The inextricable ties between Bally’s Corp. and state government will be on display as the General Assembly vets a request from the operator of Rhode Island’s two casinos to expand gambling to allow state residents to play slots and table games for cash from the convenience of a smartphone.

The initiative to add iGaming in Rhode Island was first announced on Feb. 16 during the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce’s annual legislative luncheon. With more than 50 state legislators in attendance, Bally’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel Craig Eaton took the podium and spoke to them directly.

“We see this as a vital step to ensuring our competitive advantage,” he said.