Legal Poker For Rhode Island Residents

Rhode Island has regulated certain forms of gambling, including poker. Residents can play charity poker and even take part in poker games held in licensed establishments. The state, however, has not yet legalized intrastate online poker.

On this page, we have tried to provide all information regarding poker laws in Rhode Island, with special reference to online poker. Besides presenting honest opinions regarding the legality of playing online poker, we have presented a list of legal online poker options for Rhode Island residents.

Rhode Island Poker Laws & Statutes

Though the smallest US state, Rhode Island has gambling laws effective enough to deal harshly with illegal gambling operators. But the laws do not include a clear definition of “gambling,” which makes them rather vague and unclear. According to Section 11-51-1(a), gambling includes bookmaking, pool-selling, slot gaming, dice games, roulette, lotteries, and number games. A Supreme Court ruling confused things further by including poker and blackjack under lottery games. Simply put, placing bets on any game that includes the slightest element of chance is illegal unless done in state-licensed facilities.

Rhode Island’s gambling laws are rather lenient towards individual players caught playing illegal games. The state hardly prosecutes residents for playing illegal games, but does not hesitate to use its laws against operators of illegal gambling outfits. Anybody caught running unlicensed gambling facilities in the state can get a prison term of up to 5 years and a fine of up to $10k.

Since Rhode Island considers social gambling as illegal, home poker games cannot be organized in the state.

Is it Legal to Play Online Poker in Rhode Island?

Although Rhode Island warns players against playing real money poker at offshore online poker rooms, there is no law that specifically prevents players from doing so. It is definitely safe and legal for players to play real money poker online because players cannot violate a non-existent law and the state cannot prosecute residents for breaking a non-existent law. Residents can legally play online poker for real money at any of the offshore online poker rooms we have listed here.

Players should bear in mind that Rhode Island does not authorize or license any operator to run online poker businesses in its jurisdiction. It is therefore illegal for players to play online poker for real money at any online poker room that claims to be licensed and regulated in Rhode Island. Players are safe as long as they stick to the online poker rooms we have recommended on this page.

Can I Get into Trouble for Playing Online Poker Rhode Island?

You will not get into trouble for playing real money poker in Rhode Island for two major reasons. First, no part of the state’s law book specifically states that it is illegal for residents to sign up at offshore online poker rooms and play poker games for real money. Players can therefore not violate a law that does not exist. Second, offshore online poker rooms accepting Rhode Island residents are not located in Rhode Island; therefore, they have nothing to do with Rhode Island’s gambling laws. The state has absolutely no power over them and cannot crack down on them for accepting its residents.

Offshore online poker rooms are safe and secure as they are licensed and regulated in remote gambling jurisdictions. Players can rest assured of a safe and secure online poker experience as long as they stick to the offshore online poker rooms listed on this page.

Legal Poker Sites That Accept Rhode Island Players

Rhode Island is quickly becoming one of the central states for new poker players. Not only is it legal but you can stand to make some major money off it. Just visit any of the sites we list below and you can enter the exciting world of online poker.

Bovada Poker - Most Trusted Online Poker Room For Rhode Island

Bovada is not only one of the oldest online poker rooms in the U.S., it is also one of the best. Bovada offers up the goods that many of their competitors simply can’t match. They offer tons of guaranteed tournaments and on top of that have one of the best bonuses in the business.

So why is Bovada so special? Well how many other sites can claim that they give back 100% of the first deposit their players make? Not many and even fewer give the money back in such an easy and fun fashion. With Bovada as you play you will earn points. Once you hit certain point milestones you will be given back a percentage of your first deposit for free. Eventually you will have earned enough points to get your entire deposit back, and once it is returned it is yours to do whatever you want with. This isn’t the only way you can make money on Bovada though. Bovada knows what its customers want, they want guaranteed money with guaranteed tournaments. Bovada poker delivers in spades on that account with guaranteed tournaments every day and a huge $100,000 dollar guaranteed tournament at the end of every week.

SportsBetting Poker - All Rhode Island Players 18+ Welcome Here

SportsBetting may not seem like the ideal haven for poker players but believe it or not they manage to have one of the best poker rooms in the U.S. It is profitable, it is fun, and it is full of challenging players for you to test your mettle against. If you want to win big then you have to check out SportsBetting because they offer some of the best bonuses and tournaments in the business.

The first thing that will catch the astute customer’s eye is the 200% back welcome bonus. Yes you have read that correctly, 200%. What happens is that as you play SportsBetting poker room tracks how much money you have earned in rake and as you earn certain percentages of your initial deposit in rake, you get back some of the deposit. In the end you end up with double of what you put into the site up to $1,000 dollars. And what better way to earn that deposit back than by playing in one of the $10,000 weekly guaranteed tournaments? In total they will offer more than $250,000 dollars in guaranteed tournaments and that’s not even including the occasional seasonal or for fun promotions they offer where you earn bonuses simply for winning with a certain hand, or meeting some other condition.

Legal Rhode Island Poker Sites Welcome Bonus What To Play Site Rating
Bovada Poker Play / Sign Up $1,000 FREE - 100% Match Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo - Stud Hi/Lo
BetOnline Poker Play / Sign Up Maximum $1K: 200% Rate Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo
SportsBetting Play / Sign Up 200% Match / $1,000 Max Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo
5Dimes Poker Play / Sign Up Vary Weekly - Check Website Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo

Does Rhode Island Have Legal Land-Based Poker?

There is hardly any legal poker gaming option in Rhode Island. Players cannot even organize and take part in home poker games because social gambling is illegal in the state. However, the social gambling law is so ambiguous that it suggests that it is legal for players to take part in a home poker game, but against the law for anybody to organize home poker games. Since poker is considered to be lottery game in Rhode Island, licensed commercial casinos in Rhode Island do not offer any real money poker games. The only way Rhode Island residents can legally play real money poker is by doing so at offshore online poker rooms.

Legal Land-Based Poker Rooms For Rhode Island Players

Legal poker gaming options for Rhode Island players are few and far between. Home poker laws are rather ambiguous; so organizing home poker games is rather dangerous in Rhode Island. However, charity poker is considered legal and players are free to take part in charity poker tournaments. A few licensed gambling facilities such as Bear Claw Casino, Dakota Dunes Casino, Living Sky Casino, Northern Lights Casino, and Casino Regina also run poker cash games and tournaments.

It is also legal for Rhode Island residents to sign up at offshore online poker rooms, such as the ones we have mentioned here. All these offshore online poker rooms are licensed and regulated and give top priority to customer satisfaction and protection. They welcome new players with attractive bonuses and give away attractive rewards for loyalty.

Future of Poker/Online Poker in Rhode Island

Rhode Island is one of those states that seriously considered the pros and cons of legalizing online gambling after the US DoJ announced that the federal Wire Act does not apply to online casino and poker gaming. Neighboring states have also considered Rhode Island as an excellent partner in the formation of interstate gambling compacts.

However, Rhode Island residents are not that enthusiastic about online poker legalization and no legislator has proposed an online poker bill in the state. As of now, Rhode Island is least interested in online poker legalization, but it may pass an online poker bill if online poker turns out to be successful in neighboring US states.