGraw announced she is leaving the show after one season.
“I am full of gratitude for the amazing opportunity to appear on this show,” she wrote on Instagram on Wednesday. “As filming for season 2 begins, I have made the decision to take a step back and focus on my family, my work and my passions.”
McGraw continued, “The RHORI cast is an amazing group of women who have created something special. I’ll be watching next season and rooting for the continued success of this franchise.”
“For now, I look forward to enjoying this little corner of the world from the other side of the camera,” she concluded.
Bravo’s Andy Cohen was already ready to invite McGraw back writing in the comments, “The door is always open. Just sayin’!”
McGraw recently became a grandmother, going by the nickname “Gigi” after her stepdaughter Brianna McGraw, who she shares with husband Gerry McGraw, welcomed a baby girl.
THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF RHODE ISLAND — Season:1 — Pictured: Liz McGraw — (Photo by: Bronson Farr/Bravo)
“She is just pure love,” McGraw said on a recent episode of “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island After Show.” “You feel that energy when she’s in your arms. Gerry’s addicted to it.”
She added, “We pop in, we pop out, we bring gifts, [and] we spoil.”
Ahead of the debut “RHORI” season, Ashley Iaconetti told PauseRewind’s Kevin Zelman, “On ‘Bachelor,’ it’s about love and drama and on ‘Housewives’ it’s a little bit more about drama, that’s the big difference for me. It was a totally different experience.”
Follow us on Instagram @WeArePauseRewind for all your pop culture obsessions.
Rhode Island
Christ on a Crackuh! Liz McGraw Is Leaving RHORI.
A one season wonder.
Photo: Clifton Prescod/Bravo
Knowing the history of successful Real Housewives shows, one could have assumed that Liz McGraw’s life was going to play out on TV for the next 20 years, à la Lisa Vanderpump or Vicki Gunvalson. This is, however, not the case. McGraw, one of the breakout stars of season one of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, is leaving after just one season, she revealed on Instagram today. “I’m full of gratitude for the amazing opportunity to appear on this show,” she wrote. “As filming for Season 2 begins, I have made the decision to take a step back and focus on my family, my work and my passions. The RHORI cast is an amazing group of women who have created something special. I’ll be watching next season, rooting for the continued success of this franchise. For now, I look forward to enjoying this little corner of the world from the other side of the camera.”
The so-called Weed Queen of Rhode Island was part of the glue that held the women of RHORI together. She knew the most cast members and would often counsel both sides of a fight. Throughout the season, she got into arguments with friends, including Kelsey Swanson, Jo-Ellen Tiberi, and Alicia Carmody. There is no confirmation as to why McGraw is leaving, but we know it was her choice. Real Housewives producer Andy Cohen commented, “The door is always open … Just sayin’!” on her going-away post. In the meantime, Jo-Ellen, you have even more show to carry.
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