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.

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.

Sweepstakes casinos

Rhode Island is an interesting case when it comes to sweepstakes casinos. Technically, they operate in a gray area rather than being outright illegal or fully regulated. The state’s gambling laws don’t explicitly address online sweepstakes casinos, so they aren’t directly prohibited, but they also aren’t regulated under the state’s gaming framework.

In Rhode Island, sweepstakes are addressed under Section 11-50-1 of the General Laws, which mandates that any retail establishment offering prizes exceeding $500 in value through chance-based promotions must register the promotion with the Secretary of State.

This section primarily applies to retail establishments, focusing on physical, location-based sweepstakes or promotional games of chance. The statute’s language does not explicitly address online sweepstakes casinos, which creates ambiguity regarding their regulation.

In practice:

• Retail sweepstakes promotions must register with the Secretary of State if prizes exceed $500.
• Online sweepstakes casinos may not be directly regulated under this law unless explicitly addressed in another legal framework or if considered within broader gambling regulations.

Rhode Island's gambling laws are structured to regulate iGaming through state-controlled channels like Bally's online casino, but sweepstakes casinos, which operate under alternative legal models, may fall into a gray area unless explicitly included in legislation. This lack of clarity means such operations could potentially exist unless explicitly prohibited or subject to specific regulation by the Rhode Island Lottery or other governing bodies. 

But due to the fact that Rhode Island officially became the seventh US state to legalize iGaming on June 22, 2023, when Senate Bill 948 was signed into law by Governor Dan McKee (expanding Bally's Corporation's existing monopoly on land-based casinos to include online casino operations), sweepstakes casinos might not feel the need to enter a small market with already established options. 

Still, if you’re in Rhode Island and want to try a sweepstakes casino, you’ll likely find that many still accept players from the state without any legal issues. It’s just one of those unregulated niches for now.

This lack of regulation is pretty common across many states, and it’s why sweepstakes casinos can use their promotional model to offer gameplay for free or through sweepstakes coins. They’re essentially operating outside the state’s gambling laws by not requiring players to pay directly for a chance to win prizes, which is what would normally qualify as gambling.

How to Enter Sweepstakes Casinos

Entering most sweepstakes casino is pretty straightforward - it’s not much different than any real-money casino:

1. Create an account on a reputable sweepstakes casino site. You’ll need to provide some basic personal information.
2. Claim free Sweeps Coins, as most sweepstakes casinos offer free Sweeps Coins (or similar tokens) when you sign up. They also give free coins periodically via bonuses, social media, or other promotions.
3. Buy Gold Coins (but this is optional), which are a separate currency you can purchase for playing games for fun. As a bonus, you usually get free Sweeps Coins with your purchase.
4. Use Sweeps Coins to play slots, table games, or even poker. Any winnings you get in Sweeps Coins can be redeemed later for real money or prizes.

 

How to Cash Out Winnings

When you're ready to cash out:

1. Verify your account, as most sites require ID verification to ensure compliance with sweepstakes laws.
2. Redeem accumulated Sweeps Coins once you have met the requirements - winnings in SCs can be redeemed for cash or equivalent value prizes.
3. You can usually withdraw via bank transfers, e-wallets, vouchers, crypto, checks, or other banking methods, depending on the gaming site.

Credit cards and debit cards are rarely used for withdrawals, but they are often accepted for buying Gold Coins.

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.

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.

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

Written by: Michael Shackleford