Rhode Island Online Casinos & Gambling News July 2025
Rhode Island is considering legislation that would make all the best RI online casinos legal. Check out our exhaustive state guide on all the best Rhode Island online casinos that could be coming to the Ocean State as soon as 2024 when real money online gambling is expected to get the go ahead.
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At the moment real money online casinos are only available to players located in CT, MI, NJ, PA, and WV. If you are outside of these states please see our social casino page for further information.
It may be the smallest state in the union, but Rhode Island has always punched well above its weight when it comes to legal gambling.
Rhode Island has operated a state lottery since 1974, it has allowed live table games in its retail casinos for over a decade. It also embraced legal sports betting just months after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the sports betting law that had banned the practice nationwide. So it seems likely the will embrace the world of online casino gambling sites as well.
Rhode Island even allows horse racing betting. But if you want to play online casino games like poker, blackjack, and online slots — electronic table games popularly known as iGaming — for real money, you can't as this remains prohibited. It's one of the few barriers to gambling that's still standing in the way of online casinos in Rhode Island.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Rhode Island?
The answer to that question depends on what type of gambling you’re looking for. While online sports betting has been legal in Rhode Island since 2019, online casino gambling and online poker remain unregulated.
For casino gaming and poker, your legal options at present in Rhode Island are to visit a retail casino to gamble for real money or enjoy online sweepstakes casinos to take part in games with no actual financial stakes. But for now, playing with real money in Rhode Island online casinos will have to wait.
Social Casinos In Rhode Island
Although real money online casinos remain prohibited in Rhode Island, residents in the Ocean State can still play casino games through social casinos, which don’t cost any money to play. These popular casino games award virtual coins or chips. In the same way you would receive real cash for winning at a online casino.
While offshore Rhode Island casino sites may be tempting. Offshore casino sites are illegal and can be untrustworthy; there’s often little to no recourse, for instance, if your deposit disappears or you don’t receive your winnings after gambling with offshore casinos.
Add in the legal exposure, and it’s easy to see why Rhode Island residents should stick with playing at the best social casinos until legal Rhode Island online casinos are legalized.
Legal Online Casino Gambling In Rhode Island
The legacy of legal gambling in Rhode Island can be traced back nearly eight decades, to the horse-racing track that stood near where the Bally’s Twin River Casino is located today.
The state’s fervor for wagering has transitioned to the real money online gambling era. Rhode Island has maintained legal online horse racing betting even though it no longer has a track in the state where racing takes place, and it was one of the first states to introduce legal sports betting legislation after the nationwide ban was struck down in 2018.
Rhode Island is also one of the very few states with a minimum online betting age of 18, even for mobile sports betting, lower than the usual 21 in other US states.
| ☑️ Land-based Gambling | Yes |
| ☑️ Online Gambling | No |
| ☑️ Lottery | Yes |
| ☑️ Charitable or House-based Gambling | Yes |
| ☑️ Minimum Gambling Age | 18 |
Rhode Island Online Sports Betting
In May 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the national law banning sports betting. One month later, then-Gov. Gina Raimondo signed off on legislation that would pave the way for legal sports betting in all Rhode Island's two land-based commercial casinos, which kicked off in November of 2018.
Online sports betting followed in 2019. Today, Rhode Island offers legal mobile sports betting through an online sportsbook which is operated by the Rhode Island Lottery, the only such provider in the state.
Rhode Island State Lottery
The Rhode Island Lottery has its beginnings in 1973 when a constitutional amendment creating a lottery in the Ocean State passed by a 3-to-1 margin. The “Lot” kicked off a year later, with its first ticket sold for 50 cents, and its first drawing held at the Rhode Island State House.
Now, the lottery offers draw and scratch-off games such as Keno, Bingo, and Lucky for Life, multi-state jackpots such as PowerBall and MegaMillions, and lottery terminals at retail casinos.
The 103 employees of the state lottery also oversee Rhode Island's two retail casinos and sports betting operations.
Rhode Island Land-based Casinos
If you’re looking to play at a new online casino for real money in the Ocean State, your only option, for now, is one of two retail Rhode Island casinos located in the state: Bally’s Twin River Casino and Bally’s Tiverton Casino Hotel.
Rhode Island has had live table casino games since 2013, with options now including poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and more. And then there are of course the slot machines—over 3,700 in Twin River Casino, and more than 1,000 in Tiverton—which accept bets ranging from 1 cent to $100.
Both Rhode Island casinos have a poker room and sports and race books as well. Twin River and Tiverton each became Bally’s branded in 2020, with Twin River opening 40,000 square feet of new gaming space in April of 2023.
| Casino | City | Address |
| Twin River Casino Hotel | Lincoln | 100 Twin River Rd |
| Tiverton Casino Hotel | Tiverton | 777 Tiverton Casino Blvd |
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Rhode Island Gambling History
📅 1974: The Rhode Island Lottery debuts with a weekly game with a top prize of $50,000.
📅 1992: Legislation passes allowing video lottery terminals at the state's two pari-mutuel facilities, Lincoln Park (now Twin River Casino) and Newport Grand.
📅 2012: A referendum passes allowing the addition of live table games at Twin River Casino, while a similar measure fails in Newport.
📅 2015: A referendum passes to approve the construction of a new casino in Tiverton, and authorizing the facility to offer state-operated video lottery terminals and table games.
📅 2018: Rhode Island becomes the eighth state to legalize retail sports betting at its two casinos.
📅 2018: Tiverton Casino takes over Newport Grand's gaming license and opens with video lottery terminals and table games.
📅 2019: Mobile sports betting debuts in Rhode Island, with the state lottery commission as sole operator.
📅 2020: Rhode Island gambling laws are amended to allow online sports betting registration, changing the statute that had mandated sports bettors register in person at Twin River Casino or Tiverton Casino Hotel.
Will Rhode Island Legalize Online Casinos?
There’s a movement to legalize online casinos in the form of online casino games in Rhode Island thanks in part to Bally’s Casino, which now operates Twin River Casino and Tiverton Casino Hotel.
In April of 2023, seven lawmakers led by state Sen. Dominick Ruggerio and state Rep. Gregory Costantino introduced gambling legislation requested by Bally’s that would legalize online gaming in Rhode Island.
The measure “seeks to enhance state revenue and better position the state’s casinos in the competitive New England gaming market,” the lawmakers said in a statement.
A recent study commissioned by Bally’s estimates online casino gambling would generate $93.3 million of gross gaming revenue in its first year, as much as $130.6 million in its fifth year, and a potential $210 million in Rhode Island gaming taxes over that five-year period.
Like sports betting, the law would use geolocation to ensure that participants in online casinos are within the state. The act if passed would take effect Jan. 1, 2024.
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Online Casino Games Expected to Launch in Rhode Island
➡️ Slot Machines
Slot machines dominate retail casinos, and the same is true online as well. You’ll find more slot machines in online casinos than any other game, with options ranging from classic three-reel versions to big-money progressives to branded feature games with enhanced graphics and bonus features. Some land based casinos are limited by space, but this won't be a problem for RI online casinos. Allowing them to offer hundreds of different online games.
➡️ Lottery Games Online
Many online gambling casinos also feature online lottery games, which are very similar to the versions you’ll find at convenience stores and other brick-and-mortar retailers.
There are online bingo and keno, online scratch cards, sports-themed offerings, pick 3 or 4, and other available lottery games depending on which of the online casinos you're using.
➡️ Casino Poker
Another mainstay of both retail and the best casino sites, video or casino poker is a classic game in which players are dealt five cards and can change them out to try to create the best hand.
Winnings can add up, and there’s always the chance of hitting the jackpot by betting the maximum and finding a royal flush.
➡️ Live Dealer Casinos
Players in Rhode Island looking for live dealer games can try games like blackjack, online roulette, online baccarat, pai gow poker, and super six with a live dealer, just as they would on a physical casino floor.
Certain dealers have specific table limits, just as in real life, and sometimes you can even select your seat at the “table.”
➡️ Roulette
Place chips on a number between 1 and 36, and spin the wheel—whether live or online, that’s the essence of roulette. Some online gambling casinos have multiple varieties available, given the differences in both the board and wheel in American, European, and French roulette. Players can also bet on red or black, odd or even, and other options.
Rhode Island Casinos Banking Options
How would you fund an online gambling account in the Ocean State? Given that the state lottery has a monopoly on mobile sports betting, it’s fair to assume that banking for potential online casino play would follow a similar process.
Banking options at the state-run sportsbook are currently rather limited, with deposits allowed only by debit card or automated clearing house (ACH) e-check.
And withdrawals can only go to the same bank account used to fund the sportsbook account, with a processing time of three to five days.
Social Casino Banking Options
Unlike real money casinos, social casino games don’t involve wagering actual cash, so there’s no risk to your wallet. That said, many platforms offer in-game purchases like gold coins or SC coins to enhance the fun. Some even give you the chance to win real cash prizes.
Even in the world of social casinos, having a variety of payment options is still important. The top online social casinos offer a wide range of secure and convenient banking methods to suit every player’s preferences.
We’ve tested dozens of platforms to find the best online casinos by payment type. For mobile users, we’ve collated lists of Apple Pay Casinos, Google Pay Casinos and Skrill Casinos that make it easy to connect your e-wallet. Venmo Online Casinos are also gaining popularity for their ease of use and quick transactions.
Prefer using a credit card? Amex casinos offer secure options for larger deposits, though they’re a bit less common. Or if debit cards are more your style, there are fast and safe Mastercard casinos and Visa casinos.
PayPal casinos are another popular choice, offering an extra layer of security and peace of mind for online players.
Not sure which method is right for you? Check out our complete guide to online casino payment methods to help you find the best fit for your gaming style.
Who regulates online casinos in Rhode Island?
Since online casino gaming is currently illegal in Rhode Island, there is no state authority regulating it. But the bill recently introduced in the State House that would allow legal online gambling would put the state lottery commission in charge of it.
That’s no surprise, given that the lottery commission also oversees Rhode Island sports betting, retail casino gaming, and of course the lottery itself.
Social Casinos vs Real Money Online Casinos
Social Casinos are a terrific alternative for users looking for the online casino experience, allowing you to enjoy all the fun and games without wagering. For Rhode Island residents, this is currently the best option for iGaming.
Outside of Rhode Island, there are states that do offer legal and regulated, real-money online casinos. For residents of these states we’ve created lists of the top online casinos for them including; Connecticut online casinos, Delaware online casinos, Michigan online casinos, New Jersey online casinos, Pennsylvania online casinos, and West Virginia online casinos.
Both Social Casinos and Real Money Casinos offer a fantastic experience for users through welcome offers, game variety, and the possibility to win big!
Rhode Island Online Gambling FAQs
Are Online Casinos Legal in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island online casinos are not yet legal, but there is a bill that's been introduced in the State House that could change that. If the bill passes you will be able to gamble at online casinos from the comfort of your own home.
Can you gamble online in Rhode Island?
What is the legal gambling age in Rhode Island?
When Will Rhode Island Legalize Online Gambling?
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