Rhode Island

If getting sports betting legalized after PASPA was a race, Rhode Island would have at least gotten a medal. The Ocean State passed a sports betting bill just a month after the historic ruling, but it’s important to note that the state’s betting infrastructure is much different than most.

It is common for bettors in northeastern states surrounding Rhode Island to be unable to wager on in-state college teams, and Rhode Island is no different. While betting on college sports is allowed, wagering on a University of Rhode Island basketball game, for example, is not.

Aside from in-state colleges, it is also illegal for bettors in the Ocean State to bet on politics and eSports. While there is only one legal mobile sportsbook available to bettors in RI, residents have the option to use DFS apps or racebooks that are not affiliated with Sportsbook Rhode Island.

Turning clam cakes into cash: Wagering on Rhode Island food contests

Rhode Island’s extravagant seafood festivals, particularly those that celebrate clam cakes and chowder, could be just the market needed to bring novelty betting to the state. Clam cake eating contests already attract large crowds, but introducing prop-style wagers, such as “most cakes eaten” and  “first to finish,” could enhance the excitement while increasing both engagement and revenue. With structured events and clear outcomes, these contests provide the groundwork necessary for legal, low-stakes betting.

Pairing these wagers with geofenced mobile apps or on-site kiosks would boost tourism and create new revenue streams without causing a massive shakeup to the betting infrastructure. Betting on clam cakes may seem lighthearted, but for Rhode Island, it could become a flavorful new frontier in cultural wagering and become their version of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Online sports betting in The Ocean State

The US Supreme Court overturned the Professional Sports and Amateur Sports Protection ACT in May 2018. By June of that same year, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo signed S2045 into law, allowing retail sports betting to launch in the state's two casinos.

Sports betting officially launched in Rhode Island in November 2018, thanks to the signing of S2045 into law. This bill allowed the state's two casinos to accept legal sports wagers, established the tax structure, and determined how sports betting revenue would be divided among the state.

While quickly legalizing sports betting was impressive, the state was still losing money due to low market volume. As a result, lawmakers developed SB37, which called for the state’s lottery, which oversees the sports betting industry, to offer online sports betting.

This didn’t mean the lottery could start handing out licenses to online operators, as the state did not want the online betting operation to be a bidding process. Therefore, the RI Lottery worked closely with William Hill to create its own mobile sports betting app, Sportsbook Rhode Island.

Sportsbook Rhode Island won't blow anyone away compared to brand-name mobile betting apps. Still, its simple layout and live betting function will at least satisfy bettors throughout the state. This sportsbook has been the only game in town for quite a few years, and it does not look like that will change anytime soon.

All legal RI sports betting apps in 2026:

Sports betting & gambling legislation in RI

No matter the size of the betting market in Rhode Island, bettors must adhere to the rules and regulations established by the Rhode Island Lottery. A key rule is that bettors must be 18 or older to place a wager. While lawmakers extensively debated remote registration, SB2919 and HB8097 ultimately clarified that bettors could create an account with Sportsbook Rhode Island from anywhere in the state.

Remote registration and the gambling age are just a few of the rules and regulations the Rhode Island Lottery oversees for sports betting. The state lottery also withholds 5.99% of all gambling winnings for state tax purposes.

After addressing the issue of remote registration in 2020, the state remained stagnant on gambling-related topics until 2023, when Gov. Dan McKee signed Senate Bill 948 Sub B into law in June. This new gambling bill legalized iGaming, including online poker, in the Ocean State. The first online casino in Rhode Island, launched by Bally's Corporation, officially opened on March 5, 2024, and is accessible via both the iOS mobile app and desktop.

From shore to sportbooks: Betting legality while sailing in RI

Rhode Island, also known as the Ocean State, boasts miles of scenic coastline and a rich maritime culture. But could this notoriety for the sea extend to sports betting? If a bettor is on a yacht, sailboat, or chartered fishing vessel just off the Rhode Island coast, could they still legally place a wager?

The answer depends on geolocation tracking. Rhode Island’s mobile sportsbooks require bettors to be within state lines, which means as long as a boat remains in Rhode Island’s territorial waters, betting should remain possible if there is cell service. However, if the vessel drifts beyond state lines, bettors could face legal gray areas where federal or international waters apply.

The state's thriving boating culture presents an intriguing opportunity for offshore betting experiences. Sportsbooks could partner with chartered yacht services, offering betting lounges where guests can place wagers while sailing past scenic Newport or Narragansett Bay. Promotions could provide exclusive odds and betting packages for bettors enjoying Rhode Island’s maritime lifestyle.

By integrating mobile sports betting into tourism, Rhode Island could expand its gambling market, attract more gamblers, and create a one-of-a-kind waterfront sportsbook experience unique to the Ocean State.

Most recent updates from the RI sports betting & gambling scenes

• January 8, 2026: Rhode Island plans to add one new online sportsbook to break IGT’s long-running monopoly, even though studies and some lawmakers pushed for as many as six operators. The Lottery will award a five-year deal, with bids due by February 19. Critics say one extra book is too little, while major brands like DraftKings and FanDuel are among the interested parties.

• December 2, 2025: After beating Central Connecticut in the first round, the Rhode Island Rams will play UC Davis as (+5.5) underdogs in the second round of the FCS playoffs.

• November 26, 2025: The Rhode Island Rams will host Central Connecticut State in the first round of the FCS playoffs. The Rams are favored by (-17.5).

• October 31, 2025: With the season starting on November 3rd, the Rhode Island Rams are (+8000) to win the A-10 Regular Season Title.

• October 24, 2025: Riding a two-game win streak, the Rhode Island Rams will host Bryant as (-20.5) favorites.

• October 10, 2025: Rhode Island weighs a shift from its current sports betting monopoly to an open market involving major brands like FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM. The state lottery's recent Request for Information drew interest from several operators, including IGT, which holds exclusive rights until late 2026. IGT's reputation took a hit after its app crashed during the NFL opening weekend.

• July 11, 2025: The state of Rhode Island saw $4.8 million in iGaming revenue, a 113% year-over-year increase.

• June 25, 2025: During finalizing changes to the state budget during the 2025 legislative session, Rhode Island made changes to existing legislation regarding smoking in casinos. As a result, Bally's two casinos in the state have reduced smoking levels.

In-person sports betting sites and locations

Retail sports betting in RI is limited to two locations, both casinos operated by Bally’s.

While horse racing is legal in the Ocean State, no racetracks or off-track betting locations exist. As a result, anyone interested in betting on horse racing must download and use a racebook available in the state, such as TVG.

The Quahog toss classic: Betting on distance, breakage, and splashdown style at local festivals

Only in Rhode Island could a hard-shelled clam become a projectile, and a celebrated one at that. Welcome to the Quahog Toss Classic, a well-loved tradition at coastal festivals where competitors throw hefty quahogs as far, fast, and creatively as possible. But beyond the splashes, potential elbow injuries, and cracked shells lies untapped betting potential.

A novelty betting market adaptation for these contests could see spectators wager on the longest toss, the cleanest splashdown, and more. Bonus props could include whether a quahog breaks upon impact, or if anyone will beat the all-time state distance record.

As Rhode Island continues to modernize its gaming laws, incorporating festival-based prop markets, such as the Quahog Toss, would be a logical and natural fit. With minimal infrastructure needed and strong local interest, this type of niche, community-rooted betting could generate seasonal handle spikes that could offset losses during sports off-seasons. It’s quirky, it’s regional, and it’s the kind of idea that can go viral in both gambling and traditional news.

Beat the heat with bets: Turning Dell’s Lemonade into a novelty market

On sweltering Rhode Island summer days, there’s no oasis more iconic than a frosty cup of Dell’s Lemonade. But why not pay for a lemonade with the winnings from betting on said lemonades? Dell’s Lemonade bets would allow locals and tourists alike to wager on which stand runs out of slush first when summer heat kicks in. From Narragansett Pier to Providence’s Waterplace Park, each location attracts a different crowd, making the outcome unpredictable.

Dell’s could provide a perfect low-stakes, high-engagement model that attracts new bettors to the state and increases business for Dell’s, which, at the end of the day, isn’t something they struggle with in the summer.

Sports betting in neighboring states

Residents tired of the limited betting options in Rhode Island can cross the state’s border to find a vast sports betting market in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

To read more about what sportsbooks are available in both CT and MA, click on their name in the info box below.

Sports betting revenue impact on Rhode Island's economy

Information regarding the sports betting license fee in Rhode Island is not available. For what it's worth, it is unlikely that the state will issue any more licenses for the time being, anyway, as the Ocean State seems content with its current retail and online operators. Rhode Island has one of the highest tax rates in the country, at 51%. New Hampshire has the same rate, which makes sense since both states have a monopoly on mobile sports betting.

Rhode Island's current sports betting infrastructure limits its earning potential. With only one mobile sportsbook and two retail betting locations, the state's monthly handle and revenue are likely to be low, as evidenced by a 2025 average monthly handle of around $37 million and monthly revenue of $3.4 million.

Looking at the annual totals, the RI sports betting market's 2025 wagering volume was $443.7 million, down 8.3% from 2024. The sportsbook revenue, however, was up 7.1% year-on-year, settling at $40.8 million. Thus, due to the RI's fixed betting tax, the state's tax income also rose by 7.1% YoY. So while 2025 wasn't all bad for Rhode Island in terms of betting data, the posted annual figures are already quite far from the high point of 2022, when RI bettors placed a total of $532.6 million in wagers, leading to $49.3 million in revenue and $25.1 million in taxes.

Rhode Island is one of three states with a monopoly on their sports betting infrastructure, and if these states do well in one area, it is tax revenue. With the high tax rate for operators, RI has collected over $127 million in tax revenue since legalizing sports betting, more than some states with a complete mobile betting app market and retail facilities. But if the state wished to revamp its betting scene to new heights, it may have to implement legislative and regulatory changes and allow multiple commercial sportsbook apps to join its market.

Rhode Island sports betting record months:

• Sports betting handle: January 2023 ($62,317,384)

• Revenue: November 2021 ($6,703,144)

• Tax income: November 2021 ($3,418,603)

Latest RI sports betting revenue report breakdown (December 2025)

• Total betting handle: $38,769,862

  • Mobile betting handle: $33,017,098

  • Retail betting handle: $5,752,764

    • Placed retail wagers at Twin River Casino: $3,672,164

    • Placed retail wagers at Tiverton Casino: $2,080,600

• Winnings paid to players: $34,141,833

  • Hold: 11.94%

• Gross revenue: $4,628,029

• Tax revenue for the state (51% of gross revenue): $2,360,295

Reported by the Rhode Island Lottery.

Recent revenue report data - Compared to the previous year (YoY)

Rhode Island's sports betting handle throughout the years - Month-by-month view

Chart: RI monthly betting revenue - YoY comparisons

RI sports betting revenue in 2026

The total monthly handle, revenue, and tax figures for Rhode Island in 2026 are presented below. The percentages in brackets indicate the change compared to the previous month.

2025 betting revenue data

2024 revenue data

Yearly revenue totals

Rhode Island’s sports betting revenue: Where does the money go?

Since legalizing sports betting in 2018, Rhode Island has relied on a state-controlled model that allocates a significant portion of betting revenue to public funds. Unlike states that allow competing sportsbooks, Rhode Island operates under a single-operator system, or a monopoly, in which the state lottery oversees all sports betting operations, ensuring a higher percentage of profits is funneled directly into state programs.

A significant portion of sports betting tax revenue is allocated to the state’s general fund, which helps support public services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure improvements. However, because Rhode Island is a small market, its total sports betting revenue is significantly lower than that of other prominent East Coast states, such as PA or NJ.

Despite generating millions of dollars annually, some experts argue that Rhode Island could increase revenue by allowing greater market competition, as neighboring states do. As sports betting continues to grow, future legislative discussions may explore expanding the number of sportsbooks, which could increase tax revenue and provide additional funding for public projects.