When it comes to online gambling laws in the United States, the eastern state of Rhode Island in New England isn’t half awful. There are land-based casinos, an online sportsbook, pari-mutuel wagering, and a state lottery. Nonetheless, wagering in Rhode Island casinos remains one of the final frontiers. There are currently no such opportunities in the Ocean State.
Our Reviews of Rhode Island Online Casinos
Rhode Island is located in the eastern portion of the New England cluster of states. This is the tiniest territory in the United States. It consists of only 1,214 square miles, of which 14% is water. This state has a mixed bag of wagering options: while there are two land-based casinos, there are no online casinos, for example. However, the laws here are quite surprising. Rhode Island was the first state to legalize sports wagering, despite the fact that Puritan laws on gambling in New England would have been expected to have a more enduring impact on the state. Below, we examine these topics in detail, including online sportsbooks, gambling in New England, online casinos in Rhode Island, and Puritan gambling laws in New England.
Legality Of Rhode Island’s Land-Based Casinos And Online Casinos
Rhode Island, as well as the rest of New England, has an assortment of wagering laws. The law permits some forms of wagering while prohibiting others. Ocean State residents and visitors will be pleased to learn that there are two full-service, land-based casinos in the state. The Twin River Casino Hotel in Lincoln and the Tiverton Casino Hotel in Tiverton are the establishments in question. These casinos offer a combined wagering space of nearly 200,000 square feet, with over 5,000 slot machines and dozens of table games. The minimum casino gaming age in Rhode Island is 21 years old. Rhode Island was the first state to offer sports wagering to its residents and is a major sports betting market. This occurred not too long ago, however. In fact, the US Supreme Court ruled in May 2018 that the moratorium on the practice was unconstitutional. It was a decision that enabled sports wagering in June of the same year. Today, Road Islanders can participate in online sports wagering. Additionally, at the Twin River Casino Hotel in Lincoln and at the Twin River Tiverton Casino and Hotel’s dedicated kiosk. Interestingly, because gaming company IGT provided all the technical expertise necessary to make sports betting possible in Rhode Island, casinos today make a very small profit from this practice: 51 percent of the profits go to the state, 32 percent to IGT, and 17 percent to the casinos.
That is not all, however. This state’s lottery was legalized in 1973 and is now affiliated with games such as Powerball and Mega Millions. Additionally, it permits pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing. Although there are no racetracks in the state, as Narragansett Park and Lincoln Downs both closed in the 1970s, Rhode Island has no racetracks. Throughout the decades, a number of referenda have also brought bingo and pull-tab lottery activities to Rhode Island. In addition, Newport Jai Alai and Lincoln Greyhound Park offer a limited number of opportunities for off-track wagering. Meanwhile, charitable wagering and house-based gambling, such as bingo in senior retirement facilities, are authorized. When compared to the options available in some of the more liberal states, this may not seem like much. However, it is quite progressive for a New England state. It’s easy to forget 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 home should get rid of them before the next court session – or face punishment.
This may seem inconsequential in the modern world, where some people disregard gambling laws, particularly those pertaining to online wagering, but times were very different in the past. In fact, just seven months after this prohibition, the Massachusetts Puritans made adultery a capital offense. It also prohibited residing with native Americans, smoking in public, and wearing ostentatious attire. In contrast, missing Sunday service would land you in the stocks, while celebrating Christmas would cost you five shillings. Therefore, Puritan laws on wagering in New England had a significant impact on gambling in New England states. Nevertheless, given Rhode Island’s current gambling laws, one could be excused for assuming that the Puritan influence on this New England state is completely gone. The state continues to prohibit online casino gambling and does not regulate or license online casinos. This means that Rhode Island residents and visitors cannot play their beloved games for actual cash. These include roulette, poker, slots, baccarat, blackjack, online craps, pai gow, and everything else that can be played for real money online. Social casino wagering, on the other hand, is permissible, and companies such as Big Fish, Double Down, Zynga, and Virtual Gaming Worlds operate from within the state. In the meantime, MGM Resorts’ MyVegas games can also be played, allowing Rhode Islanders to earn loyalty points redeemable at MGM properties.
Present-day Land-Based Gambling in Rhode Island
Casino County Unique Features Casino Games
Former greyhound track replaced by the Twin River Casino Hotel in Lincoln.
Virtual table sports.4,200 Slots
125 Tables Games
Tiverton Casino Hotel Tiverton Hybrid Stadium Seating: allows multiple games to be played on a single machine.1000 Slots
30 Table Games
Rhode Island Online Gambling Statutes
The Ocean State may not have particularly stringent laws regarding land-based gambling, but online wagering is a different story. In fact, at the time of writing, Rhode Island residents and visitors cannot play any of their beloved casino games for real money at an online casino in Rhode Island. Numerous legislators have attempted to alter this aspect of Rhode Island’s stance on wagering. One of the most recent bills introduced by Representative Charlene Lima in 2018 would permit the online sale of scratch-off cards. However, it is widely believed that if online gambling, including online casinos in Rhode Island, were to be put to a vote of the people, it would likely pass.
Online Sportsbook in Rhode Island
While online casino games are prohibited in the state, online sports betting is entirely lawful. This means that Rhode Islanders can place online wagers on sporting events without fear of breaking the law. (given they are at least 18 years of age). Below, we list New England sports wagering options that offer this type of gambling.
Sportsbook in Rhode Island
Casino Casino Games
Rhode Island Sports Betting Powered by William Hill, this website allows you to wager on a variety of sports, including tennis, boxing, hockey, baseball, football, and American football. The site, which is affiliated with Twin River Casino, also features a mobile version.
What should I know about Rhode Island Online Casinos?
While Rhode Island has an online sportsbook, it is illegal to play casino games for real money at a Rhode Island online casino.
Citizens may visit one of the state’s two commercial land-based casinos, the Twin River Casino Hotel in Lincoln or the Tiverton Casino Hotel in Tiverton.
Numerous websites and apps facilitate social gambling (i.e., playing casino games without wagering real money).
In addition, Rhode Islanders can participate in the state lottery, pari-mutuel wagering, and a variety of other forms of gambling.
What Rhode Island Players Should Know About the Laws Governing Offshore Casinos
Due to the fact that Rhode Island’s wagering laws prohibit the playing of online casino games in the state, a number of players choose to “bypass” the law by playing at offshore casinos. Offshore casinos, for those unfamiliar with the term, are online casino websites registered in other jurisdictions. In this case, they could be in another US state or even in a foreign country with friendlier gambling laws or lower taxation, such as UK casinos, Malta, Gibraltar, or Curacao. There are several reasons why we strongly discourage this practice. To begin with, playing at offshore-registered casinos from Rhode Island is still a violation of the current gambling laws, as it is the same as playing casino games online. Second, if something goes awry, your rights, your data, and your money may not be secure if the government cannot assist you. As a result, we always advise players to play at online casinos registered in their jurisdiction, or at commercial land-based casinos.
Online Casino Games Available in Rhode Island
Unfortunately, Rhode Island has prohibited online casinos, meaning that residents cannot play their beloved casino games online for real money. This includes roulette, online slots, poker, baccarat, craps, and blackjack, among others. However, the state of Rhode Island does permit participants to play online socially (i.e. for free), and there are numerous websites where this is possible. MGM Resorts also offers MyVegas activities, through which Rhode Islanders can earn loyalty points redeemable at MGM properties. Rhode Islanders can also legally wager on sports via an online sportsbook. There are presently two sites that provide this service, including the Twin River Casino Hotel-affiliated Rhode Island Sports Betting.
Options For Depositing At Rhode Island Online Casinos
As it is unlawful to play casino games online in Rhode Island, there are no payment methods that can be used at online casinos in the Ocean State. This may not seem optimal or equitable, but we do not recommend playing at offshore-registered casinos, as they may not always function as you would expect or prefer, and it is illegal. Have some pressing concerns regarding wagering in Rhode Island, New England? Want to learn more about online casinos in Rhode Island? Our section of speedy questions and answers has you covered.
Rhode Island Online Casinos Frequently Asked Questions
Is it lawful to gamble online in Rhode Island?
No, similar to the laws governing wagering in New England states, it is prohibited in Rhode Island to play casino games online for real money. Nonetheless, Rhode Island players can visit one of the state’s two land-based casinos, the Twin River Casino Hotel in Lincoln or the Tiverton Casino Hotel in Tiverton, wager on sports through an online sportsbook, participate in the state lottery, and engage in pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing. Additionally, greyhound racing provides a limited number of betting opportunities.
Can I gamble at an online casino from my smartphone or tablet in Rhode Island?
No, it is prohibited in this state to play casino games online on any device, including a desktop computer, laptop, notebook, mobile phone, or tablet. In spite of this, there are a variety of legal wagering methods that can be played on a mobile device, including online sportsbooks for real money and social casino sites and applications that are played for free.
What casino games can I play at online casinos in Rhode Island?
If you want to play casino games for money, there are no restrictions; however, you can play casino games for amusement on social wagering websites. These include, among others, roulette, poker, slots, baccarat, blackjack, pai gow, and craps. However, on social wagering websites, you do not wager real money, so it is legal. In the meantime, this New England jurisdiction also offers online sports betting. This service is available at two websites, including the Rhode Island Sports Betting website.
Can dollars be used to play online casino games?
The laws governing wagering in the New England state of Rhode Island prohibit the use of either actual or virtual currency in online casinos. However, if you are wagering on sporting outcomes through a Rhode Island online sportsbook, you can use dollars.
Are these Rhode Island online casinos governed by the government?
All of the casinos listed on this website are regulated, legal, and take every precaution to safeguard your money, personal information, and legal rights. Despite this, there are no online casinos in Rhode Island because they are prohibited in the Ocean State. For this reason, we only list state-approved land-based casinos, online sportsbook websites, and social gambling websites where you can participate for free.
Am I eligible for an online casino incentive at a casino in Rhode Island?
No, online casino incentives are only redeemable by those with access to online casino websites, which unfortunately excludes Rhode Islanders. We anticipate, however, that if the state legalizes such operations, online casinos will offer users many of the fantastic casino incentives available to players elsewhere, such as welcome bonuses, no-deposit bonuses, free spins, etc.
How do I begin gambling for real money at an online casino in Rhode Island?
Unfortunately, there is no means to do so because the laws governing wagering in the New England state of Rhode Island prohibit online casinos. However, you can access sites to participate socially (for free) or Rhode Island Sports Betting for online sportsbooks where you can place wagers for real money.
What are the most prevalent online casino payment methods in Rhode Island?
Unfortunately, we have no information regarding this, as online casinos are prohibited in Rhode Island. Typically, payment options would include credit and debit card options. Typically, eWallets, such as PayPal in PayPal Casinos, and direct bank transfers are accepted. Since Rhode Islanders are prohibited from playing at online casinos, we do not recommend making a deposit at any online casino, including those registered in offshore jurisdictions.
In Rhode Island, am I required to pay taxes on my wagering winnings?
Yes, the state requires taxpayers to report all income, including winnings from wagering. The structure of this levy was altered in 2012, and participants now pay on their gross rather than net winnings. In other words, if you win $60,000 but also lose $30,000, you must still pay tax on the winnings.
Stay Safe and Legal When Participating in Online Casinos in Rhode Island
We trust we have answered all of your inquiries about New England gambling laws, Rhode Island online casinos, and Rhode Island online sportsbooks. Always adhere to the laws of the jurisdiction you’re in, and never risk more than you can afford to lose. In light of this, best of success!
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