Rhode Island Online Casino Real Money – Gambling Laws in The Ocean State

Rhode Island is about to become the seventh state in the U.S. to legalize and regulate its online casino industry.

Players have had access to gambling sites for years, though, at trusted offshore platforms available across RI.

This guide takes you through the latest laws in the state and looks at how the business is about to change.

Discover how you can bet online in The Ocean State and where the best place is to wager in person.

Summary of RI Gambling Laws

Rhode Island has rewritten many of its betting laws over the past 15 years to expand its regulated industry rapidly. 

You can gamble online and in person, compete in poker tournaments, and enjoy DFS games.

Is Gambling Legal in Rhode Island?

Gambling is permitted in Rhode Island, and the state is about to open its doors to regulated online casinos too. 

RI is home to two commercial casinos, two in-person sportsbooks, a lottery called ‘The Lot’, pari-mutuel horse betting, DFS, and one online sports betting app.

Below is the latest status for each form of wagering in The Ocean State:

Best Rhode Island Online Casinos

Residents of Rhode Island will soon have a choice of where to play online gambling games. Some will opt for the newly-launched Bally platform, while others will choose to remain with trusted offshore sites. 

Here are the top real money online casinos we recommend.

Where to Gamble in Rhode Island

If you’re looking to play somewhere in Rhode Island, then you’re in luck! There are a few high-end casinos where you can gamble, and plenty of online options too. 

Being a small state means even players in Charlestown can reach a gaming venue in under an hour. 

Land-Based Casinos

There are two land-based casinos operating in Rhode Island.

• Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino
  100 Twin River Rd, Lincoln, RI 02865
  A 12-minute drive from downtown Providence.
• Bally’s Tiverton Casino
  777 Tiverton Casino Blvd, Tiverton, RI 02878
  Close to the RI-Massachusetts border.

There was a third facility, Newport Casino, that shuttered in 2018 after residents voted against a proposal to license slot machines at the establishment.

Horse & Dog Tracks

Horse racing is legal in Rhode Island under the general state laws. However, there are no racetracks in operation.

Narragansett Park and Lincoln Downs were iconic tracks but weren’t profitable.

The only way to bet on horse racing in NI now is to access simulcast operations at Bally’s Tiverton and Bally’s Lincoln or join an offshore site.

As for greyhound racing, Lincoln Park dog track closed in 2009 under $10 million in annual subsidy payments to greyhound breeders.

Dog racing and betting were banned a year later.

Online Sports Betting

Online sportsbooks have been legal in Rhode Island since 2018. There is only one in-state option in RI operated by the state lottery.

However, RI residents have been able to join offshore sportsbooks for years. These sites often have licenses in other jurisdictions and can offer a wider range of sports odds.

Bingo Halls and Charitable Gambling

Bingo halls are scattered across the state of RI and raise money for charitable organizations.

Establishments can also apply for charitable gaming licenses via the Division of State Police’s Charitable Gambling Unit.

Social Gaming at Home

It is possible to play socially at home in RI so long as there is no rake.

Promoting illegal gambling can lead to a $2,000 fine, but the police are unlikely to arrest someone for playing with close friends.

Poker Rooms and Clubs

​​Bally’s Twin River Lincoln and Bally’s Tiverton are the only locations where you can play land-based poker in Rhode Island.

Combined, they operate 48 poker tables, including games of Texas Hold’em, Three Card Poker, and Omaha.

Players will also be able to deal with regulated online poker games as of mid-2024 via the Bally’s app. It will also be possible to continue playing online poker at offshore sites.

Rhode Island could also apply to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) and facilitate poker games with players across seven member states.

Casino Cruises

Rhode Island does not operate any casino cruises out of Narragansett Bay or up the Seekonk River.

Top Bonuses at Gambling Sites for Rhode Island Players

Online gambling in Rhode Island is about to expand but the best options remain offshore.

These sites can offer a wider range of games, with bigger and better prizes, because they pay fewer taxes. 

Here are two top casino bonuses for Rhode Islanders:

Rhode Island Online Gambling Laws

Rhode Island will be the seventh state in the U.S. to legalize and regulate its own online gambling laws. Bally’s Corporation will have a monopoly on iGaming within the state when it launches its app.

However, players will only be able to use the app when on Twin River Lincoln and Bally’s Tiverton casino premises.

That means much of the state will not be covered by a regulated iGaming industry.

Residents can continue to access offshore sites, while legislators may soon look to reduce Bally’s monopoly and welcome other providers into the regulated market.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Rhode Island?

Yes. Residents of The Ocean State can access online sports betting through the lottery, and the Bally’s will launch the first in-state regulated casino later in 2024.

It’s also possible to freely access offshore sites while residing in RI. There is no recorded prosecution for gambling in platforms regulated outside the state.

Gambling Ban Has Many Exceptions

RI outlaws all forms of wagering unless they are included in the state statute book and regulated.

People found guilty of promoting illegal gambling can face imprisonment of up to two years and a $2,000 maximum fine.

Exceptions to the legislation are outlined in Title 42, Chapter 61.2 – Video Lottery Games, Table Games and Sports Wagering.

Rhode Island Requires Advertisers to Publish a Hotline

Any casino or sportsbook that advertises its activities in Rhode Island must provide the phone number of an organization with responsible gambling programs.

It can be the National Council on Problem Gambling or a similar toll-free number approved by the state lottery division.

(RI Gen L § 41-9.1-27)

Rhode Islanders Get to Choose Their Casinos

Under the Casino Act, Rhode Islanders vote on any proposed new casino locations.

Residents voted in favor in 2012. Four years later, they were asked to permit the creation of a new facility at Tiverton on the Massachusetts border.

This included transferring the license from the aging Newport Grand. Voters approved the ballot measure.

*Disclaimer: Please be advised that the information provided on this page does not constitute legal advice. Our team strongly recommends you seek professional counsel from a qualified attorney regarding your specific questions or concerns on the topic.

Rhode Island Online Gambling vs. Neighboring States

It’s easier to understand Rhode Island’s decision to launch and regulate its own online casino industry when you look at its neighboring states.

America’s eastern coastline is progressively becoming more accepting of iGaming.

Here’s how RI compares to its neighbors.

Rhode Island was one of the first states on America’s north-east coast to relax its laws in 2018 and approve sports betting. However, it is behind the curve when it comes to tribal gambling.

New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts all permit tribal casinos within their borders, while RI has so far resisted any agreement with tribes.

Rhode Island doesn’t even lead the way in online casino gaming in the region. That honor goes to Connecticut, which launched its iGaming industry in 2021.

Tips for Playing at Online Casinos in Rhode Island Safely

We thoroughly assess casinos before making our recommendations to our readers.

However, we suggest you also use your best judgment and look for a site that allows you to gamble the way you want.

Here are some quick tips for playing safe at RI betting sites:

Join a Reputable Casino

We recommend only choosing a site with a strong reputation from years of good service. Each one of our top picks has passed our extensive safety and security checks.

Most offshore sites we recommend operate under a license from Europe, Curaçao, or Panama.

Licenses aid player protection and ensure casino standards are upheld.

Read Reviews

Take a look at reviews of experts before selecting a casino. It’s also worth searching for opinions from other players to see what positives and negatives stick out.

Make Sure It’s Secure

Rhode Islanders lose $21 million a year through cyber fraud. Choose a site with 256-bit secure socket layering (SSL) encryption or Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption as standard.

This will ensure your interactions are safe and all payments are securely processed.

Demand Transparency

Find a site that is fully transparent about how it handles your data and processes payments.

Make sure you understand the T&Cs, and seek out pay tables and wagering requirements so you know what kind of site you’re joining.

Double Check Your Payment Options

If your chosen casino site doesn’t let you deposit and withdraw with your chosen payment method, then find one that does!

Offshore sites can provide a wider range of payment methods than RI casinos, including bank transfers, checks, and crypto.

Future of Online Gambling in Rhode Island: Our Prediction

While many U.S. states back away from online casino gaming, Rhode Island is about to join just six other territories in legalizing and regulating the industry.

This year will see the launch of Bally’s online apps at both of RI’s commercial casinos in Lincoln and Tiverton. This is a welcome start and will give players more choice when deciding how to gamble.

However, it’s unlikely that Rhode Island will rapidly expand its online gambling industry outside of casino premises.

The purpose, first, is to understand how popular app-based betting is before rolling it out to all four corners of the state.

This means players in Woonsocket or Weekapaug who don’t want to travel to a casino will have to stick with offshore casino sites for now.

As for Bally’s, the corporation doesn’t seem interested in expanding outside of its premises for now.

Much of the work heading towards 2024 has been around developing a top-class app for visitors at Lincoln and Tiverton.

Bally’s is using Stakelogic to operate its live casino, meaning live dealer blackjack, roulette, and baccarat will be available.

Perhaps the biggest legislative advancement for the next few years will be around online poker. If RI joins the MSIGA then players will be able to compete with others from fellow-member states.

Rhode Island Online Gambling FAQ

Want to know more? Here are some responses to the questions our readers regularly ask us:

Disclaimer

As part of our commitment to transparency, it’s important to disclose that this website engages in affiliate marketing. This means that when you click on our links to online casinos and make a purchase or sign up, we may earn a commission.

These commissions contribute to the upkeep of our platform and the creation of valuable content. While we aim to provide accurate and unbiased information, it’s crucial to note that our reviews are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.

Additionally, we advocate for responsible gambling practices and encourage users to gamble responsibly. If you believe you may have a gambling problem, please seek assistance from relevant support services.