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Sports betting in Rhode Island became legal in June 2018, shortly after the fall of PASPA. Betting was first only legalized in-person at a couple of casinos, and it wasn’t until late 2019 that the state launched its first online betting platform.
The only legal requirements for participating in online sports betting in Rhode Island are that you are at least 18 years old, within the state’s borders, and not signed up for the self-exclusion program. You do not need to be a resident of Rhode Island, just physically present in the state when placing bets.
Rhode Island currently offers only one online option for bettors—a state-run sportsbook simply dubbed Sportsbook Rhode Island. There are, however, several sites dedicated to daily fantasy sports and betting on horse racing.
This guide will cover all important details regarding sports betting in Rhode Island, including details about its online sportsbook, physical sportsbooks, laws and regulations, and more.
Sportsbook Rhode Island – The Only Legal Sportsbook in RI
Intro Promo
The Sportsbook Rhode Island doesn't currently offer an intro bonus for new customers
When Governor Gina Raimondo signed Senate Bill 37, the Rhode Island Lottery gained approval to launch the state’s first official online sportsbook.
The platform called Sportsbook Rhode Island is currently the only option RI bettors have for online and mobile betting. William Hill and IGT partnered with the Rhode Island Lottery to power the sportsbook.
You can find dozens of events across popular sports such as football, basketball, baseball, hockey, tennis, table tennis, NASCAR, boxing, and soccer on the website.
Apart from using the website, customers that like betting on the go can download the sportsbook’s app available for both iOS and Android devices via their respective app stores.
Each event on Sportsbook Rhode Island has various markets, from main bet types such as moneylines, point spreads, and totals, to a plethora of team and player props. Bettors can also enjoy live betting on most events.
While Sportsbook Rhode Island is relatively easy to use and has all of the main markets, it does come with a few shortcomings—mainly the absence of a welcome offer (such as a risk-free bet or deposit bonus) and the lack of advanced features found on other betting sites like FanDuel and DraftKings.
How to Register for Sportsbook Rhode Island
Here’s how to start betting on RI’s only sports betting site:
- Go to sportsbetrhodeisland.com
- Click on Join Now in the upper right corner and complete a four-step registration with your personal details, including the last four digits of your SSN.
- Once you finish the registration, check the inbox of your provided email to activate your account. If the message is not found, check your spam folder.
- Make sure to install a geolocation tool on your PC as proof that you’ll be placing bets from within Rhode Island (if registering on your computer).
- Log in, go to the deposit page, choose one of the accepted payment solutions, and type in the deposit amount.
- Explore the sportsbook’s range of sports and markets and start placing your bets.
The process for playing on mobile is pretty much the same; only you’ll first need to download and install the app.
Pros
- The only legal sportsbook in Rhode Island
- Pre-match and live betting on all the most popular American sports
- Competitive odds
- Intuitive website design
- Easy-to-use iOS and Android apps
Cons
- No bonuses for new customers
- Lack of advanced betting options and features
- Not a lot of in-play bet types
Physical Sportsbooks in Rhode Island
A year before online betting got the green light, Rhode Island legalized sports betting at two of its physical casinos. Here’s where to find them:
- Twin River Casino Hotel
- Address: 100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, RI
- Date of launch: November 2018
- Working hours: Monday to Friday from 12 PM to 8:30 PM; Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 9 PM
- Tiverton Casino Hotel
- Address: 777 Tiverton Casino Blvd, Tiverton, RI
- Date of launch: December 2018
- Working hours: Monday to Friday from 10 AM to 8:30 PM; Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 9 PM
Rhode Island Sports Betting Timeline
The age of legalized sports betting in Rhode Island started in 2018 when it became the eighth state to legalize and regulate this type of gambling. Here are all the key dates that have shaped the sports betting industry in RI thus far:
- May 2018: The US Supreme Court abolishes PASPA, allowing individual states to regulate sports wagering according to their own rules.
- June 2018: Governor Gina Raimondo signs a budget bill that effectively legalized sports betting in the state.
- November 2018: Twin River Casino in Lincoln accepts the first official sports wager in Rhode Island.
- December 2018: The state’s second retail sportsbook is launched at Tiverton Casino Hotel.
- March 2019: Senate Bill 37 passes into law, allowing online and mobile sports betting in the state. The authority is given to the Rhode Island Lottery to launch and operate the online sportsbook platform.
- September 2019: Sportsbook Rhode Island launches a mobile betting app, but patrons first must register at a physical location.
- July 2020: Bills S 2919 and H 8097 are passed, ending the requirement for in-person registration.
Rhode Island Sports Betting Rules and Regulations
To legally bet in Rhode Island, you must comply with various rules and regulations set out by the Rhode Island Lottery. Here are some of the main ones you should know about.
Who Is Allowed to Bet in Rhode Island?
All people 18 or older physically present in Rhode Island and not registered with any gambling self-exclusion programs can freely place real-money sports wagers on the state’s official sportsbook website or at any of the two physical sportsbooks.
You do not need to be a resident of Rhode Island to place bets, just physically present in the state at the time. While registering at Sportsbook Rhode Island, customers will need to provide certain details used for identity verification, such as:
- Full name
- Email address
- Date of birth
- Address
- Last four digits of their social security number
How Are Rhode Island Sportsbooks Licensed and Taxed?
Rhode Island’s land-based casinos and an online sportsbook are all licensed by the Rhode Island Lottery. The state has a revenue-sharing model signed with its two casinos, collecting 51% of their revenue resulting from sports wagers. In turn, the casinos annually receive $100,000 for hosting the state’s legal sportsbooks.
The collected revenue is placed in the state’s general fund and allocated to various branches, including education, healthcare, and public safety.
Is Geolocation Required?
Yes, all customers using Sportsbook Rhode Island website must install geo-location software on their device. This is unnecessary when using the sportsbook’s mobile app, as geo-location trackers are already embedded. You will likely just have to share your location with the app.
Are Any Types of Bets Not Allowed?
Rhode Island sportsbooks allow betting on most sports and events, with only one exception. Namely, betting on collegiate games that take place in Rhode Island is not allowed, as well as betting on Rhode Island-based college teams, regardless of where they play.
Rhode Island Sports Betting FAQs
Is sports betting legal in Rhode Island?
Yes, sports betting is legal in Rhode Island through the online and mobile sportsbooks and physical sportsbooks located in the state’s casinos.
When did sports betting in Rhode Island launch?
Sports betting in Rhode Island officially launched in November 2018 at the Twin River Casino.
When did the first online sportsbook in Rhode Island launch?
Sportsbook Rhode Island, the state’s only official sports betting site and app, launched in September 2019.
How old must I be to place sports bets in Rhode Island?
You must be at least 18 years old to place real-money sports wagers in the state.
Are there any off-limit bets in Rhode Island?
Betting is not allowed on games featuring any Rhode Island college teams and on collegiate games taking place in Rhode Island.
Do I have to be a resident of Rhode Island to place sports wagers?
No, you only need to be physically present within the state’s borders with a valid account.
Is Bovada legal in Rhode Island?
Offshore sportsbooks like Bovada are technically not legal in the United States—including Rhode Island—as they aren’t licensed and regulated by states’ gaming commissions.
Is betting on horse racing available in Rhode Island?
Yes, you can legally place horse racing bets online in Rhode Island through websites like TVG and TwinSpires.
