Online Casinos Rhode Island

The online gambling industry has developed significantly over the last few years. Rhode Island is not part of this liberalization trend, opting to keep casino sites illegal for the time being. Below, we will explore the current legal status of the online casinos Rhode Island seems to set against.

  • Rhode Island gambling law checked by experts
  • Overview of current Rhode Island gambling scene
  • Future of online casinos in Rhode Island
  • 0 Legal Online Casinos
  • 2 Legal Land Based Casinos
  • 10 Legal social Casinos
  • 10 Legal Bingo / Lottery Games
  • Responsible Gaming
  • Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation

Rhode Island Online Casinos – Laws in Rhode Island

As mentioned previously, online casinos in Rhode Island are illegal under the current gambling laws. The state has not deemed it necessary or desirable to liberalize the industry. Currently, there is no framework for regulating online casinos within the state. As such, they are functionally illegal.

Based on the current laws, playing at an online casino is technically against the law. However, the local authorities don’t seem interested in going after online gamblers. In this sense, RI players could get away with playing at certain sites. Still, if you would like to visit legitimate operators, you can keep track of the gambling laws to see when Rhode Island online casinos will be available.

Online Gambling in Rhode Island

Rhode Island is not as conservative with its online gambling sector as other states, despite what the status of online casinos would imply. Currently, online gambling Rhode Island landscape boils down to sports betting. It was legalized in 2018, and now, two land-based casinos take bets online.

Additionally, 2016 saw Rhode Island legalizing daily fantasy sites. Other forms of gambling are still unregulated, and you will have no legal avenue to enjoy them.


History of Gambling in Rhode Island

Rhode Island’s history of gambling is not particularly interesting, though there are certain high points to make a note of. While its online sector might be illegal or in a grey area, retail gaming has been permitted for some time. The first bets on horse races were introduced in the ’30s, while the state lottery was established in 1973.

When it comes to casino gaming, RI residents were initially against it, but attitudes changed over the years. Now, there are legal land-based casinos as of the early 2010s. This evolution of legislation did not carry over to Rhode Island online gambling laws. Many forms of online gaming are still illegal, but the state did permit sports betting and daily fantasy.


General American Gambling History

Looking at Rhode Island is probably enough to give a rundown of US gambling history in a nutshell. For the most part, online gambling is not effectively regulated or straight-up illegal in most states. There are only a handful of states where online casinos can operate without issue. Here are the only states in the US with legal online casinos and licenses.

The Wire Act of 1961

The Wire Act of 1961 was a major piece of legislation that affects Rhode Island online gambling laws to this day. It made accepting wagers over wire communication methods illegal. Of course, wire communication tools at the time included the telephone. Unfortunately, Internet gambling also met the definitions of the Act. This prevented US operators from offering their services to Americans everywhere.


Black Friday 2011

Another major event in US gambling history took place on Black Friday 2011. We saw forceful closure and seizure of domains and bank accounts of the top US poker sites on this day. In one fell swoop, the federal government had dealt a crushing blow to US online gambling. With this being the general attitude of lawmakers all over the country, is it any surprise that Rhode Island online casinos are still illegal?


Popular Online Casino Games in the US

While the online casinos Rhode Island residents want are still not on the horizon, we have some information to work with concerning the potential game products. States with legal casino sites have seen a surge in the number of players, and we have access to statistics that indicate popular game types.

Therefore, it stands to reason that if RI online casinos were to be legalized, they would offer the same games. Of course, this is all speculation, but it’s fun to theorize on the subject. With that in mind, here are our top predictions for potential Rhode Island online casino games.

Online Blackjack in Rhode Island

When the time comes for Rhode Island online casinos to make their introduction, we are convinced that one of the most popular games will be blackjack. Currently, you can only play retail blackjack in Rhode Island, but we are holding out hope for the future.

Online blackjack in Rhode Island would be an instant hit, much like it was at NJ online casinos. This game is always fun to play. More engaging than any other casino product, blackjack attracts some of the most driven players. Of course, casuals can also enjoy this card game. If RI casino sites were ever to come about, blackjack would be a crucial part of their offerings.

Online Roulette in Rhode Island

Another major selling point of future online casinos in Rhode Island has to be roulette games. Nowadays, modern casino sites – such as those in Pennsylvania – offer premium roulette titles, the kind that you would find at land-based venues. As you can imagine, these are incredibly advanced and entertaining.

Roulette is perfect for both casual players and high rollers. Moreover, it also gives you the opportunity to pick from a wide range of bet options, including both low- and high-risk wagers. In short, roulette has great versatility. If online casinos ever appear on the scene, you can be sure that there will be online roulette in Rhode Island for everyone.

Online Slots in Rhode Island

Of course, no Rhode Island online casinos can afford not to include slots in their game libraries. The slots genre has become the most popular online casino product in 2024. As a result, there are thousands of slot games available on the Internet, best exemplified at the legal New Jersey casino sites.

Currently, modern slots take many different shapes and sizes. Game developers get to experiment with a plethora of themes and aesthetics, as well as a variety of special game mechanics. This makes each slot a unique experience in itself. Online slots in Rhode Island would be exactly the same, and we are certain that any experienced gambler will enjoy them.

Online Poker Rhode Island

Rhode Island online gambling laws do not currently allow online poker rooms. This is definitely a drawback, as reports indicate high demand for this gaming product in the state. Still, with the current trend of liberalization, it is not outside the realm of possibility for it to be permitted.

If our dream were to come true, online poker in Rhode Island would not be that different from other states’ poker rooms. Specifically, you would have access from a desktop or a mobile device. Moreover, we also expect popular variations such as Hold’em, Stud, Omaha, and others.

Land Based Casinos in Rhode Island

If you are a gambling fan in Rhode Island, you still have the chance to play at land-based establishments. As of 2024, there are only two dedicated venues that come with everything you might want from brick-and-mortar casinos in Rhode Island. Additionally, both also have a sportsbook section, allowing you to bet on sports events.

Rhode Island Land-Based Casinos Overview
Fred Williams Author and Casino Expert
Twin River Casino Hotel 🍒 4000+ slot machines, 🃏 111 table games
Tiverton Casino Hotel 🍒 1000+ slot machines, 🃏 32 table games

Comparison of Land-Based and Online Casinos

Naturally, land-based gambling in Rhode Island is not the same as its online counterpart. Both offer distinct experiences, as well as specific pros and cons. Retail gaming is definitely more immersive and involved, enhanced by the atmosphere on the gaming floor. Online gambling, on the other hand, is convenient and offers more unique games than any land-based casino can. Both come with specific trade-offs, and we recommend having a shot at each type.


The Future of Online Casinos in Rhode Island

So now that we have a rough idea of how things stand in the state, what about the future of those best Rhode Island online casinos that we’ve been craving for? So far, everything is still up in the air. There is no indication that Rhode Island has any intention to legalize casino sites. Still, if there are any significant developments, we will keep you up to date.

The Future of Gambling in Rhode Island

As far as the other types of gambling are concerned, there is hope for further liberalization of the industry. So far, Rhode Island online gambling laws are malleable, as proven by the legalization of online sports betting in 2018 and daily fantasy in 2016. As such, the possibility for further developments is entirely possible.


Online Gambling Rhode Island: No Legal Sites

While there are no legal online casinos in Rhode Island, we think that there is hope for the state. Unlike other more conservative jurisdictions, Rhode Island is not entirely against online gambling. Therefore, it is completely realistic for online casinos to receive the green light, given enough public and political support.

Rhode Island might not be able to enjoy online casinos just yet, but the future looks promising.
Fred Williams Author and Casino Expert

FAQ About Rhode Island Online Casinos

If you have more questions on the topic, we recommend taking a look in the FAQ below. We have gathered the most vital queries by players and interested gamblers and presented them in a short and concise form.

👮 Are Rhode Island online casinos legal?
Real money online casino Rhode Island sites are currently illegal. As such, there are no regulated operators where you can play casino games on the Internet. Based on the current RI online casino laws, it is a crime to play at unlicensed sites or to host one.
🤔 Is online sports betting also illegal in Rhode Island?
Interestingly enough, online sports betting is legal in Rhode Island. The state's online gambling laws as of 2024 permit sports betting and daily fantasy. Unfortunately, other forms of gambling are outlawed, and there is no legal alternative for them available.
📍 How do I spot a fake Rhode Island online gambling site?
Right now, there are no legal RI online casinos. Any operator that says otherwise is lying. If there are any important future developments, we will keep you posted and update this page. Until then, it is best to stick with the available land-based product.
⚖️ What forms of gambling are legal in Rhode Island?
Retail gambling in Rhode Island includes casino gaming, sports betting, daily fantasy, lotteries, and more. Generally, the state has no issues with the brick-and-mortar scene, although locations are limited. As of 2024, there are only two land-based casinos in the state.