Rhode Island is the smallest state in the country by area with a total area of 1,214 square miles. It’s ranked 43rd in terms of population. There aren’t any major professional sports franchises in this small state, however that doesn’t mean Rhode Island residents are any less passionate about sports. Locals may feel sports ties to neighboring Massachusetts, as that state has several professional sports franchises. Regardless, Rhode Island residents can place bets on any of their favorite teams through any of the licensed online sportsbooks outlined in this guide. There are a few laws and regulations in place that relate to sports related wagering—both in the US and the state of Rhode Island specifically—and this guide will provide information on the legalities concerning sportsbook betting in Rhode Island.
Is It Legal To Bet On Sports In Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has strict laws against running an illegal sportsbook—or taking wagers on sports—within state borders. The state doesn’t have any laws against the placing of bets, or wagering with offshore sportsbooks. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, or PASPA, restricts state-sponsored sports betting in 46 states, including Rhode Island. The Federal Wire Act restricts bettors from placing bets with US based sports betting sites online. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) monitors banks and their processing of funds acquired through gambling related transactions. While all of these laws combine to effectively prohibit US based sports betting action in RI, none of them prohibit residents of the Ocean State from participating in legally sanctioned sports betting at licensed and regulated sportsbooks that are located outside of the United States. All of the sportsbooks on this page are legitimate online sportsbooks that are licensed, certified, and subject to regulatory oversight from a respected governing jurisdiction.
Top Rated Sportsbooks Accepting Rhode Island Residents
Not sure which sportsbooks to bet with? Rest assured; we’ve put together a list of the best sportsbook available based on your region. These sportsbooks are all legally licensed and regulated and also have the proper certifications needed to operate legitimately. They have established themselves as premier betting destinations within the industry and are similar to the sportsbooks that you’d find in Las Vegas. Contrary to the Vegas sportsbooks, these sportsbooks offer incentives like player bonuses, mobile betting and a vast array of betting lines and wagering options. Their state-of-the-art security protocols keep your personal and financial information safe. Lastly, these sportsbooks accept Rhode Island residents and allow locals to bet on their favorite sports teams.
| Logo | Site Name | Bonus | Rating | USA | Visit Site |
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Betonline Sportsbook | 50% Max $2500 |  |
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Visit Site |
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Sportsbetting | 75% Max $1000 | |
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Visit Site |
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Bovada Sportsbook | 50% Max $250 | |
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Visit Site |
How State and Federal Laws Regulate Sports Betting in Rhode Island
PASPA was passed in order to thwart the rapid legalization of sports betting across the country. Only four states were allowed to offer legalized sports betting—Montana, Delaware, Oregon and Nevada—and this is because these four state already had some form of sports betting in place prior to the law’s enactment. The Federal Wire Act was passed in 1962 and was an effort to stop the involvement or organized crime in sports betting. The Department of Justice released a formal opinion on the Federal Wire Act back in 2011 declaring that it relates to online sports betting based in the US. It is not illegal to place bets online at the offshore sportsbooks that we’ve recommended because they are not affected by any US federal laws. The UIGEA’s goal is to clean up the transaction processes related to online gambling—minimizing money laundering and providing a secure means of transferring money. This law doesn’t make it illegal for US bettors to bet online, it just circumvents the shady side of gambling transactions. Rhode Island state law only applies to betting with illegal bookies or sportsbooks within state lines. Operating an illegal sportsbook comes with even greater penalties. These sportsbooks that we’ve suggested are all offshore, so they are outside the jurisdiction of both US federal and Rhode Island state laws.
FAQs About Betting On Sports
How Do Offshore Sportsbooks Work?
They actually operate uch like the sportsbooks you’d find in Nevada. These sportsbooks have similar betting lines—such as spread bets, parlay bets, total (over/under) bets, prop bets and more, just on a larger scale. They also offer bonuses that the Nevada sportsbooks can’t match. All you have to do is register for an account, deposit money into your sportsbook account and then simply click on the bet you want to make and enter in how much you want to wager.
What Is A Prop Bet?
A “prop” bet is short for propositional bet. Prop bets include specific occurrences or non-occurrences during a sporting event. These types of bets could include something related to the game, such as, “Will the Golden State Warriors score 30 points in the first quarter?”, or it could be something a little more specific like, “Will Steph Curry sit out for the last 2 mins of the fourth quarter?” Prop bets open up a whole new line of betting that can create some interesting odds. Because the bets are so specific, there is usually a lot of money to be made.
How Do Rhode Island Residents Register For An Account At An Offshore Sportsbook?
You should note that you don’t have to create an account simply to browse the features, betting lines and bonus offers found at any of these sites. Interested bettors can explore each site to deterine if it’s what they’re looking for before creating an account. Even then, you aren’t committing to placing a bet when you sign up. All you have to do is enter in some personal information such as your name, address, phone number, etc. The sportsbooks want to know where you’re betting from and if you’re a real person. There are no signup fees applied.
Do I Have To Deposit Money Into My Sportsbook Account?
If you want to place a bet through the sportsbook, then yes, you need to deposit funds. You can’t place a bet unless you have money in your sportsbook account. You can deposit money in several ways including credit/debit card, Bitcoin, money order and more. The deposit methods depend on the sportsbook you use, so be sure to check the Terms of Service.
How Do I Receive My Winnings?
Withdrawals work similar to the deposit procedures. Some sportsbooks restrict your method of the withdrawal based on the one you chose for deposits, so be mindful of that when making your selection. Some of the most common withdrawal methods include check (may take up to 7-10 business days), Bitcoin and wire transfers. If you want to make a withdrawal, simply navigate to your account page and select the withdraw option.
Has Anyone Ever Been Arrested In Rhode Island For Using These Sportsbooks?
Not to our knowledge. Rhode Island state law says nothing about betting with these offshore sportsbooks. The federal laws like PASPA, the Federal Wire Act, and UIGEA only pertain to US-based betting sites. These offshore sportsbooks are legally licensed and regulated, so Rhode Island residents aren’t in violation of any laws by betting with them.
How Do Bonuses Work?
Bonuses are part of what separates these sportsbooks from Nevada-style destinations. Bonuses are promotional offers given to bettors throughout the year. They come in the form of “free money” that is applied to your sportsbook bankroll and can be used for bets. Bonuses are offered throughout the year (the first bonus is usually applied when you successfully make your first deposit) as incentives for bettors to keep placing bets with the sportsbooks. They are typically structured as a match deposit offer in which the sportsbook agrees to match a certain percentage of your deposit up to a designated amount. Wagering requirements are also associated with these bonuses.