Rhode Island: status at a glance
| Online casino | Live, state-licensed |
|---|---|
| Sports betting | Online and retail |
| Online poker | Not authorized |
| Sweepstakes casinos | No ban found in our sources |
A state-run model
Most states license several private companies. Rhode Island went another way: the state itself, through its Lottery, sits at the top of gambling. The Lottery's home page describes its role as overseeing all aspects of lottery operations and gambling in Rhode Island, and lists its mission as generating state revenue from gambling products while promoting responsible play. Its office is at 1425 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston.
That is why there is no list of licensed operators to show here. We found no regulator page listing licensees, and industry trackers describe a single casino operator and a single sports betting arrangement. The detail is on the Rhode Island online casino page and the regulator page.
What the Lottery lists
The home page names these products: Powerball, Mega Millions, Keno, WildMoney, Numbers, Bingo, Millionaire for Life, instant games, video lottery and table games, pull tabs, eInstants and Second Chance promotions. It also links to a separate site for betting on sports in the state. The page states that players must be 18 or older. It does not separate that rule by product, and trackers report different minimum ages for casino games, so a resident should read the rules shown on the product they use.
How the law is organized
Gambling law sits in the General Laws of Rhode Island, and the sports and casino provisions are in chapter 42-61.2, which covers video lottery, table games and sports wagering. Trackers report that online casino games came through Senate Bill 948, signed in June 2023, with the first online games launching in March 2024. We did not read the bill text or the chapter, because the Legislature's server refused our connection, so those details are reported as trackers give them.
Sports betting and poker
Sports betting is online in the state, according to our status table, and the Lottery links to it. Industry trackers add that a second sports betting license was tentatively awarded in May 2026, which we could not confirm from a primary source. Online poker is not licensed. See sports betting by state for how this compares with other states.
Sweepstakes casinos
Our data records no Rhode Island law or enforcement action about sweepstakes casinos. They hold no license in any state, and licensed online casino games are available only through the state-controlled arrangement described above. The legal theory and the states that have acted are on are sweepstakes casinos legal, and the banned states page lists the places with laws.
Player support and help
The Lottery's page lists a Player Support number, 1-800-288-2485, for account verification problems, and a general line, 1-401-463-6500, for winning-number questions. Its FAQ page also gives the Lottery's 24/7 confidential Problem Gambling Helpline, 1-877-9GAMBLE (1-877-942-6253). The national helpline is 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738). The responsible gambling page lists more.
Frequently asked questions
Is online poker legal in Rhode Island?
It is not licensed. The Lottery's product list does not include online poker, and our status table shows none.
Who regulates online gambling in Rhode Island?
The Rhode Island Lottery, which describes itself as overseeing all aspects of lottery operations and gambling in the state.
Can I use a sweepstakes casino in Rhode Island?
Such sites hold no license. We found no state action on them, but licensed online casino games exist only under the state arrangement.
What is the minimum age?
The Lottery's home page states 18 or older. Trackers report that casino products may require more, so read the rules for the product you intend to use.