Rhode Island has allowed sports betting since 2018, but only one app has ever been legal. Here is why, what Bally’s second license changes, and what happened to the bill that almost opened the market.
Quick answer: Yes. Sports betting has been legal in Rhode Island since 2018, but the state runs it as a single-operator monopoly through Sportsbook Rhode Island (IGT). As of September 2026, that’s still your only state-licensed app, though Bally’s has a second license waiting to launch once IGT’s exclusivity ends on November 26, 2026.
Rhode Island was one of the earliest states to legalize sports betting after the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that opened the door nationwide. But instead of inviting a dozen sportsbooks the way Colorado or New Jersey did, Rhode Island kept it locked down to one operator.
That’s changing, slowly. Here’s exactly where things stand, what’s coming next, and what your options look like today if you want more than one app to bet with.
Key Takeaways
- Sports betting is fully legal in Rhode Island — online and retail — since a June 2018 budget bill.
- Sportsbook Rhode Island (run by IGT) has been the state’s only licensed sports betting app since it launched in September 2019.
- Bally’s won a second license in May 2026 but can’t launch before November 26, 2026, when IGT’s exclusivity period expires.
- A bill to add up to five operators (SB 3118) passed the Senate 30-6 in June 2026 but died in the House before the session ended.
- The legal betting age is 18 for sports wagering, though online casino games require players to be 21.
- Online casino (iGaming) is also legal in Rhode Island, launched in March 2024, run exclusively by Bally’s.
This guide draws on Rhode Island General Assembly bill text (S 3118), Rhode Island Lottery public records, and reporting on the Bally’s second-license award from Rhode Island Current and SBC Americas. We recheck this page whenever the legislature or Lottery makes a move.
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Is Sports Betting Legal in Rhode Island?
Yes. Rhode Island legalized sports betting when Gov. Gina Raimondo signed a budget bill in June 2018. Retail betting opened at the state’s two casinos that November, and mobile betting followed in September 2019.
Unlike most states, Rhode Island didn’t open its market to competing sportsbooks. The Rhode Island Lottery — the state agency that regulates gambling here — runs sports betting as a monopoly through its vendor, IGT. The product is called Sportsbook Rhode Island, and it’s the only legal sports betting app in the state.
Where You Can Bet
Retail sportsbook counters operate at Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort and Bally’s Tiverton Casino Hotel. The Sportsbook Rhode Island mobile app works statewide once you’re physically inside Rhode Island — you don’t need to visit a casino first to use it, but you do need to register in person at one of the two properties before you can bet on your phone.
What’s Changing in 2026?
Rhode Island’s single-operator setup is finally starting to crack open, just not quickly.
Bally’s Second License
In May 2026, the Rhode Island Lottery awarded Bally’s Corporation the state’s second sports betting license. That’s a real second option finally coming — but not immediately. IGT’s exclusivity contract with the state runs through November 26, 2026, so Bally’s app legally can’t go live before that date. The exact launch date is still being negotiated as part of Bally’s contract.
Senate Bill 3118 — Died in the House
A separate, bigger push tried to open the market to as many as five operators. Sen. Frank Ciccone III’s SB 3118 passed the Senate 30-6 on June 4, 2026, and was sent to the House Finance Committee. The House never scheduled a vote before the legislative session ended, so the bill died for 2026. It could come back in a future session, but as of now, Bally’s is still the only additional operator with an actual license in hand.
| Operator | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsbook Rhode Island (IGT) | ✅ Live now | Only licensed app since 2019 |
| Bally’s | ⏳ Licensed, not yet live | Cannot launch before Nov. 26, 2026 |
| Additional operators (SB 3118) | ❌ Bill died in House | Could be reintroduced in a future session |
Offshore Options While You Wait for More Competition
With only one legal app in the state, some Rhode Island bettors look at offshore sportsbooks for a second set of lines or bet types Sportsbook Rhode Island doesn’t offer. These sites are licensed outside the U.S. and are not part of Rhode Island’s regulated market, so you lose the Lottery’s oversight and any state-backed complaint process if something goes wrong.
| Sportsbook | Best For | Deposit Options |
|---|---|---|
| Bovada | Live in-game betting | Crypto, cards |
| BetOnline | Line variety, prop bets | Crypto, wire transfer, cards |
| MyBookie | Reload bonuses | Crypto, cards, wire transfer |
| BetUS | Payout speed | Crypto, cards |
| Everygame | Sport and market variety | Crypto, cards |
Rhode Island Gambling Law Basics
- Sports betting age: 18, both online and retail.
- Casino gambling age (including online casino): 21.
- Regulator: Rhode Island Lottery, working exclusively with IGT for sports betting and Bally’s for online casino.
- Online casino: Legal since March 2024, run exclusively by Bally’s — the only other state besides Delaware using a single commercial iGaming operator.
Gambling involves risk. Only wager what you can afford to lose. Must be 18+ to participate in sports betting or 21+ for casino gambling in Rhode Island. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-522-4700 (National Council on Problem Gambling) or dial 211.
References: Rhode Island General Assembly, SB 3118 (2026 session); Rhode Island Lottery public records; Rhode Island Current, “Bally’s picked to launch Rhode Island’s second online sportsbook” (May 26, 2026); SBC Americas, “Rhode Island Senate Passes Bill to Add More Sports Betting” (June 5, 2026); CAI Advocacy 2026 Rhode Island End of Legislative Session Report.
