Rhode Island Sports Betting and Online Sportsbooks
Since the Supreme Court put sports betting into the hands of the states, online sports betting is making moves across the country. The top sportsbooks are battling it out in new sports betting markets for new users. What about Rhode Island? Can you bet on sports in Rhode Island? Here’s what you need to know about Rhode Island online sports betting.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Rhode Island?
Retail and online sports betting is legal and available in Rhode Island. There are a couple of retail locations and one online sportsbook for Rhode Islanders to place legal sports bets. So there aren’t a lot of options in Rhode Island for sports bettors in terms of sports betting sites or retail sports betting.
Online Sports Betting in Rhode Island
There is just one online sportsbook and betting site in the state. The state was able to legalize sports betting and the only app or website available is Sportsbook Rhode Island. It is a product of the Rhode Island Lottery while collaborating with William Hill. Sports bettors can use the app to bet from anywhere in Rhode Island.
Will more sportsbooks enter the online gambling space in Rhode Island? It doesn’t look like the odds are high for more online betting options. The Rhode Island sports betting law makes it difficult for new operators to join in on the action in RI. For now, all mobile sports bets or bets online go through the Rhode Island Sportsbook.
Latest Rhode Island Sports Betting News
Rhode Island was one of the first states to legalize sports betting in 2018. Sports betting became legal in June of 2018 and the first bet was placed in Rhode Island in November of 2018. The legal age to bet on sports in the state is 18 years old.
Online sports wagering was added in 2019 as the state realized there was more revenue to be made with mobile betting on sports from anywhere within Rhode Island’s borders. Sportsbook RI online gave bettors another option.
There are strict rules on sports betting revenue as the state divides proceeds 51% to the state government, IGT gets 32%, and the sportsbook/casino gets 17%.
The state banned wagers on in-state college teams regardless of where the games are being played for the college sports teams. RI sports betting allows for betting on in-state teams for certain major tournaments and events.
Retail Rhode Island Betting Locations
In terms of retail legal gambling, there are just two locations to find sports to bet on in Rhode Island. You can visit Bally’s Triverton or Bally’s Twin River Lincoln. Both retail locations partner with IGT and William Hill for sports betting in the Ocean State.
As of now, it doesn’t look like there are any plans to expand Rhode Island retail betting or legal online betting options. Sports bettors gambling in Rhode Island has just three total options including the online Rhode Island Sportsbook and Rhode Island’s two casinos.
Popular Teams and Betting Options in Rhode Island
There are no major professional sports teams in the state of Rhode Island. With that being said, there are professional teams that are close by in nearby states including the New York Giants, New England Patriots, and Boston Red Sox. Bettors can place sports bets on some of the most popular teams at sportsbooks in Rhode Island.
Remember, there is no betting on in-state college teams in legal Rhode Island betting. You will have to choose betting lines on teams outside of the state.
Popular Bet Types with Online Sportsbooks
There are plenty of bet types you will see if you bet on sports from anywhere in Rhode Island with the online sportsbook. Here are a few of the common bet types you might see.
Moneylines
A moneyline bet is a wager on which team will win a game or event. You are betting on the straight-up winner. The odds are usually negative for a favorite and positive for an underdog. This is because you have to bet more on a favorite to win. For example, the Patriots are -175 favorites vs the Bears. To win $100 betting on the Patriots, you would have to bet $175.
Spreads
A point spread is a bet on the margin of victory of a game. This is a good way for sportsbooks to balance games that have a heavy favorite. When picking a team to cover the spread, they need to win or lose by a certain number of points, runs, goals, etc.
For example, the Celtics are +4.5 underdogs vs the Bulls. For the Celtics to cover the spread, they need to lose by four points or less. They can also win the game.
Totals
A total bet is also referred to as an over/under. This is when a sportsbook sets a line on the total combined score of both teams. You bet over or under that line.
For example, the Boston Red Sox are playing the Chicago Cubs with a run total of 9.5. If you bet the over, you need at least 10 runs scored by both teams combined to win the bet.
Props
Prop bets are wagers on outcomes within games. They don’t always tie directly to the end result. You can bet on a player to hit a home run, a player to score a certain amount of points, who will score the first touchdown in an NFL game, and more. There are team, game, and player props available at major sportsbooks.
Daily Fantasy Sports in Rhode Island
Daily Fantasy Sports contests were ruled to be legal by former Attorney General Peter Kilmartin. There is no specific law for DFS in the state but people can participate in the contests from major DFS platforms. An alternative for sports fans due to the lack of Rhode Island sportsbooks and online sportsbook apps.
Rhode Island Online Sports Betting FAQs
Yes. Sports betting legislation was passed in 2018 for retail sportsbooks in Rhode Island and the first retail bet was placed in November 2018. In 2019, the state added online sports betting with one sportsbook option, the Sportsbook RI.
If you want to start betting, there is just one app in Rhode Island for online betting. Residents can use the Sportsbook Rhode Island for online betting in the state. You can also visit a Rhode Island casino to bet in person in the state.
Yes. You can use your mobile devices to bet on sports using the Sportsbook Rhode Island. It’s currently the only online betting option in the state.
There are just three sportsbooks in the state including online sports betting options. You can bet in person at Bally’s Tiverton or Bally’s Twin River Lincoln. You can make online wagers using the Sportsbook Rhode Island app.
The Rhode Island Lottery oversees sports betting in the state. They are in charge of licenses and the rules of sports betting.
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