Rhode Island Sports Betting 2025: Legal Status & RI Sportsbooks
LEGAL (LIMITED)
Rhode Island sports betting is legal both online and at casinos, but RI bettors only have one app and limited options under the state-run system.
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Last Updated: 21 August, 2025
Yes, sports betting is legal both online and in person in Rhode Island.
You can place bets through the state-run Sportsbook Rhode Island app or at Bally’s Twin River Lincoln and Bally’s Tiverton.
Only one online sportsbook is available, and it's managed by the Rhode Island Lottery.
Key facts of Rhode Island betting
How do I gamble in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island makes it simple to place legal bets, but your options are limited.
The state runs all online sports betting through one betting app.
Commercial casinos offer retail sportsbooks, but tribal gaming isn’t part of the mix here.
Daily fantasy sports in Rhode Island
DFS is legal in Rhode Island, based on a 2016 legal opinion.
DraftKings and FanDuel both operate in the state with pick’em and fantasy contests.
There’s no specific DFS law, but platforms are allowed to run freely.
Other legal gambling options
Rhode Island offers two commercial casinos, Bally’s Twin River Lincoln and Bally’s Tiverton, with slots, table games, and sportsbooks.
You can also legally bet on horse racing online through betting sites like TVG and FanDuel Racing.
Social sportsbooks are available and growing in popularity, especially with users under 30.
The Rhode Island Lottery also runs online draw games, scratch-offs, and keno.
You must be 18 or older to bet on sports in Rhode Island. This applies to both online and retail betting.
However, you must be 21 or older to play casino games, including slots and table games.
Can I bet on sports in another state?
Yes, but you must follow the rules of each state.
Sports betting laws vary, and you need to be physically located in a legal state to place bets there, even through an app.
For Rhode Islanders near state borders, nearby legal betting states include Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York.
All three offer retail sportsbooks and allow online betting with popular operators like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM.
Just cross the border, enable location services, and you’re good to go; no need to be a resident.
Betting sites to avoid
Some offshore sportsbooks claim to accept players from Rhode Island, but they aren't legal or regulated in the US.
These sites operate outside of US law, offering no consumer protections, limited oversight, and risk to your funds or personal data.
⚠️ Stick with legal, state-approved options to stay safe and protect your money. ⚠️
Pros and cons of sports betting in Rhode Island
Pros
- ✅ Online and retail sports betting are both legal
- ✅ You can bet at 18, younger than many states
Cons
- ❌ Only one online sportsbook is available statewide
- ❌ No betting on Rhode Island college teams allowed
Latest sports betting updates in Rhode Island
The future of sports betting in Rhode Island
Rhode Island sports betting is legal, active, and tightly controlled by the state.
But the future depends on whether lawmakers open the market to more operators or keep the current lottery-led model in place.
Right now, there's no sign of competition being introduced.
The partnership between the Rhode Island Lottery, IGT, and Bally’s means the state holds a near-total monopoly on online and retail sports betting.
While this guarantees state revenue, it limits consumer choice, promotions, and innovation compared to states with open markets.
Our prediction?
Rhode Island is unlikely to change its model soon.
The state’s small size and existing revenue share (with over 50% going to the government) make it unlikely to shift toward a competitive market without major public or political pressure.
Other types of legal betting in Rhode Island
While sports betting is legal in Rhode Island, the state also allows a few other gambling options, both in-person and online.
Horse racing
Rhode Island no longer has live horse racing, but online horse betting is legal.
Sites like TVG and FanDuel Racing let you wager on races across the country.
Bally’s Lincoln still offers simulcast betting, though Bally’s Tiverton’s racebook may have closed.
Daily fantasy sports
DFS is legal based on a 2016 opinion from the state attorney general.
DraftKings and FanDuel operate freely in Rhode Island.
No specific law was passed, but there’s no active effort to restrict DFS play.
Pari-mutuel wagering
Though there are no active racetracks, pari-mutuel betting is allowed at racebooks inside Bally’s casinos.
You can also wager on races online via licensed ADW sites.
Charitable bingo and raffles
Charitable gaming is legal and regulated in Rhode Island.
Nonprofit groups may host bingo nights and raffles with proper local approvals.
Yes. Social sportsbooks are legal in Rhode Island and operate under sweepstakes rules. These platforms don’t offer real-money gambling but do let you win cash prizes. Popular options include Fliff and Rebet, which offer sports-style pick’em contests and bonuses without violating gambling laws. They’re a legal alternative for more casual or social bettors.
How to start betting in Rhode Island
Some guides may suggest using national sportsbook apps, but in Rhode Island, legal betting is limited.
We’ll show you the real, legal ways to gamble, online or in person, without risking your money on illegal sites.
Daily fantasy sports
DraftKings, FanDuel, and other DFS platforms operate legally in Rhode Island.
You can enter pick’em contests, salary-cap leagues, and season-long formats.
No state license is required, but providers follow local guidelines.
Players must be at least 18 and physically located in the state.
Online horse race betting
You can place online bets on horse racing through sites like TVG, TwinSpires, and FanDuel Racing.
Rhode Island allows online advance deposit wagering, even though there are no live tracks in the state.
You can bet on races across the U.S. and internationally.
Accounts are free to set up and legal for residents 18 and older.
Charitable gambling
Nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island may offer games like bingo and raffles with proper approval.
Local municipalities oversee licensing and compliance.
These events are often held by schools, churches, and veterans’ groups.
Prizes vary, but regulations ensure transparency and fairness.
Social sportsbooks
Fliff and Rebet are two social sportsbooks available in Rhode Island.
These platforms use sweepstakes models instead of real-money wagering.
You can place free picks and win real cash prizes using promotional credits or sweepstakes coins.
No deposit is required to start.
They’re legal and safe for casual players looking to enjoy sports contests.
Crossing state lines to bet legally
Rhode Island residents can also travel to nearby states for more sportsbook options.
Massachusetts and Connecticut both offer multiple legal online sportsbooks, including DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM.
If you cross into those states, you can download an app, register, and place bets.
Just remember, your phone’s location must verify you’re physically in the state where the bet is placed.
Social sportsbooks in Rhode Island
Social sportsbooks are legal in Rhode Island and give users a way to enjoy sports picks without real-money betting.
These platforms use sweepstakes or virtual currencies to let players win cash prizes or bonuses.
1. Fliff
Fliff offers legal sweepstakes sports picks using Fliff Coins and Fliff Cash.
You can play for fun or for real cash prizes.
New users can start for free and win without spending money.
The app is easy to use and includes odds on major US sports.
Available statewide to players 18+.
Top features
Dual-currency system for free and cash play
Regular pick’em contests and promotions
No deposit required to win cash
Wide range of sports markets
Fully legal under sweepstakes rules
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ Free-to-play with real cash prizes
- ✅ Legal and accessible in Rhode Island
Cons
- ❌ Fewer sports than full sportsbooks
- ❌ Limited bet types
2. Rebet
Rebet is a newer social sportsbook with an interactive, community-driven design.
It offers hundreds of leagues, live betting, and social features like game chats.
You place picks using Rebet Coins or Rebet Cash, and winnings can be redeemed for prizes.
Rebet is fully legal in Rhode Island.
Top features
Live contests with leaderboards
Prop city feature for high-action picks
Bonus offers with sign-up
Social chat with other players
Mobile-first design
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ Fun, community-style betting experience
- ✅ Flexible gameplay with or without purchase
Cons
- ❌ Less structured than traditional sportsbooks
- ❌ Smaller prize pool for free players
Types of bets in Rhode Island
Rhode Island offers most of the standard bet types you’ll find at any legal sportsbook.
Here are the main options:
Moneyline: A bet on which team will win the game. Odds determine your payout—favorites have lower payouts, underdogs pay more.
Point spread: You bet on whether a team will cover the spread. The favorite must win by more than the set number; the underdog can win or lose within the spread.
Over/under: Also called totals, this is a bet on whether the total combined score will go over or under a set number.
Futures: You bet on a future outcome, like who will win the Super Bowl or a division title. These are long-term bets with higher potential payouts.
Parlays: A single wager that links two or more bets. All selections must win for you to get paid, but payouts are much higher.
Prop bets: Short for proposition bets, these focus on specific outcomes, like a player’s total yards or who will score first.
Live betting: You can place bets during a game as the odds shift in real time. This allows you to react to the action as it unfolds.
Responsible gambling in Rhode Island
Rhode Island offers legal sports betting and online casinos, but it also takes problem gambling seriously.
The state provides several resources to help people manage or stop unhealthy gambling habits.
Whether you need guidance, support, or a break from gambling, help is available 24/7.
If you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, contact one of these resources:
Rhode Island-specific resources:
Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-877-9GAMBLE
Rhode Island Lottery: www.rilot.com
Rhode Island Council on Problem Gambling: ricpg.com
National support organizations:
National Council on Problem Gambling: www.ncpgambling.org
Gamblers Anonymous: www.gamblersanonymous.org
SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Common signs of problem gambling include:
Chasing losses, hiding gambling behavior, gambling with money you can't afford to lose, or feeling anxious when trying to cut back.
If any of these apply, seek help. You don’t have to handle it alone.
Read our guide to responsible betting here.
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