Rhode Island Sports Betting

Rhode Island betting sites

There’s only one player in the Rhode Island online sports betting space – and that isn’t likely to change for the foreseeable future.

The Rhode Island Lottery launched the Sportsbook Rhode Island app in September 2019; upon its launch, players had to register for an account in person at one of the two retail sportsbooks. Governor Gina Raimondo made things easier for people less than a year later, signing a pair of bills into law that allowed for remote registration.

Rhode Island promos and bonuses

Any expansion of mobile sports betting will mean plenty of Rhode Island sportsbook promos, bonuses, and offers for anyone making wagers within state lines. We encourage everyone to maximize their bonus and offer exposure, since many of these first-time inducements result in real cash landing in sports bettors’ accounts, with little playthrough required (for the most part).

How to bet in Rhode Island

Register online

Registration requirements vary slightly by sportsbook, but most follow the same protocols. Be sure to have your personal information (name, address, phone number) and credit card details (number, expiry date, CVV) handy.

Deposit 

Once you’re comfortable with how your sportsbook’s new signup bonus works, it’s time to make your initial deposit. Ideally you should establish a budget and stick to it; spend only what you’re comfortable losing, and no more.

Select and finalize your bet

Congratulations! You’re ready to place a wager. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the app interface before diving in. Most mobile operators make it easy for new sports bettors to navigate, but it’s still a good idea to know where everything is.

From there, you can place any type of wager you like; the most popular bet types are the moneyline, spread or total. You can also dive into team or player props, or even kick things off with a futures bet.

Once you have the desired wager(s) in your betting card, take one last look to ensure you’ve made the selections you want. If everything is good, simply click the “Bet” button – and you’re off!

Rhode Island sports betting quick facts

Rhode Island legal sports betting history

There’s nothing overly complicated about the history of legal sports betting in the Ocean State. It was one of the first states in America to adopt legalized wagering following the repeal of PASPA, and made it clear from the outset that the Rhode Island Lottery would be in charge of regulation.

In addition to sportsbook regulation, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is also regulated in the state. Check out our full guide to the best DFS sites for more information.

Here’s a look at Rhode Island’s sports betting history:

2018-19: Rhode Island Works Quickly

The ink was barely dry on the Supreme Court’s PASPA ruling when Rhode Island went all-in on sports betting. Just 39 days after the historic decision, Gov. Raimondo signed the state’s budget – which included legal sports wagering – into law.

It took just five months from then for the first legal sports bet in Rhode Island history to be placed at Twin River Casino. The following September, Sportsbook Rhode Island (powered by William Hill) became the state’s first online sports betting operator.

2020: Remote Registration Becomes Law

While everything was going well with Rhode Island’s sports betting arrangement, there was one small sticking point: When would players be able to register for an account via their mobile devices, rather than having to do it in person?

That oversight was corrected in July 2020, with the country still reeling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The state’s General Assembly passed a pair of bills July 16 designed to allow for remote registration for online sports betting; Raimondo signed both bills into law six days later, and remote registration became official July 28th.

2021-22: RI Generates Solid Handle

Following the decision to allow for remote registration, Rhode Island saw consistent and impressive handle beginning in August 2021. The state has generated no less than $22 million in handle in a month as of April 2022; for perspective, RI reached that plateau in just seven of its first 21 months of operation.

Responsible Gaming in Rhode Island

Like most states, Rhode Island has put safeguards in place to ensure that bettors have a way out of any potential trouble spots. 

The Rhode Island Council on Problem Gambling is the state’s main online resource for players who seek help. Players who visit the site have access to a self-assessment, along with links to the Problem Gambling Access Network and Gamblers Anonymous.

Visit the Rhode Island Council on Problem Gambling site.

Sports leagues to bet on

It will come as no surprise to see a rather extensive list of major professional and amateur sports available to Rhode Island bettors – a list that includes (but is not limited to):

• NFL
• NBA
• Most NCAA Football
• Most NCAA Basketball
• MLB
• NHL
• Golf
• Auto Racing
• Tennis
• Soccer
• MMA

That doesn’t leave much off the table, but there are four major markets in which wagering in Rhode Island is prohibited:

• Politics
• Esports
• Entertainment (including awards shows)
• Collegiate events involving RI-based teams, or taking place within the state

Sports bettors can check out the top sportsbooks for specific sports, leagues, playoffs, and categories:

Rhode Island retail sportsbooks

With only two retail sportsbooks in operation, the pickings are slim in the Ocean State. Here’s a list of the retail sportsbooks available to those in Rhode Island:

• Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort (William Hill Sportsbook, 100 Twin River Rd, Lincoln, RI, 02865)
• Bally’s Tiverton Casino & Hotel (777 Tiverton Casino Blvd, Tiverton, RI, 02878)

Rhode Island sports betting tax & handle

The smallest state in the union has packed quite a punch when it comes to showing a passion for sports betting.

Despite having just two brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in operation for most of its legal sports betting life cycle, Rhode Island has posted impressive handles, first breaking the $30 million monthly barrier in November 2019. The numbers have continued to grow since, with October 2021 standing as the high-water mark all-time at $60.1 million.

Here’s a look at Rhode Island’s monthly sports betting handle beginning in 2018:

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Similar to a handful of other states, Rhode Island has employed a revenue-sharing agreement rather than a standard tax rate. The state collects 51 percent of all sports betting revenue from the two casinos.

Growth of sports betting 📈

When the U.S. Supreme Court repealed PASPA in 2018, the growth of legal sports betting in the United States skyrocketed. Close to three dozen states have since legalized some form of sports betting, with the most common legislation including the licensing of online sportsbooks and mobile betting apps. Check our legal sports betting tracker to find out more about any state you're interested in. 

Over the past few years, large states like Ohio and Massachusetts have enjoyed massively successful online betting launches. Sports fans get an extra way to engage with their favorite teams, and the states earn plenty of much-needed revenue from licensing fees and taxes.

More recently, legal North Carolina sports betting arrived on March 11, 2024, bringing eight of the best sportsbooks in the country to the Tar Heel state. And with events like the Copa America and Euro 2024 soccer tournaments happening all Summer long, the excitement and opportunities for sports betting enthusiasts continue to grow.