On June 20, 2024, Governor Dan McKee signed bills H6348 and S948, making Rhode Island the seventh state in America to legalize online casinos. With this official approval, residents and visitors of the state are now legally permitted to engage in online casino gaming.
This article discusses…
- Regarding the Legislation to Approve Online Casinos
- The state is exclusively monopolized by Bally Casino.
- The Bill being passed
Despite legalizing online casinos, the bill imposes stringent regulations, one of which mandates the use of live dealers for all table games.
Rhode Island stands apart from states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania in terms of online casinos. While these states boast multiple options, Rhode Island currently only has one online casino available, and it seems unlikely that any others will enter the market in the near future.
Bally Casino currently enjoys a monopoly in the state, offering a wide array of casino games created by renowned developers like IGT. Residents of the state can indulge in a vast assortment of games, including slots, Blackjack, Poker, Roulette, and virtually any other online casino game, thanks to the comprehensive provisions of the bill.
Given that Bally collaborates with the local lottery to manage two physical casinos, it is logical for them to also introduce an online casino under the same brand.
In addition, Bally played a crucial role in the introduction of retail sports betting in 2018, followed by the launch of digital betting the following year.
As of now, Bally Casino is not available in the state since the law will only take effect on March 1, 2024. Once it does, Bally Casino will officially join New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Delaware, Connecticut, and West Virginia in offering a comprehensive range of online casino services.
Rhode Island successfully legalized online casinos within a span of fewer than 60 days.
Few were aware of the process before the news broke that the state had legalized online casinos, as the bill swiftly passed through both chambers in under two months.
Dominick Ruggerio, the Senate President, initially backed the sports betting bill and continued to show his support for the online casino bill, stating:
“This legislation aims to enhance the convenience for residents of Rhode Island who wish to engage in the currently available table games at Twin River using their mobile devices. It also plays a crucial role in safeguarding the competitiveness of state facilities in the regional gaming market. By doing so, it secures a significant source of revenue that supports essential state programs and investments.”
Monitoring gaming fairness and responsible gambling habits becomes significantly more accessible as the state has decided to solely utilize a single online casino brand for revenue generation. A consensus has been reached, allocating 61% of online slot and 15.5% of table game revenue to the state. The remaining earnings will be distributed among Bally, IGT, and the two land-based casinos within the state.
