Sports are as much a fabric to American life as freedom and democracy are, so it should come as no surprise many folks like to toss a little good old-fashioned capitalism into the mix. By throwing a couple bucks down on the Patriots or Red Sox, people can gain a lot off a little risk all while enjoying an exciting victory. Residents of Rhode Island are well aware of these facts while cheering on their favorite teams and players and that is why we have built this page. Legal online sportsbooks for Rhode Island residents are available for anyone of legal age in the Ocean State and we will outline where to go below.
There are a few federal and state laws to consider before throwing cash down on the first online sportsbook one comes across. The federal laws in place over the entire nation strictly prohibit the business of gambling within U.S. territory without the proper licensure. That being said, you should never attempt to open your own bookmaking site, but you can bet freely at reputable online sportsbooks. As of now, RI does not have any state-licensed sportsbooks which is sports fans use sites operating outside of the United States. This means that there are plenty of legal sports betting sites for Rhode Island residents to take advantage of while perusing the internet for the perfect bet.
With such a simple parameter established for legality, there are innumerable amount of legal Rhode Island gambling options when talking about sportsbooks for Residents. Many of these sites are even tailor-made just for use by an American audience and have been operating for years while providing steady payouts and privacy to users anywhere in the country, the Ocean State included. We have shared a couple of our favorite legal online sportsbooks that accept Rhode Island players below that locals in the region are free to utilize without worry or concern of the law.
By far the most popular internet betting site for U.S. residents is the service provided by Bovada.lv. Located in nearby Montreal, Quebec, Canada, this site has been in business since the nineties and even started as the American site ‘Bodog’. After changing federal laws necessitated a move, Bovada continues its exemplary services in the Great White North both safely and legally as the finest legal online sportsbook for Rhode Island residents in the land.
Featuring betting lines on practically every sporting event in the world, bettors can take advantage of Bovada’s favorable odds on every major American sport through the moneyline, spread, over/under or even the fractional odds. In fact, bettors can even make bold predictions with the site’s futures section such as picking next year’s Super Bowl or World Series Champion. New members are able to collect winnings before they even make their first bet as this legal online sportsbook for Rhode Island residents grants a 50% bonus to every first deposit made to the site worth up to $250 to wager anywhere on the network.
Among our favorite legal online sportsbooks for Rhode Island residents is the magical betting lines and odds one can find at BetOnline. Operating out of Latin-America’s banking capital of Panama City, this U.S.-centric site has been mailing consistent payouts to American bettors for years without trouble or delay.
Members of BetOnline join millions of others who wager upon the site every day while respected companies such as ESPN, Yahoo Sports and USA Today all tout the betting lines that this online sportsbook provides. Whether one is looking to win big off a horse race or simply take the spread in a close NFL matchup, users will discover a number of ways to win. In fact, this online sportsbook issues a win to every new member that makes his or her first deposit with BetOnline’s lifetime 25% bonus worth up to $1000. This generous bonus extends to every deposit ever made during membership, which keeps Ocean State locals in the game with a smile on their face.
| Sportsbook | Bonus | Rhode Island Welcome? | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada Sportsbook | 50% Up To $250 First Deposit | Yes | Visit |
| BetOnline Sportsbook | $1,000 On All Deposits - 25% | Yes | Visit |
| SportsBetting | 50% Match On First Deposit | Yes | Visit |
| 5Dimes Sportsbook | 50% To $200 Then 20% To $500 | Yes | Visit |
Up until recently, single-game wagering was limited to the confines of the Nevada state line. Now, however, Rhode Island and other states are on the fast-track toward opening state-licensed sportsbooks. While there are not currently any land-based sportsbooks in Rhode Island, sports betting was approved by voter referendum in 2016. With PASPA out of the picture, the Rhode Island Legislature can move forward with regulating sports betting in the state.
In the meantime, sports fans can continue to use sports betting sites to bet on sports without leaving the state. The nearest physical destination to place a sports bet is in Delaware, which provides limited parlay-style bets on NFL games. Right now, the only place in the Ocean State where locals can make full sports wagers is by using a legal online sportsbook for Rhode Island residents.
There is good news for all prospective bettors in Rhode Island who are legal adults – you’re allowed to bet on sports in your home state. Unlike some states that force residents to wait until they are 21 to bet on sports, in Rhode Island, as long as you can light a cigarette and go to war, you can put money down on the New England Patriots. That system makes sense to us.
Overall, the Ocean State has little to say when it comes to using a legal online sportsbook for Rhode Island residents. For now, anyone wanting to wager on their favorite teams and players can continue to use a sports betting site that is located outside of the United States. If locals follow the simple rules of never engaging in the business of gambling or facilitating bets for profit and are of legal age, they will find plenty of opportunities to win big under the rule of law. With the federal ban on sports betting no longer an issue, the state may offer both land-based and online sports betting at its casinos in the future.