Real Money Gambling in Rhode Island
Competition between Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts for gambling revenue is fierce, especially seeing as how residents are willing to travel across state lines to play.
But you can avoid the heated competition, as well as rush hour traffic if you stay home and gamble online at any of the best Rhode Island gambling sites instead.
How We Rate
Safety & Security
You should be able to gamble online without fear. So we only recommend licensed sites that use the latest security and encryption techniques.
Bonuses
Maximize your bankroll with fantastic bonuses. Our recommended sites offer valuable bonuses with fair terms and conditions, including manageable wagering requirements.
Games & Betting
The best sites have the best wagering options. That’s why you will find extensive games and betting opportunities on our recommended sites.
Banking
Getting your money to and from your account shouldn’t be a hassle. We only recommend sites with a variety of convenient banking methods, including cryptocurrency and e-wallets.
RI lawmakers have been hesitant to move forward with formal web-based gambling legislation. At the same time, they’re not thrilled about Massachusetts benefiting from gambling revenue that their own state should’ve pocketed.
The state doesn’t get a cut of the revenue generated by daily fantasy sports either, as DFS is considered a “skill game.”
This might explain why Rhode Island finally decided to introduce a geolocated mobile sportsbook at the end of 2019.
Punters can take advantage of DFS and sports betting from their computers or smartphones. And if you join the right real money gambling site in Rhode Island, casino and poker games might be available too.
Benefits of Top RI Online Gambling Sites
Why do you need to use a top Rhode Island gambling site that’s right for you?
Why can’t you just join the first site you find?
Choosing the right site will impact your experience when gambling online for real money. How? Let’s look at a couple of examples.
Game Selection and Variety
An average gambling site will have a small selection of games. For example, they might only have 50 slot machines, 3 video poker machines, and a dozen table games in their casino.
The best Rhode Island gambling sites work with multiple software developers. This enables them to offer 100, 150, or 200 or more fun and unique slot machines.
If you’re going to stay home and gamble online in Rhode Island, don’t you want a lot of games to choose from? Join the best sites and you will.
Gambling Promotions
Promotions are another key area where Rhode Island gamblers will notice a distinct difference between the average and top-rated RI gambling websites.
Average gambling sites might offer one or two promos, such as a deposit bonus and cashback reward program. The bonus and cashback will be small too, and the playthrough tough to clear.
Legit gambling websites in Rhode Island offer a variety of promos for both new and existing customers, such as the following.
- Deposit bonuses
- Reload bonuses
- VIP programs
- Free bets
- Rebates or cash back
Not only will you have more gambling promos to choose from, but the best sites for gambling with real money in Rhode Island will also impose reasonable bonus terms. This will give you a fighting chance to cash out some of your winnings.
Banking Fees
Here’s one more example – banking fees.
Join an average gambling site and you might pay $40-$100 or more for a single withdrawal. Second-rate sites will even charge you to make a deposit.
But if you gamble online for real money in Rhode Island at one of our recommended sites, you won’t pay a dime to fund your account. Many of the sites we endorse let you withdraw for free. And, if not, many of them offer one free cash-out per month and then charge a relatively reasonable rate for all other withdrawals.
Okay, so what’s the point of all these examples?
The point is this. There are significant differences between an average gambling site and a top-rated gambling site in Rhode Island. These differences will impact your enjoyment and what it’ll cost you to gamble online in RI.
So, back to the original question – how do you find the best gambling website for you? Many people don’t know what to look for. Even if you did, it’s a nuisance to create an account and make a deposit at different RI gambling sites just to test them out.
That’s why we suggest that you let us do the work for you. Our team has reviewed and handpicked the best online Rhode Island gambling sites. All you’ll have to do is choose one from our list and start playing.
Ranking Gambling Sites for Rhode Island
No one would blame you if you’re apprehensive about taking a recommendation without knowing first whether you can trust the source giving it. So, let’s talk a little about our review and ranking process.
When we review RI gambling sites, we make sure each one meets our minimum standards before listing them on GamblingSites.com.
We also note any issues or above-average services, which can sometimes help you decide between two or more online gambling sites in Rhode Island.
In every review we write, we look for, pay close attention to, and test the following things.
- Ownership reputation
- Rhode Island acceptance
- Variety of banking options
- Deposit or payout fees
- Turnaround time for withdrawal requests
- Number and variety of betting options
- Casino game selection
- Live dealer casino availability
- Bonuses and promotions
- Prominently posted terms and conditions
- Customer service with 24/7 availability and quick responses
- Mobile access
Once our reviews are done, we evaluate the results and turn them into ratings. Ratings help us to compare one RI gambling site to another.
Next, we eliminate operations with significant issues, such as slow payouts, and sites that aren’t safe and secure to use.
The remaining sites are compared, and then we turn the top results into a list of the best Rhode Island gambling sites for you to pick and choose from.
This process takes us a long time. But it’s worth it knowing that our readers will join and play at the safest gambling websites in Rhode Island.
We also rank the top RI gambling sites in more specific categories.
Why Gamble Online in Rhode Island?
It takes less than an hour to get from one end of Rhode Island to the other, regardless of the direction you’re heading. Along the way, you’ll pass hundreds of lottery retailers and two casinos. So, if you’re looking to place a bet, then you’ve got options in the Ocean State.
Then, why would you or anyone else want to gamble online for real money in RI?
Convenience
Online gambling in Rhode Island is about convenience. You can grab your laptop or smartphone and play slots or blackjack, or back your favorite team, in a matter of seconds.
You can get an entire gambling session in at home in the time it’d take you to drive to Twin River or Tiverton and find a game to play.
Online Gambling is Accommodating
There’s more to it than just convenience. Some people who enjoy games of chance can’t get to Twin River or Tiverton Casino.
They could have mobility issues or health problems that keep them homebound. Casinos are also smoky and uncomfortable for people with breathing issues.
Game Selection
In Rhode Island, there’s another reason why residents appreciate online gambling, and that’s the games they have available.
Even though there are two casinos, neither of them has actual slots on the gambling floor. The machines in Twin River and Tiverton are VLTs. So, if you prefer slots and want to play to win big progressive jackpots, it makes sense to play slots online in Rhode Island.
This applies to all games too, not just slots. It’s much easier to find any game you want to play or bet on online.
Promotions
The Twin River Casino and Tiverton Casino Hotel in Rhode Island both offer promotions, such as slot-free plays and a Players Club. Not too shabby, right?
You’ll find more promotions online, though. The list of promos you can claim includes free plays, deposit bonuses, rebates, no-deposit bonuses, and more.
And when you’re all done with a promotion, most Rhode Island gambling sites will be happy to come up with something else for you. All you have to do is ask.
History of Rhode Island Gambling Laws
Overview of Legal RI Gambling
Legal gambling in Rhode Island dates back to 1934 when the state legalized horse racing and pari-mutuel betting.
40 years later, in 1974, the state launched the Rhode Island lottery. The lottery evolved into a major source of revenue, as you can play more than just scratch and draw tickets. RI residents can play keno, bingo, and pull tabs too.
Fast forward RI gambling to today. The state’s greyhound track and Jai Alai venues morphed into racinos and then casinos. These casinos offer a variety of machines, table games, and VLTs (virtual lottery terminals).
The lottery not only provides the VLT machines but also oversees the table games, as well as the recently launched sports betting program.
Even though the lottery is a retailer-only program, things may change in the future. The commission has already had to spread its wings virtually. At the end of 2019, sports betting expanded from being exclusively land-based to mobile accessibility.
Online Gambling Laws in Rhode Island
Gambling online in Rhode Island has been relatively scarce. The nod was given to daily fantasy sports (DFS) for resident participation, but there aren’t any licensing agreements. That means the Ocean State doesn’t reap the benefits.
Under Rhode Island gambling laws, casinos are legal. But the Twin River and Tiverton brick-and-mortar venues are the only places with state-regulated gaming. The same applies to poker rooms. Twin River has a 20-table room, but there’s no online counterpart.
So, all gambling sites, except the new in-state mobile sportsbook, are from other jurisdictions.
This isn’t a problem. We’re not aware of anyone who has been arrested for gambling online, and so long as you join one of the best Rhode Island online gambling sites, your money will be safe.
Here’s a summary of the options for legal gambling in Rhode Island.
Type of Gambling | Legal Status |
Casinos | Two in-state casinos with VLTs, table games, and poker |
Sports Betting | Approved for in-person and mobile access |
Poker | The Twin River Casino has the only land-based poker room |
Lottery | Tickets available at retailers across the state |
Pari-Mutuel Wagering | Available at the casinos |
Charity Gambling | Approved for non-profits |
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) | Approved without in-state licensing or regulation |
Online Gambling | One in-state sportsbook; all other websites are out of state |
Where Can I Gamble in Rhode Island?
Is the Future Bright for Gambling in Rhode Island?
You wouldn’t say that Rhode Island is at the forefront of gambling expansion. The state has traditionally taken a “wait and see” approach.
But the Ocean State was quick on the draw with sports betting legislation, though, which was initially slated for land-based access only.
You can thank Rhode Island’s neighbors for that, who are now dictating RI’s future moves. Gambling expansion is now like a game of chess. Boston unveils a massive casino resort and Rhode Island counters with mobile sports betting.
The expansion of online gambling in Rhode Island isn’t a sure bet. But so long as bordering states like Massachusetts and Connecticut continue to siphon profits meant for Rhode Island’s piggybank, you can bet RI will at least discuss the possibilities.
In the meantime, you can satisfy your gambling appetite by joining one of our recommended Rhode Island gambling websites.