American Gambling Markets Atlas (AGMA)

States / Rhode Island / Sports betting

Is sports betting legal in Rhode Island?

Yes. In Rhode Island, online and in-person sports betting are legal (as of Oct 11, 2026). Online betting launched Jul 1, 2019; in-person betting Nov 2018. Operators pay 51% GGR in tax.

ChannelStatusLaunchedModelDetails
Sports (online)LiveJul 1, 2019Monopoly StateGov. Raimondo signed a mobile sports betting bill in March 2019, effective July 1, 2019. Revenue is split by statute 51% to the state, 32% to the state's authorized sports-wagering vendor, and 17% to the host facilities (Twin River and Twin River-Tiverton).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-61.2-5, § 42-61.2-16
[1],[2]
Sports (retail)LiveNov 2018Monopoly StateRhode Island's first sportsbook opened at Twin River (Lincoln) in November 2018, shortly after the legislature authorized sports wagering following Murphy v. NCAA; Gov. Gina Raimondo signed the enabling legislation in June 2018. Operated via the state's sports-wagering vendor (William Hill, later Bally Bet).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-61.2-2.4, § 42-61.2-3.3
[1],[3]

Tax rate

RateSinceNotes
51% GGR (online)Jul 1, 2019State's share only; statute: "To the state, fifty-one percent (51%)" of sports-wagering and online sports-wagering revenue.[2]
51% GGR (retail)Nov 2018Same statutory split applies to retail and online sports wagering.[2]

Rules

Number of online sportsbooks live as of as_of date
1 · Rhode Island uses a single state-contracted sports-wagering vendor (originally William Hill, now operating as Bally Bet), unlike competitive multi-operator states.[1]

Licensed sportsbooks

OperatorBrandChannelStatusLaunched
Bally's CorporationBally Bet (Rhode Island, online)Sports (online)pending[4],[5]
IGTSportsbook RI / Sportsbook Rhode Island (online)Sports (online)activeJul 1, 2019[1],[4]
IGTSportsbook RI / Sportsbook Rhode IslandSports (retail)activeNov 2018[1],[4]

All gambling laws in Rhode Island → · Sports betting in every state →

Sources

  1. Bally's Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
  2. R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-61.2-5 — Allocation of sports-wagering and online sports-wagering revenue · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
  3. R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-61.2-2.4 — State to conduct sports wagering hosted by Twin River and the Tiverton gaming facility · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
  4. Rhode Island expands sports betting market with Bally's license · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
  5. Bally's Becomes Rhode Island's 2nd Approved Online Sports Betting Operator · retrieved Oct 10, 2026