1934 – Horse Racing Betting was first introduced to Rhode Island at two racetracks in the state. Due to competition from larger New England states, live horse racing closed down in Rhode Island. Today, simulcast betting and online horse racing is available in Rhode Island.
1973 – Rhode Island State Lottery begins and in 1975, it became the first state lottery in the United States to broadcast the lottery draw on television.
1979 – Charitable Gaming Legalized on a limited and state licensed basis for poker, casino nights, bingo and raffles. In 1993, the provisions for charitable casino nights and charitable poker were annulled.
2003 – Video Lottery Terminals (VLTS) introduced at one of the state’s former racetracks to become a ‘racino’.
2010 – Table games became legal in both the state’s casinos.
2012 – Residents of one of the two casino areas in Rhode Island overturn the legalization of table games by local referendum.
2016 – Rhode Island Attorney General, Peter Kilmartin, deems Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) not to be gambling and therefore legal, thus removing the requirement for legalization by the Rhode Island State Legislature.
2018 – Sports Betting Legalized at Rhode Island Casinos.
Read More about Rhode Island’s Online Sports Betting Laws