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The small New England state of Rhode Island doesn’t have a huge population, yet it’s well-known that individuals here love to place bets. This state is near many of the top sports teams in the country, including the Patriots and Red Sox. Today, our team of gambling experts is going to explain how you can find the best Rhode Island sports betting sites currently available.
RI Betting Online. After the PASPA law was repealed in 2018, Rhode Island quickly jumped on board and legalized two sportsbooks at the end of the same year. If you want to join in on the excitement of RI sports betting, you simply need to visit one of the two land-based casinos mention earlier and head to the sportsbook. Online horse racing betting and daily fantasy sports are also permitted in Rhode Island. The state has never passed legislation to formally legalize online racing betting or DFS, but operators in both industries operate openly in Rhode Island and have never been asked to cease operations. Legal Rhode Island Betting. Online horse racing betting and daily fantasy sports are also permitted in Rhode Island. The state has never passed legislation to formally legalize online racing betting or DFS, but operators in both industries operate openly in Rhode Island and have never been asked to cease operations. Legal Rhode Island Betting Sites.
It’s very easy to place sports wagers in this state. Not long ago, lawmakers here passed a bill to regulate the sports gambling industry! We’re going to discuss the specific legality of online sports betting here and explain what to expect for the future.
Choosing which Rhode Island sports betting sites to join can seem a little daunting. With so many great options available, how do you know which website to use? To help with this process, we’re also going to breakdown some of the most important features that all sports betting sites in Rhode Island should provide.
Want to skip all of this information and get straight to the sports gambling? No problem! Below are some of the very best Rhode Island online sportsbooks operating right now. Check them out today!
Rank | Gambling Site | Deposit Bonus | Get Started | |
#1 | 100% Up To $2,500 | Visit Site | ||
#2 | MyBookie | 50% Up To $1,000 | Visit Site | |
#3 | 100% Up To $1,000 | Visit Site | ||
#4 | Bovada Sports | 50% Up To $250 | Visit Site | |
#5 | 50% Up To $1,000 | Visit Site |
Here Are the Most Important Things to Look for in Rhode Island Sports Betting Sites
- Rhode Island online sports betting is available, but bettors are limited to just one online sports betting option. The Rhode Island Lottery runs the online sports betting market, and they have partnered with William Hill to offer a mobile app.
- Rhode Island is the smallest state in terms of area, which justifies its lack of professional sports teams. Still, RI is one of the states with access to legal and safe sports betting through sanctioned international sportsbooks, as well as, domestic in-person, online, and mobile sports betting options.
Over these past few years, the US online sports betting industry has dramatically improved. Today, most online sportsbooks in this country work hard to provide their players with the best possible experience. There are some features that all of the top Rhode Island sports betting websites provide to their members.
When you start with our list of recommendations, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find great online sportsbooks in Rhode Island that are perfect for you. You just need to know what to look for! Here are some of the features that the best online sportsbooks will provide.
Safe and Transparent Payment System
The most important feature of gambling websites today is a safe payment system. What exactly does that mean? Essentially, it’s the way that sports betting sites process your deposits and withdrawals. Payment systems today protect your money.
There are a few different ways that you can find more about a website’s payment system. The easiest way is probably heading over to our gambling site reviews page. Here, our team goes over all of the different payment options associated with different online sportsbooks.
It’s a great idea to check out these sites for yourself to see which forms of payment are accepted. Reputable sports betting sites in RI will clearly list the details of their payment system. If you find a website that doesn’t tell you which payment options are available, it might be shady.
We recommend that you join sportsbooks that allow deposits to be made using both debit and credit cards. Fees for these deposits should be minimal. At the moment, almost all of the US online sportsbooks only allow withdrawals to be made using cryptocurrencies. This may change in the future, once Rhode Island’s official sports betting app goes live.
Spend the time to find online sportsbooks and Rhode Island sports betting sites that offer you secure payment options. It’s the easiest way to stay safe while betting online.
Solid Customer Service Options
This is one of the most overlooked aspects of gambling sites today. Most people completely overlook how important a great, reliable customer support system really is. In case you’re unaware, a support system helps to answer your questions.
Rhode Island lawmakers have finally begun regulating the sports betting industry (more on that later). Until an official state-run sports betting website opens here, the only option to make wagers online is through gambling websites based in other countries. The government does not regulate these websites, meaning they won’t be able to help if you encounter an issue.
That’s why it’s so important to find reliable online gambling sites! We recommend that you play through Rhode Island sports betting sites that offer live chat or phone line support. They’re the best customer support options available today. We recommend that you avoid websites offering only email support. Generally, it will take weeks to actually answer the questions you have.
Great Design and User Interface
A website’s design is probably the easiest thing to look for. All you need to do is visit a few online Rhode Island sportsbooks and scroll through a few pages to get a feel for their style. The best designs, in our opinion, are modern and make it extremely simple for you to place bets.
The thing is, everyone has a different design preference. There are some that love simplistic websites, offering odds on just a few major sporting events. Others prefer busy online gambling sites with thousands of different betting odds available every single day. As long as you find a style that you enjoy, the website is probably great.
It’s a good idea to check out the sites we recommended at the top of the page. Each one is different and offers a truly unique design. The best sports betting sites in Rhode Island will make it easy to find the odds that you’re looking for.
Wide Range of Different Betting Odds
The last feature that all the best Rhode Island sports betting sites should provide is a huge range of different betting odds. As we mentioned earlier, the online sports betting industry is improving rapidly. Most online sportsbooks in the US will offer literally thousands of different odds for different sporting events every single day.
Some sites are known to offer different odds, though. If you’re a hardcore New England Patriots fan, look for some sports betting sites in Rhode Island that offer you odds on every game of the season! If you love MMA, check for an online sportsbook that provides odds on the UFC, Bellator, and PFL. It’s that easy.
Many Rhode Island sports betting sites are now beginning to offer fun novelty betting options as well! This allows you to place wagers on things like the weather, politics, and movie outcomes. Oftentimes, the odds for these novelty bets are better than traditional sports betting odds!
These are without a doubt the most important feature of gambling websites today. Now, let’s look at why online sports betting in Rhode Island is growing so popular right now.
Online Sports Betting Sites in Rhode Island Are Growing More Popular Every Year
It’s a great time for sports fans in this state. Lawmakers have begun to embrace the sports gambling industry, and two different casinos here now offer full land-based sportsbooks. This is all thanks to PASPA being struck down in May of 2018.
With PASPA now gone, every state can set its laws on sports gambling. Before this, only Nevada was legally allowed to provide sports betting odds. It’s breathed new life into the US sports gambling industry.
Both the Twin River Lincoln and Twin River Tiverton now offer legal sports gambling options. Interestingly, many people here still prefer to make their sports wagers online. We wanted to know why.
So, our team asked a number of online gamblers here why they prefer to make wagers at Rhode Island sports betting sites. There were two common responses to our question.
It’s the Most Convenient Option Available Right Now
Nearly everyone agrees that online sports betting is significantly easier than land-based betting. It offers you the chance to make wagers from the comfort of home. As long as you have access to the internet, you can place bets on your favorite teams and players.
There are a couple of legal land-based sportsbooks in the country, yet many residents in Rhode Island live miles away from these establishments! Rhode Island sports betting sites give you the opportunity to place bets from anywhere. You can even make wagers using your phone.
Massive Range of Different Betting Options
Generally speaking, online sportsbooks in Rhode Island offer even more betting options than the top land-based sportsbooks in the country. There are simply more gambling options available online. Every single day, you can find odds on major sporting events taking place around the world.
There are some fantastic online options to bet on sports live as well. Live betting is offered at most of the top RI online sportsbooks. As games progress, the odds change, offering you some great opportunities to cash out.
Are Online Sportsbooks in Rhode Island Actually Lawful?
Rhode Island was one of the first states to truly embrace sports betting legislation. A bill to legalize and regulate sports betting was approved here in late 2018. On November 26th of 2018, the Twin Rivers Casino became the first venue to officially offer sports betting odds.
In 2019, this bill was tweaked to allow sports betting in RI to officially begin operating. Unfortunately, there have been some delays in actually launching online sports gambling. There are, however, a huge range of Rhode Island sports betting websites that already operate here. These websites are based in other countries and are unregulated by the government.
Many individuals in this state are eagerly awaiting the state-run gambling website to begin operating. Others actually prefer to play through the websites based overseas. The specific legality of these Rhode Island sports betting sites is a little unclear.
Obviously, the state wants its residents to gambling through regulated sites. Many analysts claim that the state cannot punish those making wagers through websites based in other countries.
Section 11-51-1(a) of Rhode Island’s State Statutes defines gambling as: “‘Gambling’ includes, but is not limited to, pool-selling, bookmaking, maintaining slot-machines, roulette wheels or dice tables, and conducting lotteries, Policy, Bolita, or numbers games or selling chances in them.”
There are laws here that claim it’s illegal to run an illegal gambling operation. There doesn’t appear to be anything that specifically prohibits making wagers through sports betting sites in Rhode Island that are based in other countries.
Will I Be Prosecuted for Playing at Rhode Island Sports Betting Sites?
It’s very unlikely. Thousands of individuals here make internet wagers on a daily basis. Our team has not come across a single case of anyone facing legal trouble for making bets through Rhode Island sports betting sites.
*It’s important to note that we are not lawyers. You should always abide by your state’s laws. Feel free to contact a law professional for a more in-depth look into the legality of internet sports betting in this state.*
How Can I Stay Safe Playing at RI Online Sportsbooks?
It’s perfectly reasonable to be concerned about safety when gambling online. The internet gambling industry is still very new, and many are completely unaware of how it even works! Fortunately, most of the sports betting sites in Rhode Island take strict measures to ensure their players stay safe.
Competition is extremely fierce in the US online sports gambling industry. Any Rhode Island sports betting websites caught doing anything shady are quickly blacklisted.
Below are just a few simple tips you can follow to ensure that your online sports betting experience is nothing but fun.
Stick to Reputable Websites
As long as you only make wagers through reputable Rhode Island sports betting sites, there’s a great chance you’ll never encounter an issue. The top sportsbooks here work hard to make sure that you have the best experience possible. It’s recommended to play through betting websites that offer a range of great payment options.
Contact Customer Support When You Need It
Online sports betting sites offer you customer support to help you! This tool is available to answer your questions. Unfortunately, some individuals choose to ignore the issues they face when gambling online in RI. Make sure that you’re always willing to contact customer service! The top sports betting sites in Rhode Island will always be available to help you out.
Understand How Promotions Work
Promotions, in case you’re unaware, are bonus offers that gambling websites offer to their members. They can be a great way to boost your spending money, but it can sometimes make withdrawals difficult because of the requirements to clear them. Make sure you understand how promotions work before you decide to utilize them at the top Rhode Island sports betting sites.
Never Bet More than You Can Afford to Lose
This is one of the biggest mistakes online gamblers can make. Some gambling fans accidentally wager more than they should and lose a significant amount of money. We recommend that you track exactly how much you’re spending at Rhode Island sports betting sites. If you realize that your gambling habit is getting out of control, take a break for a little while!
Bet on Sports That You Know and Understand
Most of the top sports betting sites in Rhode Island offer players thousands of betting odds every single day. With so many options available, it can be tempting to wager on sports you know nothing about. This is almost never a good idea. Betting on sports you understand will significantly increase your chances of winning.
FAQ About Online Sports Betting in Rhode Island
How Much Money Can I Make Playing at Rhode Island Sports Betting Sites?
That all depends on how much you bet! Generally speaking, the more you wager, the more money you can win. Not many RI online sportsbooks set limits on how much money you can win. Betting on sports that you know about will help your chances of winning big.
What Sports Can I Bet on in Rhode Island?
You’d be surprised to find just how many betting odds there are online. Most sports betting sites in Rhode Island allow you to wager on thousands of different sporting events every single day. This includes the NFL, MLB, UFC, and NBA. There are even fun odds on things like television and movies!
When Will Rhode Island’s Regulated Sports Betting Platform Launch?
Based on numerous reports, the first officially-regulated sports betting app will launch in Rhode Island within the next few weeks. It’s unclear exactly how many betting options will be available through this online betting platform.
What Are Some of the Best Sports Betting Sites in Rhode Island Right Now?
Almost all of the best internet sportsbooks in the country are available in this state. From what we’ve seen, the two most popular sites that Rhode Islanders use are BetNow and BetOnline.
Why Should I Bet on Sports over the Internet in Rhode Island?
The choice to bet online is always yours! Most people agree that online sports betting is significantly more convenient than land-based betting. Spend a little time finding safe, reliable Rhode Island sports betting sites and check out the incredible list of betting odds available!
Conclusion on Sports Betting Sites in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is emerging as one of the country’s top sports betting hubs. Land-based sports betting is completely regulated here, and there are a huge number of great Rhode Island sports betting sites now available.
Head back up to the top of this page to check out the websites that we recommend! Each one is fantastic. Feel free to head over to our gambling blog page for expert betting tips on major sporting events taking place around the world.
Good luck with your bets!
With New York facing a $15 billion budget shortfall from the coronavirus pandemic, online sports betting is viewed as one possible way to inject much-needed money into the state. New Jersey legalized online wagers in 2018, and earlier this month, Governor Andrew Cuomo included an online professional sports betting plan in his executive budget proposal that he claimed would raise $500 million in revenue for the state.
Rivers Online Sports Betting Illinois
But many logistical hurdles remain. Cuomo’s proposal for legalization runs counter to what the Democratic supermajority in the state legislature is pitching. Some authorities are questioning the legality of the whole enterprise. And there are lingering concerns about gambling and addiction, particularly with the number of people sequestered at home and the opportunities that could be suddenly available to lose significant amounts of cash.
“I don’t see the governor’s proposal as workable in New York,” said Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, the chairman of the Committee on Racing and Wagering.
Right now, you can place horse racing bets on your smartphone through an app run by the not-for-profit corporation that oversees horse racing in New York’s three major tracks. Mobile betting for professional sports could theoretically function in a similar way. Currently, the servers for horse betting are located at the racetracks.
In both Cuomo and the legislature's proposals, the servers for mobile sports betting would be situated at places where bets are already taken, like casinos. The major overriding question is how many operators, or “skins,” as they are called in the industry, there will be, and who will get to profit.
Under Cuomo’s proposal, which still needs to be fleshed out further, the New York State Gaming Commission would be directed to solicit bids for a small number of mobile sports wagering operators. The system would be akin to how the state-run lottery functions, with possibly only one or a small number of operators overseeing sports betting. A single operator runs online sports betting in New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia. Overall, sports betting is now legal in more than two dozen states.
Robert Mujica, Cuomo’s budget director, said earlier this month that the advantage of the state proposal would be the ability to maximize tax revenue. “The fundamental question is: if you want to support the bottom line for casinos or New York’s students. And the governor’s proposal chooses students,” Mujica told the Wall Street Journal. (An identical statement was sent to Gothamist from Freeman Klopott, a budget spokesman for Cuomo.)
It’s not clear yet what Cuomo’s tax rate would be for his online betting model, though Mujica has asserted that it would be enough to raise $500 million a year. The state legislative proposal, co-sponsored by Pretlow and the chairman of the State Senate’s Racing and Wagering Committee, Joseph Addabbo, puts the number closer to $100 million annually.
At first glance, that would seem to make Cuomo’s proposal the better one, given the potential for serious state budget cuts without new forms of revenue. But lawmakers and some gambling industry insiders aren’t so sure. In New Jersey, which is generally viewed as a success given the number of people who place bets, there are as many as 17 legal online sportsbooks.
New York’s legislature is looking to take a similar approach, believing their proposal has a better opportunity for growth—more operators can lead to more options for consumers and more interest in placing bets. Addabbo calls his legislation “inclusive,” because it would also allow for Native American casinos, casinos on state property, and off-track betting sites to participate.
“Competition bodes better for our residents and will drive up revenues than being a narrow state-run lottery kind of system,” Addabbo argued. “New York finds itself in a very odd position not being a leader. We are outside looking in. New York right now is a three-wheeled car limping along in the right lane. New Jersey and Pennsylvania are speeding by us.”
Bennett Liebman is a government lawyer in residence at Albany Law School who previously advised Cuomo as the deputy secretary for Gaming and Racing. He said the difference between the two models is a question of what is being prioritized: more tax revenue, or a better model, long-term, for consumers and gambling interests?
“It all depends on what you want in your market. If you want what the governor is seeking, which the draft is very general, you are looking for maximum tax revenue, you will give it to one or two groups and you are going to tax them at a very high rate,” Liebman said. “If you are looking to create a robust market to help out casinos and consumers, then you go with, or you are more inclined to go with, the legislative plan.”
Liebman called the Cuomo administration’s $500 million revenue figure for online sports betting “very, very high,” and predicted a few operators would dominate the space in New York, like DraftKings and FanDuel have done in New Jersey. Casinos, racetracks, and online gambling in total generated a little more than $300 million in tax revenue for New Jersey in 2020.
Even if New York reached Cuomo’s projections—let alone the far smaller figure from the state legislature—online sports betting would represent only a minuscule fraction of a state budget that was $177 billion last year. One question hanging over the debate is whether the united front fighting for mobile sports betting in New York—the currently existing casinos, and operators like DraftKings and FanDuel—would crumble if only a small number of them were selected to make money from sports betting.
According to a constitutional amendment passed in 2013, sports wagering in New York is currently allowed only in physical portions of its four existing commercial casinos and other facilities operated by Indian tribes. Cuomo and supporters of online sports betting believe their proposal will meet the requirements of the state constitution by locating the servers for the betting websites at the physical casinos.
Neil Murray, an Albany attorney who has sued to oppose gambling in the state, said there was a “legitimate, serious question” about the constitutionality of online sports betting.
“The problem right now is the constitutional amendment that was passed several years ago does carve out exceptions for gambling at casinos. The operative word is ‘at’ and what does that mean?”
Murray argued the way the amendment was proposed—an economic stimulus for destination casinos that would prevent the proliferation of gambling statewide—contradicts the arguments made for mobile sports betting today. “If you allow online gambling and people can gamble from their living rooms, then of course that destroys the whole purpose on which gambling was authorized on a limited basis to begin with,” he said. “Everybody is counting on collective amnesia.”
Best Online Sports Betting
Pretlow, the state assemblyman, contended that his bill met the requirements of the state constitution but Cuomo’s would not if it chose to operate like the state lottery. The lottery is regarded as a game of pure chance with no skill involved, allowing it to circumvent a longtime prohibition on gambling in the state.
“The lottery has to be 100 percent chance. The lottery is not gambling,” Pretlow said. “It’s flip a coin, heads or tails, nothing in the middle. I think if the lottery were to handle sports betting, it would lead to a constitutional question.”
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