While online casinos are illegal in the state, the gaming options available to residents are enough to satisfy the avid bettor. Two full-service casinos are available in Rhode Island. Twin River Casino is situated in the north and Tiverton Casino Hotel in the east. Tiverton Casino & Hotel was formerly the Newport grand casino before it sold to Twin River.
Out-of-state gambling is not very common with the presence of these two facilities. However, competition is brewing between Rhode Island casinos and those in neighboring states such as the MGM Springfield casino, Massachusetts, the Encore Boston Harbor, and the Foxwood Resorts in Connecticut.
Rhode Island’s gambling history mirrors those of the majority of US States. The state lottery had funded the government in the 1700s, then in the 1800s, religious movements eliminated gambling activities. Finally, In the 1900s, gambling started budding again. Pari-mutuel horse races were prominent in the late 1900s, but they eventually died off as the lottery and casino gambling took off.
Mobile sports betting here is perfectly legal, and there is an operational online sportsbook. Joining the mobile sportsbook has rather peculiar requirements. Players need to register in person at one of the two land-based casinos. Then you can place your stake and play via mobile from anywhere within the state.
Daily Fantasy Sports are prominent among gamblers in Rhode Island, and sites like FanDuel and DraftKings are the most popular. Back in 2016, the Office of the Attorney General ruled in favor of DFS sites, so it no longer falls into a legal grey area.
Players can choose to join online social casinos like MyVegas, which provide tangible rewards. On the site, you play and collect loyalty points as you advance. You can then exchange those points for prizes at any MGM casino venues. For sweepstakes, sites like Chumba Casino and Global Poker are available.
Legalizing online gambling in the state has been abortive so far, but as things stand, it might be possible to do so through a referendum rather than a constitutional amendment. State residents are not hostile to the idea, so there may be a glimmer of hope.
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Interesting State Facts
The official name of the ocean state is Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Besides the moniker “ocean state,” it is also nicknamed Little Rhody. It is the 50th state according to size, covering only 1214 square miles. It may be small, but it’s got a big coastline of nearly 400 miles. Rhode Island is 14% water, and numerous beaches attract hoards of visitors during the summer. It also boasts the first circus in the US and the first open golf tournament.
Rhode Island throughout history has been very unpredictable. It was the last of the original 13 colonies to ratify the constitution and shocked the country when it decided to legalize online sports betting.
Rhode Island Gambling Venues
There are no tribal casinos in the state and the two commercial facilities belong to The Twin River Management Group. Twin Rivers also has its own social site that works just like the actual casino expect there is no real money to be won. However, it is an excellent way for players to familiarize themselves with the casino’s offerings. Other social casinos are Big Fish, Double Down, and Zynga.
At Twin River Casino, you can find 4,200 slot machines and more than 100 tables. There is also a full sportsbook while a kiosk serves punters at Tiverton. The sportsbook uses technology from IGT and William Hill, both of which are reputable brands.
Video Lottery terminals (VLTs) are present in both casinos. These machines look like regular gaming machines, but the state’s lottery commission is the authority in charge. VLTs offer a variety of gaming options, including slots, blackjack, keno, and poker variants.
Online poker is illegal, so you have to head to either of the state casinos to bet on a hand or two. If legislation were to permit mobile poker offerings, it would do wonders to compensate for the losses resulting from neighboring competitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Real money casinos in Rhode Island have safety measures for their customer’s money. There are different payment options and you can pick whichever payment option is favorable. Online casinos do not release your private information and as a customer, you should keep your personal details private. You should not share your bank information with anyone so as to keep your winnings safe.
Rhode Island online casino sites have more games than Rhode Island brick and mortar casinos. Most online casinos have a large collection of games, so you can choose whatever game you like and enjoy gaming. Some of the games offered include blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps, slot games, and live dealer games.
Like most other states in the United States of America, the laws surrounding online casinos in Rhode Island are not so clear. There is no specific law guiding online gambling in Rhode Island and lawmakers are working on regulating online casinos. Rhode Island is a state which welcomes online gambling.
Staying safe while playing games at online casinos in Rhode Island is achievable. To ensure your safety, make sure you join reputable online casinos, avoid casinos that are shady and do not have any positive reviews. Read about the payment options, be sure that you can withdraw your winnings from the casino site. Before claiming any bonuses or promos make sure you read the terms and conditions extensively and read the bonus requirements. Keep your account information private, don’t share with anyone so your winnings can be safe. Most importantly gamble safely, don’t get addicted to gambling, track your gambling habits.