As the smallest state in the United States, Rhode Island doesn’t boast any professional teams or any collegiate programs. So naturally, it came as a huge surprise for Rhode Island to be the eighth state to legalize sports betting in America.

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Months after the Supreme Court struck down PASPA, Rhode Island got the ball rolling and even revised their legislation to include mobile and online betting in early 2019. Their mobile products launched later in the year. The main allure that drove Governor Gina Raimondo to sign off on sports betting was the tax revenue, as many states were already seeing a huge influx of tax dollars in just a few months.

The Rhode Island Lottery was tasked with regulating and overseeing the sports betting products, and IGT - more commonly known as William Hill - has been brought on to help. A whopping 51% of the tax revenue goes toward the state, with 32% going to IGT and 17% going to the two casinos in the state who offer sports betting.

The state only has two active casinos, which is not surprising but is also very few. There are no big tourist attractions or factors that would bring in out-of-state gamblers, as Delaware, New Jersey, and Massachusetts are in such close proximity.

There are also no tribal casinos in the state, despite tribes unsuccessfully trying to tap into the market.

Surprisingly, Daily Fantasy Sports is legal in Rhode Island. They approved DFS in 2016, when they, along with 13 other states, recognized Daily Fantasy as a game of skill, rather than chance.

A Brief Timeline of the Legality of Rhode Island Sports Betting

2024

  • February 3, 2024: There are optimistic expectations that state pro-betting lobbyists are working on the development of a mobile betting platform.

2023

  • June 28, 2023: Governor McKee signs legislation initiating online casino gaming in Rhode Island, scheduled to commence by March 2024.
  • June 17, 2023: A committee in Rhode Island approves a bill for internet gaming, awaiting the final vote in the House.
  • May 31, 2023: While sports betting experiences a dip, revenue shows growth compared to the previous year.
  • April 15, 2023: The Rhode Island Lottery extends its deal with IGT to power Sportsbook RI through 2026.

Can I bet on Sports in Rhode Island?

Yes, sports betting has been legal in the state of Rhode Island since November 2018. You can visit one of the two casinos or bet online on their mobile application - Sportsbook Rhode Island. You must visit a physical venue first to set up your mobile account, then you can play from the comfort of your own home on the app anytime.

SportsbookAvailable In Rhode Island
FanDuel
DraftKings
Caesars
FoxBet
BetRivers
BetMGM
PointsBet
UniBet

If there isn’t a physical venue near you or the thought of trying to get your account set up seems like too much work, you can use online sportsbooks that are based off-shore. Many cater to U.S. citizens who can’t visit an actual sportsbook in person. They are actually preferred by many people, as they are convenient and provide the full sportsbook experience from your laptop or mobile device.

Many online sportsbooks are safe and secure, and it’s important to do your research before signing up at one.

best rhode island betting sites

Top Online Sportsbooks for Betting in Rhode Island

There are so many online sportsbooks out there, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. There are so many factors to consider, like deposit options, cash out options, match bonuses, and mobile-friendliness.

If you’re planning to bet from your phone, you want a sportsbook with a dedicated app or a mobile reactive site. If you plan to wager with your Visa card, you want to make sure the sportsbook accepts Visa. If you can’t wait 2 weeks for your cashout check to arrive, you want to make sure you sign up at a sportsbook that has faster options.

Our sportsbook reviews are in-depth and feature some of the top sportsbooks in the industry. You can see for yourself why these books are top of the line, and make your own decisions based on the reviews. We would never recommend a sportsbook that isn’t of the highest quality.

rhode island betting

Rhode Island Casinos and Sportsbooks

There are only two casinos in all of Rhode Island, and those are the only locations that sports betting is licensed and authorized. There are no other physical venues that sports betting kiosks or windows are able to reside, so familiarizing yourself with the two venues and finding the closest one to you should be a priority.

They are essentially the same in every way, both with the same sportsbook software and betting offerings. You can visit one of these sportsbooks or use the corresponding Sportsbook Rhode Island betting app.

Twin River Casino in Lincoln, RI accepted the first-ever legal sports bet in Rhode Island in November 2018. They now offer a full slate of betting options, where gamblers can come to bet on any sport in the world. William Hill Sportsbook is based out of the United Kingdom and is highly regarded and well known in the industry for having some of the best betting lines.

Tiverton Casino Sportsbook is also run by William Hill and boasts all of the same software, features and betting options that Twin River does. They launched their sportsbook in December 2018, and the sportsbook is located in the simulcast theatre.

Both sportsbooks offer over 100 televisions with a variety of different sports on, betting windows, odds boards, bar and food service, and more. You can place any type of wager, from point spreads to parlays.

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