Gambling in New England’s eastern state of Rhode Island is not half bad when it comes to USA online gambling laws. There are brick-and-mortar casinos, sportsbook online, pari-mutuel wagering and a state lottery. Even so, gambling at Rhode Island casinos continues to be one of the last frontiers. At the time of writing, no such opportunities exist in the Ocean State.
Our Rhode Island Online Casino Reviews
Rhode Island is located to the east within the cluster of states known as New England. It is the smallest state in the whole United States of America. It’s just 1,214 square miles of which 14 per cent is water. When it comes to gambling, this state has a mix of cans and cannots: while there are two land-based casinos, there are no online casinos, for example. The laws here, however, are quite surprising. Particularly as the Puritan laws on gambling in New England would have been expecting to have more of a lasting effect on the state of Rhode Island – the state was the first to legalize sports betting! Below, we take an in-depth look at all this, including sportsbook online, gambling in New England, Rhode Island online casinos and the Puritan laws on gambling in New England.
Best Rhode Island Online Casinos
| 1 |  | 20% cashback up to 10,000 USDT |  Bit Casino review | Sign-Up | UK 18+ | Play Responsibly | T&C Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 |  |  Royal Panda Casino review | Sign-Up | UK 18+ | Play Responsibly | T&C Apply | |
| 3 |  | 10 % cashback | Live Casino review | 18+ | Play Responsibly | T&C Apply | |
| 4 |  | UP TO 325 FREE SPINS + C$10,000 OR 0.5 BTC | Parimatch review | Sign-Up | UK 18+ | Play Responsibly | T&C Apply |
| 5 |  | JOIN US AND GET €3000 + 200 FS | SlotWolf review | UK 18+ | Play Responsibly | T&C Apply | |
| 6 |  | Gaming City Casino review | UK 18+ | Play Responsibly | T&C Apply | ||
| 7 |  | Bet $10 & Get a $10 Free Bet |  Betstorm Casino review | Sign-Up | UK 18+ | Play Responsibly | T&C Apply |
| 8 |  | Up to 200% on your first deposit 200 free spins or a Free Bet | Conquestador review | Sign-Up | UK 18+ | Play Responsibly | T&C Apply |
The Legality Of Land-Based Casinos & Online Casinos In Rhode Island
Gambling in New England is a hodgepodge of laws and Rhode Island itself has a mix of gambling laws. The laws permit certain types of gambling and prohibit others. Citizens of, and visitors to, the Ocean State will be happy to know that there are two full-service, land-based casinos in the state. These are the Twin River Casino Hotel in Lincoln and Tiverton Casino Hotel in Tiverton. Between them, these casinos offer almost 200,000 square feet of gambling space complete with over 5,000 slot machines and dozens of table games. The Rhode Island gambling age for casinos is 21 and over. Rhode Island is also big on sports betting and was the first state to offer this service to its citizens. This didn’t happen that long ago, though. In fact, it was the US Supreme Court that declared that the ban on the practice was unconstitutional in May 2018. It was a move which made sports betting available in June of the same year. Today, Road Islanders can play sports betting online. Also, at the Twin River Casino Hotel in Lincoln or at the dedicated kiosk at the Twin River Tiverton Casino and Hotel in Tiverton. Interestingly, because gaming company IGT provided all the technical expertise required to make sportsbook in Rhode Island possible, casinos today actually make a very small profit from this practice: 51 percent of the said profits go to the state, 32 percent go to IGT, and the casinos retain the remaining 17 percent.
That’s not all, though. This state has a state lottery, which was legalized in 1973, and now is affiliated with lotteries like Powerball and Mega Millions. It also allows pari-mutuel betting on horse racing. Though there are no racetracks in the state as both the Narragansett Park and the Lincoln Downs race tracks closed down in the 1970s. A number of referenda over the decades have also brought bingo and pull-tab lottery games to Rhode Island. Additionally, there are some opportunities for limited off-track betting at Newport Jai Alai and Lincoln Greyhound Park, too. Meanwhile, charitable gambling and house-based gambling, in the shape of bingo at senior retirement facilities, are legal. All this may not seem like much when compared to the options available at some of the more liberal states. But it’s actually quite avant-garde for a New England state. It’s easy to forget, in fact, that Puritan laws on gambling in New England were relatively harsh and in place for centuries, with the ban beginning on 22 March 1631, when it was ordered that anyone with cards, dice or tables in their house should dispose of them before the next court was to take place – or else face punishment.
In today’s world, this may seem somewhat trivial since some people ignore gambling laws, particularly those related on gambling online, but things were very different then. In fact, just seven months after this ban, the Puritans in Massachusetts made adultery punishable by death. It also banned living with native Americans, smoking in public and fancy clothing. Meanwhile, missing Sunday service would mean you’d be sent to the stocks, and celebrating Christmas would see you fork out five shillings. Puritan laws on gambling in New England, therefore, were a very real force that shaped gambling in New England states. But, given today’s gambling laws in Rhode Island, you’d be forgiven to think that the Puritan hold on this New England state is completely gone, but it’s not that simple. Gambling at online casino is still completely banned and the state still doesn’t regulate or license online casinos. This means that Rhode Islanders and those visiting the state cannot play their favorite games for real money. These are including online roulette, poker, slots, baccarat, blackjack, online craps, pai gow, and the lot online for real money. Social casino gambling, however, is totally acceptable and providers like Big Fish, Double Down, Zynga and Virtual Gaming Worlds among others operate from within the state. Meanwhile, the MyVegas games from MGM Resorts can also be played, and through this Rhode Islanders can gain loyalty points that can be used at MGM properties.
Land-Based Gambling In Rhode Island Today
| Casino | County | Unique Features | Casino Games |
| Twin River Casino Hotel | Lincoln | Former greyhound track. Virtual table games. | 4,200 Slots 125 Tables Games |
| Tiverton Casino Hotel | Tiverton | Hybrid Stadium Seating: gives you the possibility to play numerous games on a single machine. | 1000 Slots 30 Table Games |
Online Gambling Laws In Rhode Island
The Ocean State may not have very strict laws when it comes to land-based gambling, but things are different in relation to online gambling. Indeed, at the time of writing, Rhode Islanders and visitors cannot play any of their favorite casino games for real money at Rhode Island online casino. Of course, many lawmakers have tried to change this part of Rhode Island’s stand on gambling. One of the latest Bills being presented by Representative Charlene Lima in 2018 to allow scratch-off cards to be sold online. Having said that, it is widely believed that if online gambling – including at Rhode Island online casino – had to become a matter of a voter referendum, then it would most likely pass.
Sportsbook Online in Rhode Island
While online casino games are not allowed, sportsbook online is completely legal in the state. This means that Rhode Islanders can make bets on sporting events online without worrying about the law (given they are at least 18 years of age). Below we mention sports betting options offering this form of gambling in New England.
Sportsbook in Rhode Island
| Casino | Casino Games |
| Rhode Island Sports Betting | Powered by William Hill, this site gives you the possibility to bet on tennis, boxing, hockey, baseball, football, and American football, among others. The site, which is affiliated with the Twin River Casino, also has a mobile spo |
What should I know about Online Casinos in Rhode Island?
- While Rhode Island has sportsbook online, playing casino games for real money at Rhode Island online casino is not legal in the Ocean State.
- Having said that, citizens can head to one of the two land-based, commercial casinos in the state, the Twin River Casino Hotel in Lincoln and Tiverton Casino Hotel in Tiverton.
- Social gambling (i.e. playing casino games without wagering any real money) is to totally legal and allowed, and there are numerous websites and app that cater for this.
- Meanwhile, Rhode Islanders can also take part in the state lottery, pari-mutuel wagering, and a number of other gambling practices.
Gambling Laws Governing Offshore Casinos & What It Means For Rhode Island Players
Because laws on gambling in New England – in this case, in Rhode Island, specifically – ban playing online casino games in the state, a number of players choose to ‘bypass’ the law by playing at offshore casinos. For those who are not familiar with the term, offshore casinos are online casino websites registered in other jurisdictions. In this case, they could be in another US state or even in places outside of the United States of America that have friendlier gambling laws or more favorable taxes, including at UK casinos, Malta, Gibraltar, or Curaçao, to mention but a few. There are a number of reasons why we strongly do not recommend this practice. For a start, playing at offshore registered casinos while in Rhode Island still constitutes playing casino games online, and is therefore still a violation of the current gambling laws. Secondly, should anything go wrong, your rights, your data and your money may not be safe with the state unable to help you. As such, we always recommend that players play at online casinos registered in their jurisdiction or else at land-based, brick-and-mortar commercial casinos.
Online Casino Games For Rhode Island
Sadly, Rhode Island online casinos are banned in the Ocean State, meaning that Rhode Islanders cannot play any of their favorite casino games online for real money. This includes – but isn’t limited to – roulette, online slots, poker, baccarat, craps and blackjack. Nevertheless, the state of Rhode Island does allow players to play online socially (i.e. for no money), and there are numerous websites where you can do so. There is also the MyVegas games from MGM Resorts; through these, Rhode Islanders can gain loyalty points that can be used at MGM properties. Of course, Rhode Islanders can also legally make sports bets through sportsbook online. There are currently two sites that offer this service, namely at Rhode Island Sports Betting, which is affiliated with the Twin River Casino Hotel.
| Bloodsuckers Slot | | Bloodsuckers Slot review |
|---|---|---|
| Bonanza Slot | | Bonanza Slot review |
| Book of Dead | | Book of Dead review |
| Starbust Slot | | Starbust Slot review |
Payment Options At Rhode Island Online Casinos
When it comes to playing at Rhode Island online casinos, there are no payment methods that can be used as it is illegal to play casino games online in the Ocean State. This may not seem ideal or fair, but we certainly do not recommend playing at offshore registered casinos since these may not always work in the way you’d expect or like them to – not to mention that it is also against the law. Got some pressing questions regarding gambling in New England’s state of Rhode Island? Want to know more about Rhode Island online casinos? We’ve got you covered with our quick-fire question-and-answer section.
Online Casinos Rhode Island FAQs
Is online gambling legal in Rhode Island?
No, much like the laws surrounding gambling in New England states, those of Rhode Island deem it illegal to play casino games online for real money. Nevertheless, RI players can head to one of the two land-based casinos in the state, namely the Twin River Casino Hotel in Lincoln and Tiverton Casino Hotel in Tiverton, place bets on sports through sportsbook online, take part in the state lottery, and dabble in pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing. There are also a small number of gambling opportunities with regard to greyhound racing.
Can I play at an online casino in Rhode Island via mobile or tablet?
No, playing casino games online any device – be it on a fixed PC or on a laptop, notebook, cell phone or tablet – is illegal in this state. Even so, there are a number of gambling methods you can play legally through your mobile device, which includes sportsbook online for real money, or for no money at all through the social casino sites or dedicated social casino apps.
What casino games can I play at Rhode Island online casinos?
None, given that you are looking to do so for money; although if you just want to play casino games for fun, then you can do so on social gambling websites. These have games like roulette, poker, slots, baccarat, blackjack, pai gow, and craps, among others. At social gambling websites, however, you do not play for real money, which is why it is legal. Meanwhile, gambling in this New England state also extends to sportsbook online. There are two sites that offer this service, namely at the Rhode Island Sports Betting website.
Is it possible to play online casino games with dollars?
No actual or virtual currency can be used to play at Rhode Island online casino since the laws surrounding gambling in New England state of RI bans such practices. Though, of course, if you are betting on sporting outcomes through sportsbook online Rhode Island, then dollars may be used.
Are the Rhode Island online casinos on this site regulated?
All casinos mentioned on this website are regulated, legal and have all the measures in place to protect you, your money, your data and your rights. Having said that, there are no Rhode Island online casinos to choose from since they are illegal in the Ocean State. For that reason, we only mention state-approved, land-based casinos, sportsbook online websites, and social gambling websites where you can play without wagering any money.
Am I eligible to receive an online casino bonus at an Rhode Island Casino?
No, online casino bonuses can only be redeemed by those who have access to online casino websites and, sadly, Rhode Islanders do not. Should the state legalize such operations, however, we expect online casinos will offer users many of the great casino bonuses available to players elsewhere, including welcome bonuses, no-deposit bonuses, free spins and so on.
How do I start playing for real money at a Rhode Island online casino?
Sadly, there is no way of doing so since the laws surrounding gambling in New England state of Rhode Island ban Rhode Island online casino. Nevertheless, you can access sites to play socially (for no money) or Rhode Island Sports Betting for sportsbook online, where you can make real-money bets.
Which online casino payment options are popular in Rhode Island?
Unfortunately, we have no data regarding this as Rhode Island online casinos are banned in the state. Normally, payment options would include those via credit or debit card. Payment is usually possible through eWallets., for example at PayPal Casinos, and direct bank transfers. However, since Rhode Islanders can’t play at online casinos, then we do not recommend you deposit any money at any online casinos, even those registered in offshore jurisdictions.
Do I need to pay taxes on my gambling winnings in Rhode Island?
Yes, the state expects taxpayers to declare all their income, including from gambling wins. As of 2012, the structure of this tax has been changed and players pay on their gross winnings rather than their net. In other words, if you win $60,000 but also lose $30,000 in the process, then you still pay tax on the $60,000.
Stay Safe and Follow the Law when Looking to Play at Rhode Island Online Casinos
We hope we have answered all your questions regarding gambling laws in New England, Rhode Island online casino, and Rhode Island sportsbook online. As always, we recommend that you follow the law of the jurisdiction you are in and to never wager more money than you can afford to lose. With that in mind, good luck!
| Bloodsuckers Slot | | Bloodsuckers Slot review |
|---|---|---|
| Bonanza Slot | | Bonanza Slot review |
| Book of Dead | | Book of Dead review |
| Starbust Slot | | Starbust Slot review |
