Rhode Island might be small but this state has gone the extra mile to keep up with its neighbours. From the get-go, the state has made sure it doesn’t lack in legal gambling options. The state made sure that it legalised both horse racing and lottery shortly after most of the other states.

In Rhode Island, the first form of gambling legalised was the lottery. The state lottery was passed through a constitutional referendum in 1973. The first lottery ticket, however, was only sold in May 1974. The Rhode Island Lottery only joined the interstate lotto drawings in 1988. And four years later they rolled out video keno. Now drawings are held every four minutes in bars, bowling alleys and other similar businesses.

Horse racing in this state dates back to the early 1900s with Renegard tracks offering off the book betting on races. While this slowed during the Great Depression the demand quickly returned and the state started regulating racing in 1977. Greyhounds operated in the early days too but they were later retired and the focus was placed on the horses.

The two racetracks legal in the state are permitted to offer slots, video poker and electronic table games. This was only made possible in 1992 when casinos/racinos became legal under video lotteries. The main reason for this was to keep locals from heading to Connecticut's Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun for gambling action. Then in the early 2000s, the tracks started lobbying for table games to become available in their establishments. It was only in 2012 that residents of Newport and Lincoln were asked if table games should be permitted at the tracks. There was an overwhelming number of support for the approval of table games at Lincoln’s Twin River Casino but Newport’s Grand received a heavy rejection from the locals.

Daily fantasy sports was declared legal in the state in 2016 by the Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin. This gambling activity can be enjoyed on all the major DFS sites who are actively operating in the state.

Sports betting is legal for anyone who signs up at a brick and mortar casino but there is no legislation in place for any other online gambling activities.

The Rhode Island gambling industry has several regulatory bodies that ensure all forms of legal gambling is enjoyed safely and responsibly. Anyone who wishes to offer one of the legal gambling forms will have to contact the necessary regulatory bodies and follow the required licensing procedure.

The Rhode Island Lottery is in charge of the state’s lottery products. The Rhode Island Lottery is also the largest voluntary income for the state and generates revenue that benefits all who live here. Since it was established in 1974 the lottery has transferred more than $7,400,000,000 into the state’s general fund. This fund supports everything from health care to public safety and the environment. The Rhode Island Lottery is responsible for maximizing revenues where possible and use it for the best interest of the citizens of the state.

The Rhode Island Gaming & Athletics department oversees the state’s gaming industry along with all other athletic contests in the state. This section of the Department of Business Regulation is responsible for supervising the enforcement of laws relating to licensing and regulation of gaming and athletics activities which includes simulcast wagering. They are also responsible for the collection of racing taxes and fees. The department also oversees simulcast wagering operations at Twin River Casino Hotel and Tiverton Casino Hotel. They also enforce all rules and regulations and ensure fair and responsible gambling takes place at the respected establishments.

The Rhode Island State Police is in charge of charity gambling activities and any group that wants to offer charity gambling must contact the State Police’s Charitable Gaming Unit. Their page has all the information regarding the application forms as well as the laws regarding charitable gambling in the state. The Charitable Gaming Unit’s only objective is to serve the citizens of Rhode Island and protect their interest in any matter that includes gambling for charitable purposes. By law, the State Police is in charge of all charitable gaming activities in the state which includes raffles, bingo nights and more. If charitable bingo games take place they are not allowed to award prizes larger than $7,500 in a single night.

The Rhode Island Gambling Laws are available online ensuring anyone has clarity regarding what forms of gambling activities are legal and illegal in the state.