Rhode Island Gambling & Betting 2021

Rhode Island was one of the first states to legalize sports betting. However, the state does not allow online casinos or poker sites to operate within its borders. Meanwhile, daily fantasy sports and the state lottery are legal betting options in Rhode Island, with a number of different providers available. You must be above the age of 18 to participate in any form of betting in Rhode Island.

Online Casino in Rhode Island

Online casinos are prohibited in Rhode Island. Even with the state’s decision to allow betting on sport, there has been no ease on the restrictions regarding casino sites.

However, Rhode Island does have two land-based casino venues in the state that you can visit if you’re over the age of 21 to play a variety of games, including blackjack, roulette, and other classic casino titles. The state also allows social casinos where users can play games for credits that have no monetary value.

Sports Betting in Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, sports betting is legal and has been for some time. Only two licenses were granted to The Twin River Management Group, which runs both casinos in the state.

At first, bets were only allowed to be placed in person. However, the state now allows wagers to be placed online. Most types of sports bets are allowed, including betting on all professional and college sports such as football. Single, parlay, propositional and future bets are available for a variety of sports.

Online Poker in Rhode Island

Rhode Island prohibits online poker within the state. The lawmakers are stringent in their policy against poker full stop, limiting the practice to the two casinos based in the state.

Twin River Casino allows players to participate in 7-Card Stud and Texas Hold’em games along with three-card poker and let-it-ride poker in their venues. However, online poker games will have to wait as discussions have not taken place for it to follow in the footsteps of sports betting.

Daily Fantasy in Rhode Island

Daily fantasy sports have been legal since their inception in Rhode Island. The state allows users to play for monetary gains within the realms of the law. Unlike sports betting, there is no regulator that governs the practice.

It has allowed sites of the nature of Draftkings and FanDuel to be utilized by Rhode Island citizens for daily games on professional sports and the major leagues in the United States, including the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. Age restrictions remain despite the lack of regulation as you must be 18 to play fantasy games online.

Esports in Rhode Island

It is not legal to bet on esports in Rhode Island. Esports are not classed as a professional sports league and can have players under the age of 18 in their respective leagues. Therefore, the state does not allow betting on esports within its borders.

Lottery in Rhode Island

Online lottery games are legal in Rhode Island. You can buy tickets and play lottery games at the Rhode Island Lottery website with an account. Again, you must be over the age of 18 to purchase a ticket in person or to enter the lottery online.

Horse Racing Betting in Rhode Island

Although Rhode Island doesn’t have a horse racing venue, betting on this sport is legal in the state. With no racetrack here, you can instead put your wagers on through off-track betting facilities in casinos. The Ocean State has NYRA Bets operating in it if you want to place a horse racing bet online.

Rhode Island Gambling Sites 

Want to know more about Rhode Island gambling laws, taxes and development? Follow updates at statelaws.findlaw.com/rhode-island-law.html