
Author:
Matt
Last Updated:
09/02/2025
Topic:
US States
Experiences:
LV native and table games whizz
Topic:
US States
Experiences:
LV native and table games whizz
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Here at LasVegas-How-To, we know how difficult and confusing it can be to wrap your head around all the different rules and laws in place for online gambling in the United States. So, is online gambling legal in Rhode Island?
Cutting to the chase, online gambling is legal in Rhode Island, to an extent. Fans of sports betting and fantasy sports will be happy to know that wagering on your favorite sports is completely legal in Rhode Island.
This is, first and foremost, an article for Rhode Island residents who wish to learn more about their state’s online gambling laws. It is for those who want to finally have a definitive answer to questions like ‘is online gambling legal in RI’, and ‘can I play online casino games in Rhode Island?’.
Not only is the aim of this article to shed some light on the somewhat confusing online gambling laws currently being upheld by the state of Rhode Island, but it’s also been written so as to help you choose the best online gambling site in Rhode Island for you. We have plenty of tips and things to look out for when choosing your new favorite Rhode Island online gambling sites.
It really doesn’t matter what your gambling experience level is either. Whether you’re a gambling pro or a complete newbie, this article will provide you with everything you need to know about online gambling in Rhode Island and it’ll teach you a few things about gambling in Wyoming as well, there are many similarities between the two states.
We hope that by the end of this article, any confusion you may have regarding online gambling laws in Rhode Island will have been cleared up!
Back in the 1700s and early 1800s, placing a wager on the local lottery was considered to be a part of a citizen’s civic duty. However, in 1843, Rhode Island’s conservative political elite sought to outlaw all forms of gambling, and by 1896 they got their wish.
Things began to change in the 20th century, and in 1934 residents voted to pass a ballot that would legalize wagering on horse racing. Over the next 60/70 years or so, gambling in Rhode Island slowly returned, and by 1992 video lottery terminals – a fancy name for slot machines – were legalized.
In 2012, table games were legalized, bringing Rhode Island into the modern age of gambling. As of today, Twin Rivers Casino in Rhode Island has approximately 4,500 slot machines, making it the 7th largest slot provider in the whole of the US, rivaling many of the largest casinos on the Las Vegas strip!
This brings us to the curious case of online gambling laws in the Ocean state. Sports betting in Rhode Island was made 100% legal in 2018 when the US Supreme Court declared a decades-old ban on sports betting unconstitutional. Online sports betting was launched that year, as were numerous sports betting apps.
In the summer of 2020, the state got rid of the rule that people had to register for a sports betting site in person, so now anyone can sign up for a sports betting account online, providing they are of a legal age to do so.
Fans of online casino sites will be disappointed, however. You can visit a physical casino and bet in-person there, but as of 2021, it doesn’t look as though things will be changing anytime soon when it comes to legalizing online casinos in Rhode Island.
That doesn’t mean things won’t change in the future, but for now, the only way you’re going to be getting your online gambling fix in Rhode Island is by betting on all your favorite sports!
Considering that sports betting sites are the only legal ones that you can use when gambling in Rhode Island, we’re going to be recommending a sportsbook that we think you should check out, today. The online gambling site we’re recommending to you is called Sportsbook Rhode Island, and it’s basically what it says on the tin.
Based in Rhode Island itself, whilst this sportsbook doesn’t look as though it has any welcome bonuses to speak of, it’s still got an excellent sportsbook that will undoubtedly keep sports fans busy for a very long time.
Some of the sports you can bet on via Sportsbook Rhode Island include, but are not limited to, soccer, hockey, basketball, baseball, football, and boxing. There are also a range of markets for you to wager on.
Taking a look at the site itself, you can clearly see that the site is fully licensed, has 24/7 customer service available, and looks to be safe and secure. There is also an extensive FAQ section too, where you should be able to find out everything you need to know about the site, what payment methods it accepts, and what other rules or restrictions are currently in place.
Whilst it may not be for everyone, we think it’s a site that is well worth checking out, especially if you are a fan of online sports betting and are a resident of Rhode Island.
Unsure how to go about ensuring that you have a fair, safe, and secure gambling experience when gambling online in Rhode Island? Here are five tips on how to make sure that you have the best experiences possible. Our tips really are universal, so you could just as easily apply them to gambling in Alaska or to any other US state:
We hold websites for online gambling in Rhode Island to a very high standard, and we have many boxes that need checking off before we are happy to recommend an operator to you, the readers. Here are some of the things we take into consideration when evaluating operators for Rhode Island residents, but they’re equally suited to those of you gambling in Vermont or another US state:
What use is a website that is slow, prone to crashing, and difficult to use? The answer is, of course, none at all. We ensure that every website we recommend to our readers is user-friendly, super easy to use and navigate, and has excellent loading speeds. Bonus points for online casinos RI who have an equally as excellent mobile/tablet app too.
Who doesn’t want to be rewarded for sticking with a certain online gambling site for so long? Surely a VIP program for loyal customers won’t go amiss, will it? And neither will exciting bonuses that enhance your enjoyment of online gambling in RI. We keep an eye out for any bonuses, promotions, and loyalty programs an operator may be offering, and only recommend them if we think they’re going to be of any benefit to our loyal readers!
Because online casino gambling is illegal in Rhode Island (sorry, you won’t be getting a Rhode Island online casino list anytime soon), we’re going to have to focus on the state’s online sportsbooks for now. We only recommend the best sportsbooks around. The ones that have plenty of sports to wager on, countless markets, and live streaming capabilities will always rank higher than those who don’t have those things!
The more payment methods available, the better. It’s as simple as that. A variety of payment methods gives customers the flexibility to choose how they deposit and withdraw funds to and from their accounts. A gambling site that offers customers the ability to make payments via bank transfer, e-wallets, and prepaid cards will be recommended more than those who don’t.
At the end of the day, picking the right operator for you is going to be a personal journey that only you can embark on. We can give you all the tips you need, but it’s up to you to make that final decision before registering with your new RI gambling site, or selecting the best options for online gambling in Kansas. To make your decision making easier, here are some things you should ask yourself before making your final choice:
This might seem like an odd question, but bear with us. If you’re a daytime gambler then choosing a new online gambling site will be much easier. But if you’re a night owl, it’ll be harder. Why? Because if you’re a night owl, you’re going to need to register with a website that has 24/7 customer service.
What happens if you’re gambling away at 3 am and something goes wrong? Without 24/7 customer service, you’re going to have to wait hours until it’s fixed, by which point, it might be too late. Make sure the operator you choose has 24/7 customer service. Trust us, it could come in useful!
It’s a fair question. You’re spending lots of money to play on your chosen site, you’re going to want to be rewarded for it every so often, aren’t you? Some of the best online gambling operators will have a VIP program available for their loyal customers, which will see them receive extra little bonuses just for sticking around.
These could be free bets, extra spins, or enhanced odds. If that sounds like something you’d be interested in, make sure you check out the promotions pages of every operator you evaluate to see if they have a program in place to reward loyal, existing customers, like you!
Some people like to bet big and win big, and that person could well be you! So the last thing you want is to have to put up with annoying restrictions that limit how much you can spend and win per day on your chosen online gambling site. To ensure that you don’t have to put up with restrictions, make sure you check out the terms and conditions section of all the sites you’re evaluating, just so you know you’re not going to run into a brick wall when you’re on a betting streak in the near future!
And there you have it! Everything you hopefully need to know when it comes to online gambling, Rhode Island style. Whilst the current restrictions on online casinos is less than ideal, if you’re a fan of sports betting then you’ll definitely be able to enjoy yourself on your gambling journey here!
And now you have all the tips and tricks we’ve provided you with, you’ll be able to go out, evaluate, and find the perfect online gambling site in Rhode Island for you in no time at all!
Remember to keep checking back here at LasVegas-How-To for all the best reviews, rankings, and news regarding all things online gambling in Rhode Island!