Rhode Island Sports Betting
Rhode Island was the eighth state in the US to legalize sports betting after the US Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA). This decision ended Nevada’s near-monopoly on sports betting, allowing each US state to write its own gambling laws and pass legislation. Currently, both online and retail sportsbooks are available in RI.
Lawmakers held the first hearing on sports betting in the Rhode Island General Assembly one day after the US Supreme Court’s decision on PASPA. It took just over a month for Governor Gina Raimondo to sign SB 2045 into law, legalizing sports betting at Rhode Island’s two land-based casinos, operated by Rhode Island Lottery with a single-operator model.
The Rhode Island Lottery appointed IGT and William Hill (now bought by, and rebranded as Caesars Sportsbook) as commercial partners in August 2018 to deliver retail sportsbooks. These locations opened in November 2018 when the House Speaker, Senate President, and Twin Rivers Chairman placed Rhode Island’s first bets at Twin Rivers, Lincoln.
Mobile betting was legalized and launched a year later as Gov. Raimondo signed SB 37 into law. Online sportsbooks initially required in-person registration, which was removed in July 2020 when HB 8097 became law. Sportsbook Rhode Island, operated by the Rhode Island Lottery, is the only online sportsbook available.
| Regulator | Launch Date | Tax Rate | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Lottery (RI Lottery) | November 26, 2018 | 51% | Online or In Person |
Read our complete guide to Rhode Island sports betting, including an overview of where you can bet, how to find the best sportsbooks and which sports to be on. We’ve also included some of the best sports events in RI and the latest sports betting legislation.
Sports Betting Operators in Rhode Island
The RI Lottery operates the only licensed sportsbook in Rhode Island, simply named Sportsbook Rhode Island, which launched on September 4, 2019. The sportsbook is powered by IGT and William Hill, with the latter now owned by Caesars Sportsbook. This means the sportsbook offers some of the same markets and odds as Caesars.
| Name | Operator | Launch Date |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsbook Rhode Island (Sportsbook RI) | Rhode Island Lottery | September 4, 2019 |
Because the Rhode Island Lottery operates a monopoly on sportsbooks, popular betting brands like DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM are unlikely to launch in RI the future. This means bettors won’t be able to access features like welcome bonuses and promotions, which Sportsbook Rhode Island doesn’t supply.
Sports Betting in Rhode Island
Online and retail sports betting is legal in Rhode Island through the state-run sportsbook, Sportsbook Rhode Island. The Ocean State became the eighth jurisdiction in the US to legalize sports betting in June 2018. Find out more about how to bet legally in RI below.
Is online sports betting legal in Rhode Island?
Yes, online sports betting is legal in Rhode Island. The state’s first and only online sportsbook went live in March 2019 when Sportsbook Rhode Island launched its desktop site and betting app. You can use this platform to bet anywhere in RI.Â
What sports can you bet on in Rhode Island?
Using the state’s only online sportsbook app, Sportsbook Rhode Island, you can bet on a wide variety of professional sports. This includes football, baseball, basketball, and ice hockey. You can also bet on soccer, golf, MMA, NASCAR, and other sports.
College sports betting is legal, including bet types like player props. However, betting on in-state teams is prohibited. You also can’t bet on games held in RI, even if those games don’t feature Rhode Island teams.
Who can bet on sports in RI?
You must be 18 or older and present within Rhode Island’s borders to bet on sports. However, the Rhode Island Lottery prohibits anyone self-excluding from gambling and who is barred by criminal record from betting. In addition, you can’t wager if you work for a professional or amateur sports team. This extends to employees of leagues that create rules for sports, like the NFL or NCAA.
Anyone employed by a casino with a Sportsbook Rhode Island or by the betting operator cannot place bets.Â
Official League Data usage in Rhode Island
Most US Sportsbooks use an official data usage provider for live stats and data. The leading provider of official league data is Genius Sports, which partners with several US sportsbooks to provide stats and data.
IGT, which has partnered with the RI lottery on the Sportsbook RI platform, has a partnership with Genius Sports to provide Official League Data for its platforms. You will get the latest stats when betting in-play with Sportsbook Rhode Island.
Rhode Island Sports Betting Handle
A sports betting handle indicates the amount of money wagered in a state over a specific period. Handles are a good way of examining the popularity of sports betting in a state. Despite falling during the Covid-19 pandemic, the betting handle in Rhode Island bounced back to pre-pandemic levels and continues to grow, reaching $60 million for the first time in October 2021.
| Month | Total Handle |
|---|---|
| November 2018 | $682,714 |
| December 2018 | $13,087,999 |
| January 2019 | $19,051,125 |
| February 2019 | $20,686,618 |
| March 2019 | $23,582,716 |
| April 2019 | $16,859,818 |
| May 2019 | $18,900,152 |
| June 2019 | $14,736,667 |
| July 2019 | $8,321,947 |
| August 2019 | $10,060,066 |
| September 2019 | $22,195,789 |
| October 2019 | $28,281,024 |
| November 2019 | $31,465,062 |
| December 2019 | $31,670,511 |
| January 2020 | $26,939,692 |
| February 2020 | $28,147,862 |
| March 2020 | $8,949,157 |
| April 2020 | $591,377 |
| May 2020 | $1,533,114 |
| June 2020 | $2,032,803 |
| July 2020 | $6,738,626 |
| August 2020 | $23,116,965 |
| September 2020 | $31,293,150 |
| October 2020 | $34,704,413 |
| November 2020 | $35,098,445 |
| December 2020 | $22,770,472 |
| January 2021 | $39,817,327 |
| February 2021 | $34,110,104 |
| March 2021 | $38,583,919 |
| April 2021 | $29,040,966 |
| May 2021 | $28,252,139 |
| June 2021 | $29,468,571 |
| July 2021 | $22,095,960 |
| August 2021 | $24,042,834 |
| September 2021 | $41,203,997 |
| October 2021 | $60,158,844 |
| November 2021 | $52,747,831 |
| December 2021 | $54,935,498 |
| January 2022 | $58,614,487 |
| February 2022 | $42,143,261 |
| March 2022 | $45,766,958 |
| April 2022 | $40,186,632 |
| May 2022 | $41,103,489 |
| June 2022 | $34,229,823 |
| July 2022 | $25,208,531 |
| August 2022 | $27,744,694 |
| September 2022 | $41,670,257 |
| October 2022 | $55,527,937 |
Rhode Island Legislation Timeline
- May 14, 2018: The US Supreme Court overturns the PASPA, allowing states like Rhode Island to legalize sports betting.
- May 15, 2018: Lawmakers hold a hearing to discuss sports betting a day after the PASPA decision. Rhode Island Lottery officials present a request for a proposal to partner with a technology provider to bring a sportsbook to RI.
- June 22, 2018: Gov. Raimondo signs SB 2045 into law, which allows Rhode Island to legalize sports betting.
- August 28, 2018: The Rhode Island Lottery appoints IGT and commercial partner William Hill US to provide sports betting services at RI casinos.
- November 26, 2018: House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, President of the Senate Dominick Ruggerio, and Twin Rivers Casino Chairman John Taylor place the first bets at the Twin Rivers Lincoln Casino, launching sports betting in RI.
- March 25, 2019: Gov. Raimondo signs SB 37 into law, which allows Sportsbook Rhode Island to operate online sports betting.
- September 4, 2019: The Sportsbook Rhode Island mobile app and desktop site launches. Players must register in person at a brick-and-mortar casino to bet on the app.
- July 22, 2020: Gov. Raimondo signs HB 8097 into law, which removes the in-person registration requirement for mobile betting. The sports betting handle surges by 231.5% after the removal of this requirement.
- June 20, 2022: Governor Daniel McKee signs SB 2496 into law, requiring state casinos to pay Rhode Island Lottery $200,000 annually to finance problem gambling programs in RI.
Rhode Island Land-Based Sportsbooks
Online sports betting is very convenient, as you can bet on your favorite sports from anywhere in Rhode Island. However, there are also retail sportsbooks in RI which offer a unique betting experience. You can enjoy placing bets with Sportsbook Rhode Island at two brick-and-mortar casinos. You’ll find huge TV screens displaying the latest action, along with amenities like bars and restaurants to enjoy. Retail sportsbooks are often packed with hundreds of other sports fans, creating an exciting atmosphere on game day. Here are the retail sportsbooks in Rhode Island.
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Sportsbook Rhode Island | Bally’s Twin River Lincoln |
| Sportsbook Rhode Island | Bally’s Twin River Tiverton |
FAQs
Yes, you can bet on sports in Rhode Island. Online and retail sports betting, with retail sportsbooks going live in November 2018. Both sportsbooks are located in land-based casinos and are operated by Sportsbook Rhode Island. Sportsbook Rhode Island is also the state’s only online betting platform, going live in September 2019.
Yes, you can bet on horse racing in Rhode Island. You can wager on simulcast horse races at racebooks at either of the state’s two casinos, Bally’s Tiverton and Bally’s Lincoln. Alternatively, you can bet online using a licensed site like TVG or TwinSpires.
Online and retail sports betting are legal in Rhode Island. In addition, you can bet on horse racing using an advance deposit wagering site or by visiting a RI casino. Casino gambling is also legal, including slots and table games.
No, DraftKings Sportsbook is not available in Rhode Island. DraftKings has no license to operate in RI. However, you can visit Rhode Island’s neighboring state, Connecticut, to use DraftKings Sportsbook legally.
No, you can’t use BetMGM in Rhode Island. The only sportsbook licensed to operate in RI is Sportsbook Rhode Island.
FanDuel Sportsbook is not available in Rhode Island. However, you can go to the neighboring state of Connecticut to use FanDuel’s betting app. In addition, you can travel to the Mohegan Sun Casino and play at a FanDuel retail sportsbook.
The Rhode Island Lottery oversees sportsbook betting in the state. The Lottery operates Sportsbook Rhode Island, the only betting site available. IGT and Caesars Sportsbook technology power the sportsbook.