Online casino bill sent to Rhode Island governor, first to authorize iGaming in 2023
Rhode Island lawmakers ended the final day of the 2023 session with their first victory. The state is the first to approve an online casino bill this year.
On Thursday night, after intense debate, the Rhode Island House of Representatives passed a bill allowing online gambling (iGaming). The House voted 57-11 to approve a bill from Rep. Gregory Costantino (D-44) and voted 56-11 to pass the same bill the Senate approved a week ago.
The measure faced strong opposition, but several proposed amendments were ultimately rejected. The unrevised bill now ends up on Gov. Daniel McKee's desk.
The launch date for online casinos in Rhode Island is set for March 1, 2024, pending the governor’s signature. Rhode Island will become the seventh state to legalize online iGaming, or online casinos.
Several states considered but did not pass online gambling bills this year, including New York, Indiana, Maryland, Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire.
Rhode Island iGaming Legal Details
The bill requires online table games to use live dealers and for games to be live streamed simultaneously to players playing on mobile devices. It defines casino games as any casino-style game played with cards, dice or equipment for money, credit or to represent value.
The Rhode Island Lottery would be the regulator and the proposal calls for the creation of an online casino application. The minimum age for iGaming is 21, while all other forms of gambling in Rhode Island require 18. The tax rate is 15.5% for table games and 61% for online slots.
The state will also be allowed to enter into iGaming multi-state agreements. For a small state like Rhode Island, with a population of just over 1 million, online poker could make a huge difference. Lawmakers say Rhode Island is working to remain competitive in the industry with neighboring states Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Fast-moving
This spring, online gambling legislation has yet to be introduced. Then-Senate President Dominick Ruggerio introduced the online casino bill in late April. Less than two months later, the bill passed the House and Senate.
Once the bill reaches Governor McKee, he will have six days to take action. If he fails to act, the bill will take effect on the seventh day.
Bally's will offer online gaming through the IGT platform, which operates its brick-and-mortar casinos in the state. Bally's is headquartered in Providence. Bally's expects total gaming sales to increase by $130 million. Gambling is the state's third-largest source of revenue.
Read also:
- Games Industry Research: Carbon Emissions of Top Video Games
- U.S. cities with the most Swifties per capita
- Blackjack Casino Advantage: How to Beat the Odds
- Football 101: What is relegation in football?
Source: www.casino.org
