Sports Betting In Rhode Island
Sports betting in Rhode Island is very popular even though there are no major professional or collegiate sports teams that play in the state. This, of course, has a lot to do with the size of the state, and while Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the country, residents have just as much opportunity to bet on sports than anywhere else in the United States, if not more, thanks to a couple of key developments in recent years.
Our aim in creating this handy guide to sports betting in Rhode Island is to give veteran sports bettors and newcomers to the hobby alike all the information you are likely to need to get started picking winners – and hopefully winning big – on your favorite sports. We will focus on helping residents to understand how to bet on sports in Rhode Island, where to do it, the laws involved (and how they are changing), the teams available to bet on, and much more. At the end of this guide, you should be fully in the know about exactly what you are looking for.
How Does The Supreme Court Decision On PASPA Affect Rhode Island’s Sports Betting Laws?
The SCOTUS Justices ruled via a convincing 6-3 majority that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) represented a violation of the states’ rights, as defined by the 10th Amendment to the US Constitution. They made this decision in May 2018, which opened up the ability for states like Rhode Island to introduce sports betting bills with the chance to make them laws. As for Rhode Island specifically, legislators wasted no time and approve the measures, becoming the eight state in the country with an operating sports betting industry. This all derived from PASPA being overturned. Rhode Island was quick to roll out their sportsbooks and have been able to capitalize on the added tax revenue almost immediately.
Does Rhode Island Have Legal Land-Based Sports Gambling?
Rhode Island has land-based sports betting that is legal to residents and tourists alike. The two casinos in the state, Twin River Casino and Tiverton Casino, are the only licensed sportsbooks in the state and it doesn’t look like this will change anytime soon. Twin River has been the most popular of the two, accounting for about three-fourths of all betting action seen in the state since their launch. If you ever come across a venue that is offering land-based sports betting services and is not one of these casinos, do not engage with them. They are unlicensed and can get you in trouble for illegal gambling.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Rhode Island?
Online sports betting in Rhode Island was legalized when legislators moved forward with the land-based legalization as well. The state has undergone months of questions, though, concerning if what they did was in fact legal. Some legislators believed that a voter referendum was needed to expand into online gambling; however, Governor Gina Raimondo gave the final word, stating the operations are permitted in accordance with a previously approved voter referendum. Even still, it took a year and new bill to pass through the legislature to legalize state regulated online sports betting.
Even then, the state only has one online sportsbook operated by the state lottery. This means the only way to find other betting odds is to use trusted offshore online sportsbooks in R.I. As long as they are located outside of the country and have a regulatory body to oversee their business practices, there is nothing negative that can happen to you (other than losing a few dollars). These sites have been accepting Rhode Island players for over two decades and provide a legal and safe outlet for those who want to get away fr om the local books. Keep in mind that any wager you want to take on a Rhode Island collegiate team will need to be placed with an offshore site, as regulations for Rhode Island sports betting do not permit in-state collegiate wagering.
Rhode Island Sports Betting Laws + Statutes
The laws for sports betting in Rhode Island are rather straightforward after the rules were adopted in late 2018. The sports betting laws were created well before PASPA was repealed in two 2012 and 2016 voter referendums. The citizens approved the state’s ability to create laws and regulations with the hopes that PASPA would soon be repealed and further passed RI SB 2045. That legalized land-based sports betting but it wasn’t until spring of 2019 when RI SB 37 was passed and the state could regulate its own online sports betting site.
Any bettor aged 18 and older can participate in sports betting at the casinos. As we mentioned, betting on any college team that is from Rhode Island will not be accepted by any sportsbook, so players will have to use an offshore betting site to bet on the Rams. Any information on forms of prohibited gambling can be found in Rhode Island Code § 11-19-1.
Which Sports Betting Sites Accept Rhode Island Residents?
There are hundreds of sports betting sites out there that are open to Rhode Island residents because the state doesn’t prevent any online gambling operators outside of the country. Because there are a lot of options, it’s important for you to understand what makes certain sites better for Rhode Island sports bettors than others. To begin, any site you choose should be safe, reliable, easy to use, and fun. A site should also offer customer support, lots of betting options, and simple deposit-withdrawal features. But most importantly, to follow federal laws, they must be located offshore. To help you get started, we’ve included a list of Rhode Island’s top sports betting sites which are all regulated by their home country.
Cool Facts Regarding Rhode Island Online Sportsbooks
- Rhode Island has some of the most sports bettors per capita anywhere in the country.
- Putting a bet in at a Rhode Island sportsbook is perfectly legal, whether at a brick and mortar casino, the state’s only online sportsbook, or at a legal offshore sportsbook website.
- You can add hundreds of dollars to your bankroll with Rhode Island Sportsbook deposit bonuses using Bitcoin and other methods.
Bovada Sportsbook - Up to $250 In Free Bonus Money For Rhode Island Residents
Among the top providers of online sports betting services to the entire country, this website has earned its place in the industry and they certainly didn't get here overnight. Bovada is part of an online gaming brand that launched over 20 years ago. One of the best features that users often compliment Bovada on is their wide selection of deposit + payout methods. When funding accounts users can rely on popular forms of plastic as well as wiring cash through major wire transfer services. The same wire transfer services can be used for payouts along with a variety of others.
Sign up to receive a 50% bonus, worth up to $250 in free play. If you choose to use Bitcoin, you can actually gain a much larger promotion. Check the site for their promotional code as well as the terms and conditions. However, you can earn $500 in free play towards sports betting as well as $4500 in casino free play throughout multiple deposits.
SportsBetting's Sportsbook - Live In Game Betting In Rhode Island
With many online bookmakers competing for your attention, SportsBetting is one website that rises above the rest through their numerous features + unrivaled bonus promotions. Providing thousands of players with unmatched service for over 10 years, SportsBetting has been designed with one thing in mind...simplicity. Everything within this sportsbook works fluidly, and users that have never even bet online before often report no troubles from start to finish. Once users have provided the basic information needed to register for a free account, they will have the opportunity to log in to the sportsbook's cashier for the first time.
New members are rewarded with a 50% match, worth up to $1,000 in free play. Be sure to read through all of the terms and conditions as they include the deadline for when the free play must be used (30 days) as well as information on withdrawing and a rollover requirement. This promotion uses the code SB1000 and can be accessed only on your first deposit – so be sure to use it wisely.
BetOnline Sportsbook - One Of The Best Rhode Island Sportsbooks
BetOnline is a well-known sports betting site that knows exactly what sports Rhode Island residents find important which is why they frequently have betting lines + props for all teams in the New England area...Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins, UConn, Harvard, Boston College, and others. Besides having every sport under the Sun (including snooker + darts) available for sports betting in Rhode Island, BetOnline offers a heap of ways for users to place their bets, and we're not just talking about through different wager types. No matter where you are at home, at dinner, at work, at a bar, etc. BetOnline will make sure you will have the ability to place your wager.
They also lead the industry in sportsbooks that accept cryptocurrency. Most sites will accept Bitcoin, which is the standard across online crypto. However, BetOnline takes it a step further, allowing for Bitcoin Cash, DASH, Ethereum, and Litecoin transactions as well. They can even return your winnings back to your e-wallet should you choose this method. Take advantage of their crypto welcoming bonus, which gives a 100% match worth up to $1,000. Just use the code CRYPTO100.
Top Rhode Island Sports Betting Sites
Other Types Of Gambling Available In Rhode Island
Despite its size, Rhode Island is home to some high-gambling activity. The Twin River Casino, located in Lincoln, features live tables, slots, poker, roulette, and other games you would expect to find in any commercial casino. The same can be found at Tiverton Casino. In addition, Rhode Island has a healthy state lottery, who is also in charge of overseeing the sports betting industry.
Gambling enthusiasts have one other option aside from the local books: online gaming. Fortunately, there are numerous real-money websites Rhode Island players can sign up to and bet on sports. Keep in mind that all of these sites referenced above are a full-on online casino, offering odds on horse races as well as providing online slots, roulette, other table games, live-dealing card games, and more. Switching from one gambling activity to the next is made simple with these sites.
Does Rhode Island Allow Pari-Mutuel Betting?
Narragansett Park was Rhode Island’s only thoroughbred race track. Unfortunately, the track closed in 1978 and a horse racing enthusiast’s only option is to travel to a simulcast racing center. We should mention though that the laws are still active in Rhode Island in regards to pari-mutuel wagering, so the inability to find an active track can change at any time. If you want to bet on horses, bet online with the various sports betting sites that double down as racebooks.
How Old Do I Have To Be To Bet Sports Online In Rhode Island?
The legal online sports betting age in Rhode Island is 18 years old. This gives you a major advantage as the majority of states have set the age to 21. Players must be at least 18 to sign up for any of the major sites we have suggested and anybody that tries to sign up for an account while underage could get themselves into trouble. Ruining your ability to bet on sports because you wanted to get involved before it is legal for you is simply nonsensical. Just wait until you are of age before starting and you will enjoy a safe and fun sports betting experience.
What Teams Can I Bet On In Rhode Island?
It is a short list when discussing the Rhode Island teams to bet on as the Providence Friars and University of Rhode Island Rams are the only major college programs in the state. There aren’t any professional teams, though, Rhode Island is in the New England region and players can enjoy gambling on the Patriots, and the Revolution of the MLS. Keep in mind that any local collegiate team will not be offered at the two land-based venues but really you don’t even need to stick with local teams. Online sportsbooks provide betting lines on just about any professional and collegiate sport that you are a fan of, whether local or international. You don’t have to limit yourself – broaden your sports horizons and bet on teams and athletes from anywhere in the world.
What Is a Parlay Bet?
A parlay bet is an individual wager that combines multiple bets which are dependent on each of those bets winning. So, for example, if you place a three-team parlay and the first two teams win but third loses, you lose your bet and win nothing. Obviously, the difficulty level is intensified with parlays which are why the reward for getting them right is so high. The high risk allows for much higher payouts if you get the bet right. Avoid doing anything over six “legs” as your chances of getting all six or more correct is quite slim.
Best Deposit Options For Large Wagers!
The best deposit options for large wagers starts and ends with Bitcoin. Bitcoin has become one of the top available banking methods at just about every major sportsbook and after you give it a try it won’t take long before you understand why. Their minimum deposits vary depending on the site you are using but the maximum deposits are noticeably much more significant than any other deposit method. For example, Bovada allows for nearly $10,000 to be deposited per day! That is one of the bigger limits you will find in the business so high rollers everywhere won’t feel restricted or limited when sports betting in Rhode Island.