Rhode Island Sports Betting: Best Legal RI Sportsbooks in 2023
The smallest state by area, Rhode Island was the eighth jurisdiction to legalize sports betting. The Rhode Island Lottery operates one online sportsbook — Sportsbook RI —and a retail location at each of its two casinos. The best sports betting sites in the U.S. have yet to launch in RI.
Our guide to Rhode Island sports betting will keep you updated on all legal wagering taking place in the Ocean State.
- Population: 1.1 million
- Legal age for sports betting: 18
- Online sports betting: Yes
- Retail sportsbooks: Yes
- Sports betting revenue: $24 million
Rhode Island sports betting updates
Lawmakers have put pen to paper and upgraded Rhode Island sports betting legislation on several occasions. From the initial launch of sports wagering just weeks after the fall of PASPA to the arrival of remote registration two years later, legal betting has been a hot item on Rhode Island's agenda.
Here's a recap of Rhode Island's road to legal sports betting.
July 28, 2020: Remote registration is available in Rhode Island. Sports bettors no longer need to visit a retail sportsbook to verify their identity and create a sportsbook account.
July 22, 2020: Gov. Raimondo signs H8097 and S2919 into law.
July 16, 2020: The Rhode Island General Assembly passes H8097 and S2919. With Gov. Raimondo's signature, remote registration will be live in Rhode Island.
March 25, 2019: Gov. Raimondo signs Rhode Island SB37, officially legalizing statewide mobile wagering. Notably, sports bettors are required to visit a RI casino to register.
March 12, 2019: The House passes SB37, sending the mobile sports betting bill to Gov. Raimondo.
Sept. 4, 2019: The Rhode Island Lottery launches mobile betting via Sportsbook RI. Sports bettors must visit a retail location to register with the platform.
Nov. 26, 2018: Rhode Island's first legal sports bet is placed at Twin River Casino.
June 22, 2018: Gov. Gina Raimondo signs Rhode Island's 2019 state budget into law. With sports betting included in the document, legal wagering is on the way in RI.
May 14, 2018: The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) is struck down by SCOTUS. Each U.S. state can now legalize retail and online sports betting.
Who can bet on sports in Rhode Island?
Anyone 18 and older can partake in Rhode Island sports betting under the state's sports wagering law. Two retail sportsbooks take in-person wagers, while the Rhode Island Lottery offers fully mobile sports betting via Sportsbook RI.
Here's everything you need to know about sports betting in the Ocean State:
Legal age
You must be at least 18 years old to place a legal wager at a Rhode Island sportsbook.
Mobile betting
Rhode Islanders benefit from fully mobile sports betting via the lottery-run Sportsbook RI mobile app. The Rhode Island Lottery regulates all online betting in the state.
Remote registration
As of July 28, 2020, Rhode Islanders can complete the registration process from anywhere in the state. Previously, gamblers had been required to visit a retail RI sportsbook to create a sportsbook account.
Within state borders
All sports bettors must confirm their picks from within state borders. The state lottery uses geofencing software to pinpoint the location of its users and will not allow out-of-state bettors to place wagers online.
Retail sportsbooks
Bettors can visit two Rhode Island sportsbook locations to make physical wagers. Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort and Bally’s Tiverton Casino & Hotel house the state’s two brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.
Taxable winnings
The Rhode Island Lottery takes 5.99% of all gambling winnings. Expect to pay another 24% in federal taxes as well.
Latest Rhode Island betting news
The pros and cons of Rhode Island sports betting
Rhode Island sports betting became much more convenient when remote registration was approved in July 2020. Rhode Islanders can now sign up and place wagers with Sportsbook RI from anywhere in the state.
The downside? Sportsbook RI remains the only option for mobile wagering. Bettors are also limited to just two retail locations bearing the same name.
Rhode Island Lottery monopoly on all sports bettingNo sign-up bonuses or promotionsNo esports or in-state college bettingHow to start betting in Rhode Island
With the arrival of remote registration, it’s easier than ever to get started with sports betting in Rhode Island. RI residents and visitors can place wagers with a few taps of their mobile devices or visit a retail location to make a physical wager.
Select a sportsbook
For now, Rhode Islanders can skip this step, as Sportsbook RI is the only option. We recommend checking out reviews, promotions, betting lines, and banking options before selecting a sportsbook in states with open and competitive sports betting markets.
Register online
Bettors can create a sportsbook account by visiting the Sportsbook RI website or downloading the mobile app. The Rhode Island Lottery also requires gamblers to download a geo-location plugin to verify their locations when using a desktop computer.
Claim a bonus
Unfortunately, Sportsbook Rhode Island does not offer new bettors a welcome bonus.
The most common sportsbook sign-up bonuses in states with competitive sports wagering markets include risk-free bets, deposit matches, and no-deposit bonuses.
Deposit funds
Bettors can fund their Rhode Island sports betting accounts via bank transfers only. Deposits should be processed immediately.
Choose your bet types
Sportsbook RI offers all the popular bet types. Expect to find moneylines, Over/Unders (totals), point spreads, props, futures, live betting, and more.
Start betting
Be sure to review the sportsbook’s terms and conditions before confirming your bets. Should additional licensed sportsbooks launch in the Ocean State, we recommend line shopping to uncover the best odds possible.
Withdraw funds
You can withdraw funds from inside and outside of Rhode Island. For now, Sportsbook RI limits bettors to just one withdrawal option — bank transfers to the same account you used to deposit funds initially.
Reading the odds
Sportsbook RI uses American Odds when displaying betting odds. American odds indicate favorites with a minus sign (-) and underdogs with a plus (+) sign. The number you see next to a favorite represents the total amount you're expected to bet if you want to win $100. For example, -450 odds tell you a $450 winning wager would earn you $100 in cash.
The number that follows an underdog is the amount you could win if you place a successful $100 wager. For example, +130 odds represent the $130 you could take home after placing a $100 stake.
To view odds as decimals or fractions, head on over to our odds converter. There, you can easily switch between American, decimal, and fractional odds.
Rhode Island sports betting handle
Rhode Island has taken in nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars in total handle since legalizing sports betting in 2018. The Ocean State hasn't seen its monthly handle dip below $22 million since allowing bettors to register remotely, but untapped sports betting revenue could be realized by allowing third-party operators to enter the market.
Yearly breakdown
| Year | Total handle | Revenue | Hold percentage | Tax revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | - | - | - | - |
| 2022 | $532.6M | $49.2M | 9.2% | $25.1M |
| 2021 | $454.4M | $39.3M | 8.6% | $20M |
| 2020 | $221.9M | $24M | 10.8% | $12.2M |
| 2019 | $245.8M | 17.8M | 7.2% | $9M |
| 2018 | $13.6M | $1M | 7.5% | $525K |
Monthly handle
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total |
| 2022 | $58.6M | $42.1M | $45.7M | $40.1M | $41.1M | $34.2M | $25.2M | $27.7M | $41.6M | $55.5M | $61.2M | $59.2M | $532.6M |
| 2021 | $39.8M | $34.1M | $38.5M | $29M | $28.2M | $29.4M | $22M | $24M | $41.2M | $60.1M | $52.7M | $54.9M | $454.4M |
| 2020 | $26.9M | $28.1M | $8.9M | $591K | $1.5M | $2M | $6.7M | $23.1M | $31.2M | $34.7M | $35M | $22.7M | $221.9M |
| 2019 | $19M | $20.6M | $23.5M | $16.8M | $18.9M | $14.7M | $8.3M | $10M | $22.1M | $28.2M | $31.4M | $31.6M | $245.8M |
| 2018 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $682K | $13M | $13.6M |
What you can't bet on in Rhode Island
Sportsbook RI primarily offers betting lines on major North American sports but also sprinkles in some international action. This offering is sufficient for most beginner and intermediate sports bettors. There are, however, a few types of wagers you won't be able to make in Rhode Island.
Politics
Wagers on political events are off-limits in the Ocean State. No Rhode Island sportsbook will accept bets on politics.
Entertainment award ceremonies
This type of novelty bet is not offered by Sportsbook Rhode Island.
esports
Esports betting is not available on the Sportsbook Rhode Island website or mobile app.
What about Rhode Island college sports?
Bettors cannot wager on any college event taking place in Rhode Island or any college game involving a Rhode Island-based team.
Legal sportsbooks in Rhode Island
The nation's smallest state has one of the shorter lists of available sportsbooks. Sportsbook Rhode Island stands as the only online sportsbook available in the Ocean State. You can find retail locations at Rhode Island's two Bally's casinos.
Rhode Island's online and mobile sportsbooks
| Online sportsbook | Mobile app | Odds provider | Online casino | Partner | Retail venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sportsbook Rhode Island (William Hill) | Yes | IGT | No | N/A | Bally’s Twin River Casino Resort/Bally’s Tiverton Casino & Hotel |
Land-based Rhode Island sportsbooks
| Sportsbook | Venue | Address | Phone number | Odds provider |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sportsbook Bar & Grill (William Hill) | Bally’s Twin River Casino Resort | 100 Twin River Rd, Lincoln, RI 02865 | 401-723-3200 | IGT |
| Sportsbook Rhode Island (William Hill) | Bally’s Tiverton Casino & Hotel | 777 Tiverton Casino Blvd, Tiverton, RI 02878 | 401-816-6000 | IGT |
Home team advantage: Rhode Island sports
Rhode Islanders cheer on New England squads with a passion few can rival. If you plan to show your support by betting on your hometown team, be sure to do your due diligence and research your bet thoroughly before locking in your picks. Check out our how to bet guides for basic tips and advanced strategies.
Other types of gambling
Rhode Island is home to two full-service casinos — and not much else. The state lottery stands as Rhode Island’s other source of gambling revenue. Pari-mutuel horse race betting is legal, but the Ocean State’s last race track closed in the 1970s.
Casino
Rhode Island’s two Bally’s casinos account for all of the brick-and-mortar gambling in the state. The Twin River location is in the process of adding 40,000 square feet of floor space as part of a $100 million expansion plan.
Rhode Island is home to two full-service casinos — Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort and Bally’s Tiverton Casino & Hotel. Each location offers slots, table games, and retail sportsbooks, and entertainment.
Online casinos are illegal in Rhode Island.
Poker
Bally’s Twin River Lincoln’s 23-table poker room stands as the go-to destination for poker players in Rhode Island.
Online poker is illegal in the Ocean State.
Horse racing
There is no horse racing in Rhode Island, but pari-mutuel wagering has been legal since 1934. Narragansett Park, in Pawtucket, was the home of thoroughbred racing until it closed in 1978.
Today, Rhode Islanders are limited to simulcast wagering at a casino or online horse race betting at the best horse racing betting sites in the U.S.
Daily fantasy sports
There is no law prohibiting DFS contests in Rhode Island. DraftKings, FanDuel, and other daily fantasy websites operate legally in the state.
Quick facts: Rhode Island sports betting
RI sports bettors are limited to one online sportsbook and two retail locations. Here's a breakdown of the Rhode Island sports betting market in 2023:
| Launch date | Nov. 26, 2018 |
| Legal age for betting | 18 |
| Online sports betting | Yes ✅ |
| Number of betting licenses | 1 |
| Number of betting sites | 1 |
| Remote registration | Yes ✅ |
| Retail sportsbooks | Yes ✅ |
| Online casino sites | No ❌ |
| Online poker | No ❌ |
| Retail casinos | Yes ✅ |
| Betting on college sports | Yes ✅ |
| Betting on esports | No ❌ |
| State population | 1.1 million |
| Total handle (2021) | $454.4 million |
| Tax rate | 5.99% |
| State regulator | Rhode Island Lottery |
Responsible gaming in Rhode Island
Any problem gamblers seeking help should turn to the Rhode Island Council on Problem Gambling (RICPG). RICPG provides information and self-assessments and can point you in the right direction as you begin on the road to recovery. Bettors interested in voluntarily banning themselves from gambling facilities can be placed on a self-exclusion list.
Visit Rhode Island Council on Problem GamblingLegal U.S. sports betting markets
The following U.S. jurisdictions have also legalized online and/or in-person sports wagering:
Upcoming legal U.S. sports betting launches
The growing U.S. sports betting market will soon count one more state to its growing ranks.
Legal Ohio sports betting came into effect on Jan. 1, 2023, yes, New Year's Day, with both retail and mobile betting in the mix.
January also marks the opening of retail sports betting in Massachusetts, with online wagering following several months later.
Currently, legal sports betting in Maryland takes place at retail sportsbooks, and online wagering arrived on Nov. 23, 2022, with seven premier betting sites.
Potential legal U.S. sports betting markets
These are the states moving toward legal sports betting that may potentially be getting close to creating their own markets:
Rhode Island sports betting conclusion
With the Rhode Island Lottery's monopoly on legal sports betting, eager sports bettors may experience frustration with the state's lone betting platform, the William Hill-powered Sportsbook Rhode Island.
But fully mobile sports betting for those 18 and older is a win, and perhaps the best news for Rhode Islanders is that nearby Connecticut and New York offer plenty of alternatives to Sportsbook RI. Add Massachusetts to the fold in early 2023, and suddenly things start to look a lot better in the Ocean State.
Sportsbooks to avoid in Rhode Island
See all blacklisted sportsbooks
Rhode Island sports bettors should avoid all offshore sportsbooks. These websites may offer better odds and promotions than Sportsbook Rhode Island, but they operate illegally in the Ocean State. We recommend betting with regulated Rhode Island sports betting sites only.
- Allegations of withdrawal issues
- No license information available on site
- Poor customer service
- Multiple reports of slow payments
- Allegations of non-payments
- Risk of account closure simply for winning bets
- Reports of confiscated winnings
- Slow customer support response times
Rhode Island sports betting FAQs
Yes, Rhode Island sports betting is legal. The Rhode Island Lottery regulates all online and retail wagering in the state.
You can gamble on sports from anywhere in the state when betting online with Sportsbook Rhode Island. Two retail sportsbooks serve as alternatives for those looking to wager in person.
All of the popular types of bets are available both online and at Rhode Island casinos.
Sportsbook RI is the only online option for Rhode Island bettors. Rhode Island Lottery runs the platform.
Yes, you can place bets on Sportsbook Rhode Island using a computer or mobile device.
Yes, Rhode Island sportsbooks are powered by IGT — a popular odds provider in Las Vegas.
Bettors must be 18 to place a legal sports wager in Rhode Island.
No, it is not legal to wager on sports with bet365 in Rhode Island.
You can place a legal sports wager online anywhere in Rhode Island. Visit a Rhode Island casino to place a physical wager at a Sportsbook Rhode Island retail location.
No. However, you will have to be physically located in the state to bet online with Sportsbook RI.
Rhode Island generated $25.1 million in sports betting tax revenue in 2022.
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Jeff has been reviewing sportsbooks and covering North American sports betting full-time since 2021. The former NHL prospects writer has crafted over 100 reviews and guides for the Covers community and has been sweating his own picks for over a decade.
