Sports-betting-in-Rhode-Island1

Rhode Island might be small, but it’s got a mighty big place in the sports betting world. The Ocean State (beachside of its scenic beauty) was ahead of the curve when it came to legalizing sports betting in New England. However, much like Rhode Island’s independent spirit, they’ve taken a unique approach to the betting landscape with a state-run model rather than a competitive marketplace.

Stay with us for a deep dive into everything you need to know about betting in Rhode Island. Over the next few minutes, we’ll break down the state’s specific model and what sets it apart. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, this guide will help you navigate Rhode Island’s betting scene with ease.

Is Sports Betting Legal In Rhode Island?

Yes, sports betting has been legal in Rhode Island since 2018 — right after the Supreme Court overturned the federal bad. However, it opted for a state-run model rather than opening up the market to multiple operators.

The Rhode Island Lottery oversees all sports betting in the state, and they’ve partnered with William Hill and IGT to create Sportsbook Rhode Island — the only licensed app in the state. The sportsbook app is powered by IGT's platform, with William Hill managing the operational side. And while Williams Hill has its own betting app, this is not that.

There are also two retail sportsbooks at Twin River Casino in Lincoln and Tiverton Casino in Tiverton for those who want the in-person experience.

International Online Sportsbooks Available In Rhode Island

Rhode Island has legalized sports betting, providing residents with access to various wagering options. However, it’s crucial for bettors to recognize the limitations of state-regulated sportsbooks. In Rhode Island, these sportsbooks cannot accept bets on political events or entertainment props, and there are specific restrictions regarding in-state college teams like Brown University and the University of Rhode Island. This can limit your betting opportunities, especially if you’re interested in local college sports or specialized events.

International sportsbooks offer a viable alternative for those seeking a broader range of betting options. These offshore platforms allow you to place bets on political outcomes, wager on college sports without the same limitations, and access a variety of niche markets that Rhode Island’s legal sportsbooks don’t provide. Whether you want to bet on local college games or significant political events, international sportsbooks expand your betting horizons.

Concerns about security are common, but the international sportsbooks we recommend have been rigorously vetted for reliability and safety. Our team has used these platforms for years, ensuring they provide fast payouts, fair odds, and exceptional customer service. By opting for these trusted offshore operators, you can enhance your betting experience while enjoying peace of mind regarding the safety of your funds and personal information.

Legal Online Sportsbooks Available In Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, there’s only one game in town, and that’s Sportsbook Rhode Island. No one besides them is allowed to offer sports betting.

Rhode Island Online Sportsbook Comparison

Rhode-Island-betting-odds

We can’t compare and contrast sportsbooks like we usually like doing here — not when Sportsbook Rhode Island runs the market by themselves. So let’s just look at the platform. Is Sportsbook Rhode Island any good?

The answer is, no, not really. We’ve tried out all the best betting apps the industry has to offer and Sportsbook Rhode Island is nothing like those. Nothing! It’s a pretty ugly-looking app with little to no flair. It works though so I guess we got to give it that.

The lack of competition also means the sportsbook doesn’t really have to offer promotions. Free-play deals are used solely to attract bettors away from other platforms, but there’s no need to here due to the monopoly.

One more knock about Sportsbook Rhode Island: the live-betting options are few and far in-between. You’ll find in-play for “Big 4” sports in America, but international options (e.g. soccer) are pretty bare. It makes for a lackluster on-the-go betting experience.

Rhode Island Quick Facts

FactRhode Island
Launch date:2018
Legal age:21 Years Old
Online sports betting✅ Yes
Number of licenses1
Remote registration✅ Yes
Retail sportsbooks✅ Yes
Retail casinos✅ Yes
Online casino sites✅ Yes
Online poker✅ Yes
Betting on college sports✅ Yes
Betting on esports✅ Yes
State population1 million
State regulatorThe Rhode Island Lottery
Last verified✅ September 12
Last updated on: November 21, 2024

What You Can’t Bet On In Rhode Island?

There are some clear no-nos when betting in Rhode Island laws-wise. Here’s what’s not allowed:

Local college sports: Rhode Island bettors are not allowed to wager on in-state college teams, meaning you won’t be able to place bets on schools like Providence College or the University of Rhode Island. However, betting on out-of-state college teams is fully allowed.

Non-sporting events: Just like every other state, you won’t be able to bet on non-sporting events in Rhode Island. This includes political elections, award shows, or scripted entertainment like WWE. The betting market in Rhode Island stays focused strictly on real athletic competitions.

If you’re interested in betting on markets that aren’t available in Rhode Island, offshore sportsbooks are the perfect alternatives. In fact, we’d argue these are better options for in-state bettors for a litany of reasons beyond just betting markets.

Who Can Legally Bet in Rhode Island?

There are more things you can do in Rhode Island betting-wise than not. Here are all the things possible inside the tiny state:

Legal age: To legally place sports bets in Rhode Island, you must be 18 years old. This is in contrast to most other states, where the minimum age is typically set at 21.

Mobile betting: Yes, Rhode Island allows mobile betting through the lone licensed app. This means you can place bets from anywhere within state lines (as small as they are), whether you’re at home, out with friends, or driving to visit another New England state.

Remote registration: Signing up is quick and easy. You can complete the entire registration process online via the sportsbook app — no need to visit a physical location. It only takes a few minutes to get started too.

Taxable winnings: Rhode Island does tax gambling winnings so you’ll need to report any earnings on your state income taxes. Additionally, the federal government requires all gambling winnings to be reported as income so it’s a double tax of sorts. Uncle Sam always wins.

Rhode Island Casinos and Sportsbooks

There are only two casinos in all of Rhode Island, and those are the only locations where sports betting is licensed and authorized. There are no other physical venues where 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.

Tiverton Casino Sportsbook also 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. At the very least, it's a fun betting experience being there with other bettors.

Latest Rhode Island Legal Betting Updates

Nov 21, 2024 11:29 AM

There are optimistic expectations that state pro-betting lobbyists are working on the development of a mobile betting platform.

Rhode Island Sports Betting Timeline

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.

How To Bet On Sports In Rhode Island

We’ll give Sportsbook Rhode Island this: they do support the major sports betting markets well. You won’t miss much betting action on the following sports:

How To Bet On Football In Rhode Island

Football is the number-one driver of sports betting in Rhode Island and every other state too. You better have the bankroll ready to attack football season between September and December, this goes for the NFL and NCAA alike. And make sure you still have cash on hand ready for February’s Super Bowl — the biggest betting event of the entire year.

How To Bet On Basketball In Rhode Island

Basketball betting is alive and well in Rhode Island with a laser focus on both the NBA and college hoops. This is a sport where we urge bettors to try in-play betting. It is largely supported at Sportsbook Rhode Island (NBA at least) and it’s just a thrill ride or an experience. Basketball, more than any other sport because of its high scoring, creates a top-notch live betting atmosphere.

How To Bet On Baseball In Rhode Island

Baseball offers Rhode Island bettors some of the most consistent action throughout the year. With 162 regular-season games in Major League Baseball, there are daily opportunities to place bets. Red Sox games, in particular, draw a lot of interest from Rhode Islanders, making MLB betting a staple during the summer months. Whether it’s moneylines, run lines, or prop bets, baseball provides a near-endless stream of betting possibilities.

How To Bet On Fighting In Rhode Island

Combat sports are on almost every weekend. That’s when MMA and boxing promotions almost always have fight cards. We’re talking cards with a dozen or so fights so there’s money to be made — not just on the main event, but more so on the undercards. These sports offer a lot of gems betting value-wise if bettors can spot them, especially in the undercard.

Betting on Rhode Island Teams

Rhode-Island-teams-betting

Rhode Island may house any major pro sports teams of its own, but that doesn’t stop locals from being passionate fans. Most Rhode Islanders throw their support behind Boston’s pro teams, especially the Patriots, Celtics, and Red Sox. There are also many New York retirees so they bring their fandom of NYC teams too. Given how big those two markets are, you’re not going to struggle to find Boston or New York bets on any betting app.

Betting on Rhode Island NCAA Teams

When it comes to college sports, Rhode Island has two standout programs: the University of Rhode Island (URI) Rams and the Providence College Friars. Both schools have strong basketball programs that draw significant attention, especially during the college hoops season. Both are routinely competing in March Madness and when they do, the betting frenzy really kicks up a notch among locals.

Rhode Island Betting Revenue Statistics

Revenue numbers from February 2024 caused some concern about the state of the sports betting industry inside the state. Despite this being Super Bowl month, Rhode Island dropped 19% from January 2024. But even more troubling, the year-over-year figure was down 10% from 2023. This is not in lockstep with other states which are still seeing huge growth month to month.

Could this be because of a bad product in Sportsbook Rhode Island? We can’t help but think it is. We’re confident a free and open betting market would turn things around. However, there appears to be little interest in opening things up from Rhode Island.

Other Types of Betting in Rhode Island

In addition to sports betting, Rhode Island offers several other legal gambling options for those looking to try their luck. The state is home to two full-service casinos — Twin River Casino Hotel in Lincoln and Tiverton Casino Hotel in Tiverton. These casinos offer a wide range of casino-style gaming, including slots, poker, blackjack, and other table games. We’re not going to say this is the full Las Vegas experience, but it’s not that far off.

Rhode Island also allows betting on horse races, although the state no longer has active racetracks. Regardless, bettors can throw money on simulcast races from across the country at the Twin River and Tiverton locations. This allows racing enthusiasts to participate in betting on major events like the Kentucky Derby and other national horse racing competitions.

Additionally, Rhode Island has a state lottery, which includes big national games like Powerball and Mega Millions, along with state-specific games such as scratch-offs and daily draws. You can buy lottery tickets at the usual spots like gas stations and mini stores.

Sports Betting Rules In Each State

Looking to place bets beyond Rhode Island? We’ve got everything you need to know! Choose a state from the list below, and we’ll guide you through the legal betting options and regulations.

Responsible Gaming in Rhode Island

Before you dive into betting, a word of caution: always bet responsibly. Gambling should be and usually is fun, but it’s also crucial to keep things in perspective. When betting starts to impact your finances or well-being, it’s no longer just a game — it’s a problem.

One of the best ways to stay on track is by setting a clear budget for yourself. Only wager what you can afford to lose, making sure it’s money that doesn’t affect your essentials like rent, bills, or groceries. Sticking to that budget will be the hardest part, especially when you’re tempted to chase losses, but maintaining discipline is key to keeping betting enjoyable.

If you feel gambling is starting to affect you negatively — if you’re overspending, feeling stressed, or losing control — Rhode Island provides helpful resources. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you or someone you know needs support:

Rhode Island Problem Gambling Helpline

Confidential help is available 24/7 for those struggling with gambling addiction. Call 1-877-9-GAMBLE (1-877-942-6253) for assistance.

Gamblers Anonymous Rhode Island (https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/locations)

A peer-led group offering support meetings across the state. Visit Gamblers Anonymous to find meeting details and additional resources.

Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (https://bhddh.ri.gov/mental-health/individual-and-family-information/links-and-resources)
Offers information on problem gambling services and treatment options.

National resources are also out there:

Gamble Aware (https://www.gambleaware.org/)

A non-profit organization providing resources and support for individuals struggling with gambling addiction.

International Center for Responsible Gaming (https://www.icrg.org/)

The International Center for Responsible Gaming (CRG) is a research institution dedicated to promoting safe gambling practices and addressing gambling-related issues.

24/7 Gambling Support Line (https://www.ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/about-the-national-problem-gambling-helpline/)

A round-the-clock helpline offering immediate assistance and guidance for those experiencing gambling-related problems.