Bally's Twin River Lincoln

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Bally's Twin River Lincoln is a casino resort in Lincoln, Rhode Island, operated by Bally's Corporation and owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties.

Last updated August 22, 2026

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First read: Nov 4, 2026
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Overview

Bally's Twin River Lincoln is a casino, hotel, sportsbook, and entertainment property in Lincoln, Rhode Island. The facility developed from Lincoln Downs, a horse-racing venue that opened in 1947, and later became Lincoln Greyhound Park and Lincoln Park as its business model shifted from live racing toward simulcasting and electronic gaming. Its modern casino identity emerged after BLB Investors acquired the property and undertook a major expansion that opened in 2007 under the Twin River Casino name. The property is one of Rhode Island's principal gaming venues. Its casino includes approximately 202,000 square feet of gaming space, with about 3,900 slot machines, 110 table games, and 32 poker tables. The resort also includes a 136-room hotel, a 29,000-square-foot event center, restaurants, bars, and a racebook. A poker room was added in 2015, and the property became Rhode Island's first sportsbook in 2018. Following state authorization for mobile sports wagering, the Twin River operation also became associated with remote sports betting in Rhode Island. The property's history reflects the changing regulatory and competitive environment of New England gambling. Lincoln Downs initially operated as a conventional pari-mutuel racetrack, but financial pressure, competition from Connecticut gambling facilities, and changes in Rhode Island gaming policy encouraged the adoption of off-track betting, simulcasting, and video lottery terminals. Electronic gaming began at the property in 1992, and by the following year the Lincoln Park name emphasized the venue's broader entertainment and wagering activities rather than greyhound racing alone. The property underwent a difficult ownership period in the 2000s. Federal charges in 2003 involving alleged payments connected with political support for gaming expansion contributed to pressure for a change in ownership. BLB Investors acquired the American tracks formerly controlled by Wembley and invested approximately $220 million in the Lincoln property. BLB later entered bankruptcy protection, and ownership passed to lenders after its restructuring. Live table games were approved by Rhode Island voters in 2012 and began at Twin River in 2013, substantially broadening the facility's casino offering. Twin River acquired Newport Grand in 2015, expanding the company's Rhode Island presence, while the Lincoln property continued to add amenities. Construction of an attached hotel began in 2017 and the hotel opened in 2018. The venue was renamed Bally's Twin River Lincoln in November 2021 during Bally's Corporation's broader rebranding. Subsequent improvements included a spa opened in 2023, an expanded casino area with a high-limit section, and a food hall. Bally Interactive introduced an online casino experience for Rhode Island customers in 2024, connecting the physical resort with the state's regulated digital gaming market. The property is operated by Bally's Corporation under a real-estate arrangement with Gaming and Leisure Properties. It remains an active casino resort serving Rhode Island and the wider New England market, with gaming, lodging, dining, sports betting, poker, racing-related wagering, and event facilities.

History

The site began as Lincoln Downs, a horse-racing track opened on July 7, 1947. It was built by B.A. Dario, who also owned Pascoag Park Racetrack. The venue's grandstand accommodated approximately 5,800 spectators, with additional capacity in the clubhouse and turf club. In 1976, Dario closed the track early after reporting substantial losses caused by competition from Connecticut off-track betting and jai alai, as well as Rhode Island's limits on the track's share of betting revenue. Later that year, he sold his controlling interest to the Taunton Greyhound Association. The property reopened as Lincoln Greyhound Park and began greyhound racing in June 1977. In the late 1980s, ownership agreed to sell Lincoln and several other American dog tracks to United Track Racing, a joint venture involving Wembley plc and United Tote. Wembley subsequently acquired United Tote's interest. During the early 1990s, Rhode Island permitted Lincoln to conduct off-track betting and simulcasting. Competition from Foxwoods Casino contributed to declining pari-mutuel wagering, encouraging the state to authorize video lottery terminals offering electronic poker and blackjack-style games. Lincoln began operating the machines in September 1992 with 189 terminals, increasing to approximately 900 by 1993. The site was then shortened to Lincoln Park to highlight its broader mix of simulcasting and electronic gaming. In 2003, Lincoln Park and two executives were indicted in connection with allegations that as much as $4 million had been paid to a law firm associated with Rhode Island House Speaker John Harwood. The alleged purpose was to secure political support for expanding the track's gaming facilities and to obstruct a competing casino proposal by the Narragansett Indian Tribe. Governor Donald Carcieri called for a change in ownership before negotiations over expansion could proceed. After an attempted transaction and subsequent restructuring of the sale process, BLB Investors acquired five of Wembley's American tracks, including Lincoln, in 2005. BLB invested approximately $220 million in the property. The expansion opened in March 2007, and the venue became Twin River Casino. BLB later filed for bankruptcy protection in 2009, stating that discontinuing dog racing was necessary to preserve the casino business. The restructuring transferred ownership to lenders led by Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Sankaty Advisors. Although the principal reorganization was substantially resolved in 2010, the bankruptcy case remained open until 2011. Rhode Island voters and Lincoln voters approved live table games at Twin River in November 2012. The games launched in June 2013, transforming the venue from a predominantly electronic gaming and racing-related operation into a broader casino. Twin River agreed to acquire Newport Grand in 2015, and the Lincoln property added a poker room in December of that year. It also served as a filming location for the 2016 boxing film Bleed for This. Construction on a four-story hotel attached to the casino began in May 2017. The 136-room hotel opened in October 2018. That same year, Twin River opened Rhode Island's first sportsbook in November. After Rhode Island authorized mobile sports betting in 2019, an application was developed to allow remote sports wagering associated with the Twin River operation. The property was renamed Bally's Twin River Lincoln in November 2021 as part of Bally's Corporation's rebranding. In 2023, Bally's opened a 14,000-square-foot spa and expanded the casino by about 40,000 square feet, adding a high-limit gaming area and food hall. In 2024, Bally Interactive launched a Rhode Island online casino accessible through web and mobile interfaces. The property is operated by Bally's Corporation and, according to the supplied reference material, its land and buildings were sold to Gaming and Leisure Properties in 2026 and leased back to the operator.

2024
Online casino launches in Rhode Island
[1]Bally's Twin River Lincolnen.wikipedia.org
Bally Interactive introduces a web and mobile online casino experience for Rhode Island.
2023
Spa and casino expansion open
[1]Bally's Twin River Lincolnen.wikipedia.org
Bally's adds a spa, expanded casino space, a high-limit area, and a food hall.
2021
Bally's name adopted
[1]Bally's Twin River Lincolnen.wikipedia.org
The property is renamed Bally's Twin River Lincoln.
2018
Hotel and sportsbook open
[1]Bally's Twin River Lincolnen.wikipedia.org
The attached 136-room hotel opens in October, followed by Rhode Island's first sportsbook in November.
2015
Poker room added
[1]Bally's Twin River Lincolnen.wikipedia.org
The casino opens a poker room in December.
2013
Live table games begin
[1]Bally's Twin River Lincolnen.wikipedia.org
Following voter approval, live table games begin operating at the property.
2007
Twin River Casino opens
[1]Bally's Twin River Lincolnen.wikipedia.org
A major expansion opens under the Twin River Casino name.
2005
BLB Investors acquires the property
[1]Bally's Twin River Lincolnen.wikipedia.org
BLB Investors completes the acquisition of Lincoln and four other American race tracks from Wembley.
1992
Video lottery gaming launches
[1]Bally's Twin River Lincolnen.wikipedia.org
Lincoln begins electronic gaming with 189 video lottery terminals.
1991
Off-track betting and simulcasting expand
[1]Bally's Twin River Lincolnen.wikipedia.org
Rhode Island authorizes off-track betting at Lincoln and simulcasting begins.
1977
Greyhound racing begins
[1]Bally's Twin River Lincolnen.wikipedia.org
After a change in ownership, the track operates as Lincoln Greyhound Park and begins its first season of greyhound racing.
1947
Lincoln Downs opens
[1]Bally's Twin River Lincolnen.wikipedia.org
The original horse-racing venue opens in Lincoln, Rhode Island.

Products and positioning

A full-service Rhode Island casino resort combining regulated casino gaming, sports wagering, poker, hotel accommodation, dining, events, and digital gaming. Its positioning evolved from a racetrack and pari-mutuel venue into a destination casino serving the New England regional market.

Casino gaming · 1992
Casino gaming
The main casino offers approximately 202,000 square feet of gaming space, including about 3,900 slot machines and 110 table games. The facility's gaming offer expanded from video lottery terminals and electronic games into live table gaming after Rhode Island voters approved the change in 2012.
Poker · 2015
Poker room
A dedicated poker room was added in December 2015. The broader property is described as having 32 poker tables, making poker a distinct component of its casino offering.
Sports betting · 2018
Sportsbook
Twin River opened Rhode Island's first sportsbook in November 2018. Following the state's 2019 authorization of mobile sports betting, the operation was linked with an application allowing remote sports wagers.
Hospitality · 2018
Hotel
The attached four-story hotel opened in October 2018 with 136 rooms, extending the property from a day- and evening-use casino into an overnight resort destination.
Digital gaming · 2024
Online casino
Bally Interactive introduced Rhode Island's first and only online casino experience, accessible through a website and mobile application, in 2024.

Controversies

2003
Political influence and gaming-expansion indictment
Lincoln Park and two executives were indicted over allegations that payments of up to $4 million were made to a law firm associated with Rhode Island House Speaker John Harwood. The alleged scheme concerned support for expanding the track's slot operation and opposition to a proposed Narragansett Indian Tribe casino. The allegations prompted Governor Donald Carcieri to demand a change in ownership before expansion negotiations continued.
Source

2023
Expand resort amenities and casino capacityOther
Background
Bally's continued investing in the Lincoln property after the name change and in connection with Rhode Island economic-development requirements.
Action taken
The property opened a 14,000-square-foot spa and added about 40,000 square feet of casino space, including a high-limit gaming area and food hall.
Aftermath
The expansion increased the property's leisure, premium-gaming, dining, and resort capabilities.
Source
2021
Rebrand as Bally's Twin River LincolnStrategy
Background
Bally's Corporation undertook a broader corporate rebranding.
Action taken
The property adopted the Bally's Twin River Lincoln name in November 2021.
Aftermath
The venue became more explicitly connected to the Bally's brand while retaining the Twin River geographic identity.
Source
2018
Launch sportsbook and mobile sports-betting capabilityProduct launch
Background
The United States Supreme Court struck down the federal prohibition affecting most state sports wagering, and Rhode Island subsequently authorized sports betting and mobile wagering.
Action taken
Twin River opened Rhode Island's first sportsbook in November 2018. A later state law allowed an application for remote sports betting associated with Twin River.
Aftermath
Sports wagering became an additional physical and digital activity linked with the property.
Source
2015
Acquire Newport GrandM&A
Background
Twin River sought to expand its presence in Rhode Island's regulated gaming market.
Action taken
Twin River agreed to purchase Newport Grand in March 2015.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded the company's in-state portfolio, although the supplied material does not provide further transaction details.
Source
2012
Add live table gamesStrategy
Background
Rhode Island's gaming framework had previously emphasized electronic gaming and pari-mutuel activities. Statewide and Lincoln voters considered whether Twin River should offer live table games.
Action taken
Voters approved the referendum in November 2012, and live table games began in June 2013.
Aftermath
The property broadened its casino proposition beyond electronic gaming and racing-related wagering.
Source
2007
Convert the racetrack property into a casino resortStrategy
Background
The property faced long-term pressure on pari-mutuel racing from competition and changing consumer behavior. BLB Investors pursued a major redevelopment after acquiring the site.
Action taken
BLB invested approximately $220 million in an expansion that opened in March 2007 under the Twin River Casino name.
Aftermath
The property became centered on casino gaming and later added live table games, poker, a hotel, sports betting, and other resort amenities.
Expansion investment. Approximately $220 million (Expansion completed in 2007)
Source

Recent events

2020-04-06
Rhode Island partners with CVS Health for drive-through COVID-19 testing[2]罗得岛州与 CVS Health 合作提供新冠病毒检测golocalprov.com
Reported: 2020-04-06
Rhode Island partnered with CVS Health to provide free rapid COVID-19 tests at a new drive-through testing site at Twin River casino in Lincoln.

Sources2 sources

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