Rhode Island Online Gambling & Casinos
Updated: Sep 24Rhode Island has fully embraced online gambling when it comes to sports, with mobile apps available in addition to retail sportsbooks. Unfortunately, real-money online casinos in Rhode Island remain off-limits.
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Is Online Gambling Legal in Rhode Island?
Online gambling in Rhode Island is perfectly legal when it comes to sports betting and Daily Fantasy Sports. The state even did away with in-person sign-up requirements during the summer of 2020, so Rhode Island gamblers can now register online for various sportsbooks and mobile apps.
Real-money casinos are still illegal in Rhode Island, but social casinos are a great alternative in the meantime. The difference with social casinos is users don’t have to deposit anything to play various table games and slot machines. Instead, top social casinos such as Chumba provide a number of tokens and sweeps coins that can be used for various games.
Players can also win real money or other prizes with social casinos using sweeps coins. Since the player hasn’t wagered anything, these games or contests count as a sweepstakes rather than gambling and are thus legal in Rhode Island.
Stick with social casinos for now as a safe alternative to offshore casino sites.
Will Rhode Island Legalize Online Gambling?
Rhode Island doesn’t seem like it plans to legalize online casino gambling any time soon. But the state has moved quickly before, most recently getting rid of its in-person registration policy for online sports gambling. Players don’t have to physically visit a retail sportsbook to register anymore. They can do so online with a number of top sportsbook operators from the comfort of their own home.
And while Rhode Island online casino enthusiasts might have to wait a while for legal real-money online table games and slot machines, social casinos are a great alternative.
Offshore casino sites are risky. There’s no way to ensure you’ll be able to take out funds in a timely matter or get resolution with customer service issues. There’s also no way of knowing if the odds are as advertised because there’s no governing body to vet them. And you might want to think twice before trusting them with personal information such as Social Security and credit card numbers.
Land-Based Casinos in Rhode Island
| Casino | City | Address | Hours of Operation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin River Casino Hotel | Lincoln | 100 Twin River Rd | 24 hours |
| Tiverton Casino Hotel | Tiverton | 777 Tiverton Casino Blvd | 10 a.m.-3 a.m. |
Twin River Casino Hotel
One of just two land-based casinos in Rhode Island, Twin River has a 136-room hotel with a pool, fitness center and suite options. The casino includes a massive offering of more than 4,100 slot machines and electronic games, classic table games like blackjack, three-card poker, Let it Ride, baccarat and Spanish 21, and a full sportsbook. The property also has five restaurants, multiple food courts and an event center for live entertainment.
Tiverton Casino Hotel
This Rhode Island casino is also an 83-room hotel with a fitness center and meeting space. The casino has table games such as roulette, baccarat, blackjack, Let it Ride and Spanish 21, as well as more than 1,000 slot machines and electronic games. There’s also a sportsbook open from 8 p.m.-midnight, Wednesday-Sunday.
Which Rhode Island Casinos Will Offer Online Gambling?
If Rhode Island does eventually move to legalize real-money online casinos, it seems Twin River Casino Hotel and Tiverton Casino Hotel would be first in line for licenses. These are the only two land-based casinos in Rhode Island and would have a jump on potential competitors should the state decide to legalize online casino sites.
Mobile Casino Apps in Rhode Island
Mobile casino apps are extremely popular in states with legal online gambling and would be widely available in Rhode Island should they choose to pass the proper legislation. Top online casino operators provide apps that players can easily download via their iOS or Android device. It has all the same offerings from the full website version with a stripped-down, easy-to-use interface. Online casino players can then choose from various table games and slots to wager on from their cell phones.
Expected Online Casino Games to Launch in Rhode Island
Lottery
Rhode Island has had a thriving state-run lottery for more than 40 years. It is already available online and in 2020 the state added an option to play even more games, such as Keno, via the state lottery mobile app.
Online Slots
Online slots are only available at social casinos in Rhode Island for now, but players can still win real money or prizes via sweeps coins. The real-money version is almost identical to what you’d find at a real casino, with varying stakes and themes along with familiar bells and whistles. The assortment and themes are endless.
Online Poker
Online poker may or not be included in a potential online casino bill. If it does become legal in Rhode Island, players will find the same exact rules for popular card games like Texas Hold’em. The strategy is a little different, though, since you’re not at a table with real players. Some players find this more advantageous to their wagering style after a little practice.
Roulette
Online roulette is a simple game with a number of betting variations – even/odd, red/black, high/low, individual numbers, corners, etc. The game works exactly the same online but moves much faster without all the time spent sorting out individual bets from other players at the table.
Online Blackjack
Blackjack is one of the most popular table games at online casinos. It’s a great way to play for consistent profit over time or for newcomers looking to practice different card situations. The hands move quickly, you can play for any stakes you want (within reason) and the repetitions add up to help make you a better blackjack player in a short period of time.
Live Dealer
Live dealer is just a different variation of multiple table games featuring an individual dealing live over a video stream. It’s popular but available only in some states with legal online casino gambling. Rhode Island may or may not offer live dealer if they go that route.
How to Deposit and Withdraw from RI Gambling Sites
While it’s impossible to say exactly which options Rhode Island online casinos would offer, we can make an educated prediction based off existing payment options in states with legal online gambling.
Debit/credit cards are becoming easier to use and are now accepted at most of the best online casino sites. But some cards still have trouble and transactions are flagged by banks even in states with legal online gambling. If you run into this issue, you’ll have to check in with your bank or choose another payment option.
PayPal is another easy solution and many players already have accounts set up. It’s a short process for those that don’t. Once an account is set up, players can transfer funds directly from their PayPal account to the online casino and back to their PayPal account. Other e-wallets include Neteller and Skrill.
Online casino players can also set up a Play+ account, deposit money on to it either with a credit card or bank account and then make a deposit at the casino using their Play+ card. It serves as a nice, easy workaround for debit/credit card issues and you can use it to cash out as well.
Bank transfers, ACH payments and other options are available as well. Check around to see which payment method will work best for you.
What Online Casino Bonuses Will be Available in Rhode Island?
Online casino players should always shop around to see the types of promotions and bonus offers available for first-time depositors. Players should take advantage of these incentives as there is absolutely no downside.
Some online casinos will do a matched deposit for first-time players. Basically, they’ll double the amount you add to your account before you start playing. This is best for players looking to deposit a relatively significant amount from $500-$1,000. There are often significant playthrough requirements and table games may not count as much as slots toward fulfilling those requirements. Always read the terms and conditions.
Some online casinos will also give a no-deposit bonus to new players. Typically it is a small amount of around $25 with minimal playthrough requirements.
Free spins are great for players who love online slot machines at top casino sites. These are like tokens players can use on slot machines that come with no risk. Any winnings from the free spins go directly into the players’ account as real money, though there are some restrictions and requirements.
Refer-a-friend bonuses are also popular. These work just like other referral programs and allow players to receive bonus funds if one of their friends signs up for the same casino. The bonus amount varies, and some require the referred player to wager a certain amount before the referrer receives their bonus.
None of these bonuses are necessarily superior to others. Some just suit different types of players better than others. Make sure to see what is out there and try to find a bonus that best fits your playing and wagering style.
Rhode Island Gambling Laws & History
Rhode Island first embraced gambling legislation when it legalized betting on horse and greyhound racing in 1934.
Racing was the only legal form of gambling in Rhode Island until 1973, when lawmakers approved a state-run lottery for the first time. State-run lottery tickets and keno games are now available and legal to play online.
Voters first approved legal table games for the Twin River Casino in November 2012, and casino favorites like blackjack and baccarat first became available there in 2018. Rhode Island’s second casino, Tiverton Casino Hotel, opened in 2018.
The state also approved legal sports betting for the first time with a bill signed by Gov. Gina Raimondo in June 2018.
Timeline of Gambling Legislation in Rhode Island
Rhode Island Sports Betting
Rhode Island approved legal sports betting in 2018 and took its first wagers at retail sportsbooks in November 2018, just a few months after the U.S. Supreme Court gave individual states the power to legalize sports gambling by overturning the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act.
Online sports betting is also legal, and Rhode Island did away with the in-person registration requirement for sports gamblers in 2020. Retail sports betting is available at each of the state’s two casinos, while online sports gambling is also permitted throughout the state for both residents and visitors.
Latest Rhode Island Sports Betting Numbers
RHODE ISLAND SPORTS BETTING, JULY vs. JUNE
| Total handle | Mobile handle | Revenue | |
|---|---|---|---|
| July | $22.096M | $11.099M | $3.263M |
| June | $29.469M | $14.630M | $3.666M |
| Change | Down 25.0% | Down 24.1% | Down 11.0% |
Updated Aug. 30
LATEST NEWS: Rhode Island July Sports Betting Dips, Records $22.1M Handle
Daily Fantasy Sports Betting in Rhode Island
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin ruled in 2016 that daily fantasy sports were legal under state law. Top DFS operators like Draftkings and FanDuel have been free to operate their daily fantasy sports contests in the state ever since.
Horse Betting in Rhode Island
Rhode Island legalized betting on horse racing in 1934, with two in-state racetracks opening shortly after. Both have since closed and the state doesn’t have any tracks that currently offer live racing. But simulcast betting is permitted both in-person and with online sports and race apps.
What Sports Can I Bet on in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island prohibits sports betting on in-state college teams such as the Providence Friars or Brown Bears. But all out-of-state college teams/games and professional leagues are otherwise available to bet, including:
- NFL
- College football
- College basketball
- NBA
- MLB
- NHL
- ATP tennis
- WTA tennis
- PGA Tour golf
- Premier League soccer
- NASCAR
- UFC
- Boxing
Latest RI Gambling News
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Strategy and Tips
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References
- Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (July 22,2020). Retrieved July 22, 2020, from https://dbr.ri.gov/divisions/gaming/
- US Department of Justice (January 24,2020). Retrieved Feb. 6, 2020, from https://www.justice.gov/
- American Gaming Association (n.d.). Retrieved Feb. 5, 2020, from https://www.americangaming.org/
- National Council on Problem Gambling (n.d.). Retrieved Feb 6, 2020, from https://www.ncpgambling.org/programs-resources/resources/
- International Association of Gaming Regulators (n.d.). Retrieved February 1, 2020 from https://www.iagr.org/
FAQ
Can you gamble online in Rhode Island?
Yes. While real-money casinos are still off-limits, Rhode Island bettors can wager on sports, Daily Fantasy Sports and lottery games online as well as with social casinos.
What is the legal gambling age in Rhode Island?
The legal gambling age in Rhode Island is 18.
What Rhode Island casinos are eligible for a gaming license?
The state’s two land-based casinos would presumably be eligible for online casino licenses if Rhode Island legalizes online casinos.
Do I need to live in Rhode Island to online gamble once it goes live?
No, visitors and tourists can legally gamble online in Rhode Island. But they must be within state lines while doing so. Geolocation software will be used to determine a bettor’s location.
Why do some sites have online casino offers in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island offers legal social casinos to play table games and slot machines online. The difference is players don’t deposit any money at social casinos, though they can still win real cash and other prizes. Any real-money online casino offers you might see are for unregulated offshore casinos and should be avoided.
What forms of gambling are allowed in Rhode Island?
Sports betting, land-based casinos, lottery, horse race betting and daily fantasy sports are all legal in Rhode Island.
Where can I gamble in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has two casinos – Twin River Casino and Tiverton River Hotel. Both have retail sportsbooks. You can also go online for sports betting, lottery, horse race betting and Daily Fantasy Sports.
Can I bet on sports online in Rhode Island?
Yes. Online sports betting is legal in Rhode Island, which no longer requires sports bettors to register in-person at an existing retail sportsbook.
Who will regulate online gambling in Rhode Island?
The Gaming and Athletics department section of the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation oversees all gambling throughout the state.
Will online gambling in Rhode Island be safe once legal?
Yes. Online casinos in states where the practice is legal are heavily vetted and regulated, making them far safer and a better overall experience for the player compared to illegal offshore casino sites.
How will Rhode Island tax my gambling winnings?
Gambling winnings over a certain amount are subject to state income tax at a sliding scale up to 5.99%.
Contributors
Hi, I'm Ron Fritz
"Three decades covering online gaming, news and sports. My expertise is government and legislation, breaking down the latest online gambling industry developments to keep you in the know."
- Gambling legislation
- Online casinos
- Gambling industry
Reviewer since July 2019
