Gambling in Rhode Island

Introduction

Expanding its casino industry, Rhode Island has joined the list of US states that have embraced online gambling. In June 2023, the state passed Senate Bill SB 948, officially legalizing online gaming and marking the beginning of a new era for the iGaming sector of the Ocean State.

Under this legislation, Bally’s Corporation became the exclusive iGaming platform and game vendor, and through partnership with IGT, made it possible for local audiences to enjoy regulated gaming. Residents of Rhode Island are given the chance to check out both online casino games and online sports betting, as both activities are legal and regulated in the state.

The Rhode Island gambling sector is overseen by multiple regulatory bodies. The Department of Business Regulation’s Gaming and Athletics section ensures compliance with gambling laws and oversees other activities such as boxing and mixed martial arts. Additionally, the Rhode Island Lottery (RILOT) manages all aspects of lottery and gaming operations.

Revenue generated from sports betting is distributed among the state, local communities, and host towns, such as Lincoln and Tiverton, which each receive a portion of the revenue, as well as an annual flat fee for hosting these operations.

The types of games available to players in Rhode Island are diverse and cater to all kinds of casino enthusiasts. Online slot games, blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps, and many others coupled with a highly diversified selection of sports are just some of the options players can explore, depending on which particular platform they decided to visit.

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Is It Legal to Gamble Online in Rhode Island?

In June 2023, Senate Bill SB 948 was approved, marking the official beginning of online gaming in the Ocean State.

Through an exclusive agreement with the State Lottery, Bally’s Corporation got permission to become the state’s iGaming platform vendor and iGaming game vendor. The same legislation enabled the joint venture between Bally’s and IGT.

As defined in SB 948, the State Lottery Division of the Department of Revenue was granted the right to implement, operate, and oversee gambling activities provided in the Twin River and the Twin River-Tiverton.

Available game types for residents of Rhode Island include online slot games and online table games, offered through computers, mobile apps, and mobile devices or any other gadgets through which mobile gambling can be conducted. It’s important to add that wagers are accepted by a server-based gaming system located on the premises of the approved casino operators.

The said products are available to clients who are 21 or older.

On top of locally licensed platforms and offshore online casinos that accept Rhode Island players, locals can also legally play at social and sweepstakes online casinos, without spending real money. These platforms have become a huge hit all over the world, but in particular in the United States, where online gambling is still not widely accepted and regulated.

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Which Online Casino Games Can Be Played in Rhode Island?

When it comes to typical casino games, some players rely on luck solely, the others like to play something more challenging, where skills and knowledge are required.

The former usually stick with slot games or scratchcards, whereas the latter group likes to explore all-time favorite classics such as blackjack, baccarat, Pai Gow, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, roulette, craps, three-card poker, and keno, among many others. The selection varies from one platform to another, but worth noting is that social casinos are, in most cases, equipped with digital one-armed bandits, while other genres are present to a lesser extent.

Along with New Hampshire, and Maine, Rhode Island imposes a blanket ban on wagering on in-state college teams, regardless of the situation. Even though betting on in-state college teams and events is banned, wagering on college games is generally permitted.

That, coupled with the fact that RI has no major professional sports teams leaves locals with options to support teams from Massachusetts or New York.

Some of the teams residents of Rhode Island like to bet on include:

• NBA: New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics
• NFL: New England Patriots, New York Giants, New York Jets
• NHL: New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes
• MLB: New York Mets, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox

Sports Betting in Rhode Island

Mobile and online sports betting became legal in Ohio in September 2019. Online sports betting is offered through the official platform of SportsBook Rhode Island, and, at the time being, it is limited to the state lottery’s two casinos.

To take part in sports betting, individuals must be 18 years or older. This is generally a lower age limit than in a vast majority of US states, where this form of gambling is permitted only to those who are 21 or older.

What needs to be mentioned is that the state has a specific revenue-sharing model, where the funds of sports betting revenue are distributed as follows:

• 51% goes to the State of Rhode Island
• 17% is granted to Lincoln and Tiverton each

In addition to this, the town of Lincoln and the town of Tiverton shall each be paid an annual flat fee of $200,000 as compensation for serving as the host communities for sports wagering.

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Rhode Island Gambling Regulator

Tasked to supervise the enforcement of relevant laws in the gambling sector is the Gaming and Athletics section which falls under the Department of Business Regulation.

It is also in charge of collecting taxes and fees determined by the state law. The activities falling under this institution’s supervision include boxing, mixed martial arts, and simulcast wagering.

Other than this department, there’s the Rhode Island Lottery (RILOT), which is in charge of overseeing all aspects of Lottery operation and gaming in the state. 2024 was a groundbreaking year for the institution, not only because iGaming was launched in the state, but also due to the 50^th anniversary celebration of the lottery.

Worth noting is that the institution works tirelessly to promote responsible gambling and enable players to enjoy exploring a variety of games in a safe environment. It is also the largest voluntary source of income for the state.

Depositing and Withdrawing when in RI

Take a look at the table below for more information on deposit/withdrawal and banking term rankings in casinos that accept players from Rhode Island. If you’re interested in getting to know more about payment options United States-wide, visit deposit and withdrawal methods for the US players.

US-RI Online Casinos Deposit & Withdrawal Grades View All

Conclusion

Rhode Island’s move to legalize online gambling through Senate Bill SB 948 in June 2023 marks a significant development for the state’s gaming industry.

With Bally’s Corporation as the exclusive iGaming vendor, residents now have access to a wide range of online casino games and sports betting options, all regulated by state authorities like the Department of Business Regulation and the Rhode Island Lottery.

With a strong regulatory framework in place and a focus on responsible gaming, Rhode Island’s online gambling sector is set to grow, offering both entertainment and economic benefits for the state.

Related Reading

RealMoneyAction

Rhode Island Lottery

Department of Business Regulation- Gaming & Athletics

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Written by: Michael Shackleford