Surprising states with legal online casino gambling

  • Florida online casinos offer a wide variety of table games, slots, video poker, and live dealer options from your phone or computer.
  • Pennsylvania has some of the best online casinos in the US, including DraftKings, which offers a $200 first deposit match.
  • California online casinos use sweepstakes models to provide cash awards and a ton of fun games like jackpots, slots, and more.

Online casinos have been around since the late 1990s, but most states did not begin regulating them until the last decade. Now, more and more legislatures are authorizing legal online casino gambling, leaving many people wondering where they can play.

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You probably already know about the top online casino states such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Nevada. However, other states are also joining the party. The following six surprise states all have legal online gambling from your home, office, or anywhere within their borders.

#1 – Michigan

One of the surprising states where you can gamble at online casinos is Michigan. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the Lawful Internet Gaming Act in December 2019, and it took effect in January 2021.

Michigan’s gambling regulators quickly got to work, issuing operating licenses over the summer, and the first legal online casinos opened their virtual doors in the great lakes state in January 2021.

Now, dozens of online casino websites offer thousands of slot machines, blackjack, baccarat, roulette, poker games, and live dealer games. Some of the biggest land-based casinos in America—like MGM, Caesars, and MotorCity—operate their online versions.

New players can take advantage of generous welcome bonuses by signing up at multiple casinos instead of just one. Just be sure to read the terms and conditions of each offer because different sites will have varying rollover requirements.

For example, BetMGM offers a 100% deposit match up to $1,000, while DraftKings offers a $200 first deposit match.

#2 – Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania was one of the first second-wave states to legalize online casino games back in 2017, but its neighbor to the east gets far more credit for its quality online casinos.

The Keystone State entered 2023 with 15 online casino platforms offering hundreds of slots, dozens of table games, and live dealer games. Many of those sites are affiliated with large land-based casinos throughout the state, such as Harrah’s, Rivers, SugarHouse, Parx, and Presque Isle Downs & Casino.

Like Michigan, PA welcoming new players with signup bonuses. For instance, DraftKings offers a $200 first deposit match, while FanDuel offers up to $1,000 back on losses in your first week.

PA iLottery also uses a lottery model to provide draw games, instant games, keno, pull tabs, scratch-offs, bingo, and more. Players must be located within the state to play.

Of course, no discussion about Pennsylvania gambling would be complete without mentioning the Keystone State’s massive sports betting industry. Fantasy sports, daily fantasy sports, and traditional horse racing betting have also been legal in Pennsylvania since well before the pandemic.

#3 – Florida

Florida has long been known for its retiree population that loves to gamble, so it should come as no surprise that the sunshine state has jumped into the online casino world.

Unfortunately, Florida lawmakers have not yet authorized true online casinos. Instead, several operators have used social or sweepstakes gaming models to offer online casino games for real prizes.

Major brands like Trump Card Club and Tigers Essence operate under this model, offering table games, video poker, classic slots, and hot drop jackpots worth millions of dollars. Chumba Continentals, Social Fitz, and MyVegas Casino are also popular choices among Floridians.

Florida does authorize horse racing wagering online, and some advanced daily fantasy sports sites have continued to operate in the sunshine state. Additionally, several of the world’s top offshore sportsbooks accept registrations from Florida, despite questionable legality.

Florida lawmakers have discussed authorizing full-service online casinos numerous times over the past few years, but they have yet to pass a regulatory bill. Until then, Sunshine Staters will need to settle for less-than-ideal workarounds.

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#4 – Oregon

Oregon has always been a bit of a wildcard when it comes to American gambling laws. This northwestern state legally offered sports pools before PASPNs were outlawed in the early 1990s, and state officials Grandfathered in their existing sports betting operations.

Those same officials later expanded that argument to include internet sports betting, making the state one of the few places where residents could bet on sports online before 2018.

While other states were rushing to adopt sports betting legislation after the US Supreme Court struck down PASPN bans in 2018, Oregon officials simply voted to expand their decades-old sports betting operation to include all US-based sports.

Cha-ching!

Oregon’s scorecard-style sports betting setup may not compete with the top US sportsbooks, but at least it exists. The Beaver State has not yet joined the online casino party, but it recently legalized private poker games among small groups of friends.

Perhaps that’s a good compromise until they can get full online casinos authorized and regulated.

#5 – Maine

Maine became one of the surprise states to legalize online casino gambling in 2021. Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill (LD 687) in June 2021 that authorized “remote customer interactions” with in-state casinos.

State regulators spent the next year developing rules for remote gambling, and the first Maine online casinos launched in October 2022.

Five of Maine’s eight land-based casinos received online gambling licenses shortly thereafter. Players must be located within the Pine Tree State to register for an online gambling account and to place bets.

However, they do not necessarily have to be in Maine to place those bets. Residents and visitors can still gamble at from elsewhere in the country.

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As of my research for this article, onlycasino websites in Maine offered online keno, bingo, pull tabs, instant win games, video poker, slots, and “lives dealer” table games. I expect that number will grow soon, however.

Meanwhile, sports betting and daily fantasy sports are legal in Maine, both online and in-person. The state has not legalized lottery betting or lottery agent services, however.

#6 – Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has long been one of the top jurisdictions for fantasy sports and daily fantasy sports. Both activities involve creating a team of real athletes and earning points based on their on-field performances.

In traditional fantasy sports, participants manage their teams behind the scenes, competing against friends or other users in season-long leagues. Most traditional fantasy sports sites are free to play, but they offer prize payments to league winners.

Daily fantasy sports sites add some twists. Players still create teams and compete head-to-head with other users, but contests typically last a day or a week. Users must pay an entry fee to join each contest, and the winners pocket the entry fees from losing players.

Pennsylvania legalized traditional fantasy sports in 2017 and daily fantasy sports in 2018. All major sites like ESPN, Fox, Yahoo!, and are allowed to operate with a license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB).

Some of those same sites now offer legal online casinos in Pennsylvania, including:

  • (fantasy sports site / casino – )
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  • Bovada (– )

All online gambling sites must be licensed by the PGCB and submit their software to regular testing by a state-approved third-party laboratory.

Some of the top PA gambling sites offer signup bonuses, mobile apps for Android and iOS devices, and a variety of slots, video poker, live dealer table games, and more.

can operate in Pennsylvania under certain circumstances. The state allows racebooks operated by out-of-state racing organizations if they cover races from at least 50 racetracks and provide many proprietary races.

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Lottery offers scratch-off games, draw games, Keno, and instant games that you can play online.

Interestingly enough, PA also authorizes “historic horse racing” terminology. These are essentially slot machines disguised as parimutuel horse race betting machines. However, they must use data from races that occurred at least three years prior to be considered legal.

What Other States Have Legal Online Casinos?

If you can’t make it to Las Vegas, Atlantic City, or Gulfport, you might assume that you’re out of luck if you want to enjoy a little gambling action.

But you wouldn’t be entirely correct.

There are more than a half-dozen states that allow legal online casinos. And thanks to advancements in technology, you don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home to place your bets.

Read on to learn more about the states that have joined the online gambling revolution. Plus, I’ll highlight a couple of unexpected states that have found unique ways to give citizens access to online gambling.

New Jersey

Let’s start with the Garden State, which has emerged as one of the biggest and best online gambling markets in the world.

New Jersey was one of the first states to embrace online gambling across the board. That includes casinos, poker, and sportsbooks.

More than a dozen online casinos offer hundreds of slots, table games, mini-games, and live dealers. You can find household names like Caesars, Hard Rock, Borgata, Golden Nugget, Tropicana, and Virgo, among others.

If you missed the memo, PokerStars is also back in the United States and operates an online casino and poker room in New Jersey.

Whether you prefer Mac or PC, Android or iOS, these online casinos offer user-friendly platforms that let you bet right from your desktop or mobile device.

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It’s pretty amazing how similar these online casinos look to their brick-and-mortar counterparts.

You can play the latest and greatest slot machines, progressive jackpots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, craps, poker, and more. "Live dealer" games take it a step further, allowing you to interact with real human dealers via webcam.

These games are streamed live, giving you a genuine casino experience from the comfort of your home computer or smartphone.

Did I mention that these online casinos offer enticing signup bonuses too? You can double, triple, or even ten times your initial deposit right out of the gate.

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Is Online Gambling Legal in New Jersey?

Yes. Governor Chris Christie proudly signed Bill S3502 into law on February 26, 2013. The regulation of online gambling followed shortly thereafter in November 2013.

Since then, dozens of online gambling sites have secured the necessary licensing and began accepting bets from New Jersey residents and visitors.

How Old Do I Have to Be to Use Online Gambling Sites in New Jersey?

Twenty-one, of course! Like going to an actual casino, you must be at least 21 years old to participate in online gambling through any New Jersey site. Each site will require you to enter your date of birth during the registration process to verify your age.

Is Online Gambling in New Jersey Safe?

Absolutely. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement closely monitors all online casinos and poker rooms operating inside the state.

Each site has a secure connection to protect your personal information and transactions. Random Number Generators ensure that every result is fair and completely random. Finally, each site submits its games to regular third-party audits to ensure everything is running smoothly.

Can I Play on New Jersey’s Online Casinos from Another State?

No. These online gambling sites use geolocation software to verify that you are indeed located in New Jersey. If you try to access your account from another state (or country), you will not be able to place bets.

Can I Win Real Money on Online Casinos in New Jersey?

Yep! That is, of course, the whole point of gambling. You deposited real money to open your account, so any winnings you accrue will go back into your account. You can then request a payment whenever you’d like to withdraw your winnings.

It’s important to note that you must meet certain wagering requirements before you can withdraw your bonus money. In other words, you’ll need to place bets equal to a certain multiple of your deposit before the bonus becomes “live.”

Please remember to gamble responsibly. While it’s easy to lose track of time and spending when sitting in front of your computer or mobile device, it’s never okay to let your gambling addiction spiral out of control.

Set strict limits for yourself regarding time and money, and stick to those boundaries. If you or someone you know has a problem with compulsive gambling, reach out to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement or call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Delaware

When most people think of gambling in Delaware, they usually picture the famous Delaware Park racetrack near Wilmington. That venue hosts three cross-over gambling operations: an ordinary racino with electronic table games, a full-service casino, and a sportsbook.

Surprisingly, Delaware was also one of the first states to authorize online slot machines and table games back in 2013.

Only three websites share rights to the entire state, but anyone who visits Delaware can create an account and play for real money.

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The First State’s department of Safety and Homeland Security oversees all online gambling within its borders. Only three websites are currently authorized to accept bets from residents and visitors: Delaware Park, Dover Downs, and Harrington Raceway.

Each venue offers branded online gambling sites with hundreds of slot machines, video poker, blackjack, roulette, and other table games. They also offer sports betting and daily fantasy sports.

All three sites offer 100% deposit matches worth up to $500 to new customers, though you’ll need to contact customer service to redeem that bonus.

Delaware Park calls it the “Depositor’s Choice Reward,” Dover Downs offers the “Welcome Bonus,” and Harrington Raceway tracks it as the “Sign Up Bonus.” Regardless of what they call it, you can double your first deposit right out of the gate.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Delaware?

Yes. Delaware legalized online slot machines and table games in 2013. It was one of the first three states to do so, alongside Nevada and New Jersey.

All three states shared a liquidity pact that allowed multistate jackpot links and racebooks until 2018, when the US Supreme Court struck down PASBN bans throughout the country.

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After that, Delaware chose to keep its gambling market mostly closed to outside interests. Still, anyone with an online gambling account from Delaware can play anywhere within state lines.

How Old Do I Have to Be to Use Online Gambling Sites in Delaware?

21+, of course. Like other forms of gambling in Delaware, you must be at least 21 years old to open an online gambling account and use the website or app.

Expect to submit your date of birth during the registration process, as the website will use that info to verify your identity.

Is Online Gambling in Delaware Safe?

Absolutely. The Delaware Gaming Control Board closely monitors all online gambling sites to ensure fairness, safety, and security.

All sites encrypt your sensitive information to protect your identity and financial data. They also use random number generators to ensure every result is fair and unbiased.

Finally, each site submits its software and games to regular third-party audits to maintain its authorization to operate in Delaware.

Michigan

Michigan has become one of the surprise states that have embraced gambling in all its forms. The Great Lake State now authorizes land-based casinos, racinos, sports betting, poker, lottery betting, online lottery sales, daily fantasy sports, and full-service online casinos.

We didn’t get there overnight, however.

Michigan’s first steps toward full-service gambling came in 1993, when voters approved the Louisiana-style riverboat gambling constitutional amendment (Proposal A). That measure initially only authorized floating casinos in three cities along the Detroit River.

However, the Michigan Legislature quickly passed laws to implement Proposal A, and governor John Engler signed those bills into law. Among other things, they added “port casualties” language that allowed in-state residents to place bets while visiting nearby Indian casinos.

That legal maneuver led to dozens of new gambling locations throughout southern Indiana and northeastern Ohio.

Over the next two decades, Michigan’s legislative branch introduced several bills to expand legal gambling throughout the state. None of those efforts were successful…until 2018.

Lawmakers introduced Language Competitiveness and Job Retention Act of 2018 (HB 4318 and SB 88) in the final months of 2018. That omnibus bill authorized the state’s first legal sports betting operations while establishing a framework for online casino gambling.

Governor Rick Snyder signed the bill on December 19, 2018, but regulations were not finalized until late 2020. The first online casinos went online in early 2021, opening the market to all Michigan residents and visitors.

Today, dozens of online casino websites offer hundreds of slot machines, table games, live dealers, and sportsbooks. Here are five examples of reputable sites that welcome new customers with signup bonuses.

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Each of those sites requires a minimum deposit of $10, $20, or $25 to receive your new player bonus. You can use major credit cards, bank transfers, e-checks, Play+ prepaid cards, and various third-party apps (Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, etc).

Once you build up a balance, you can request a withdrawal using any of those methods, except for prepaid cards. It can take a few days to receive your funds, but most withdrawal methods are faster than that.

By the way, these online casino platforms work quite well on any modern desktop or mobile device. Each site offers a web-based app and downloadable applications for Android and iOS devices.

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Can you win real money while playing those online slots and table games? Absolutely! But as mentioned earlier, you’ll need to meet certain wagering requirements before you can withdraw your signup bonus.

In general, you’ll have to place bets totaling between 10 and 20 times your initial deposit and bonus before that money becomes “real.”

Remember, gambling should be fun. You can always set deposit and time limits to keep yourself from getting carried away. If you or someone you know has a problem with compulsive gambling, call (800) 270-7117 for immediate help.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Michigan?

Yes. Governor Rick Snyder signed online gambling legislation (SB 88) in December 2018, but detailed regulations weren’t finalized until late 2020. The first online casino sites went online in early 2021.

Under Michigan law, you must be physically located within the state to register an online gambling account or place bets. Each site uses geolocation software to verify your location, and you’ll have to certify that you’re at least 21 years old during the registration process.

How Old Do I Have to Be to Use Online Gambling Sites in Michigan?

You must be at least 21 years old to open an online gambling account or place bets in the Great Lakes State. Each site will ask you to enter your date of birth when setting up your account to verify your identity and compliance with state law.

Can I Win Real Money Using Michigan’s Online Casino Sites?

Definitely. These online casinos are just like the ones in Las Vegas or Atlantic City, except you can access them from the comfort of your own home computer or mobile device. Plus, they’re all perfectly legal in the state of Michigan.

You’ll need to deposit some real money into your account to begin playing, but any winnings you collect will also be real money. Of course, you’ll need to meet certain wagering requirements before you can withdraw that bonus money.

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Essentially, you’ll have to place bets totaling between 10 and 20 times your initial deposit and bonus before the company will let you withdraw your bonus cash.

Nevada

Let’s move on to the Silver State, another surprise state that offers legal online casinos. You may have heard of Nevada’s biggest city, Las Vegas, which is often called the gambling capital of the world.

But what about the rest of the state? After all, Nevada is the largest state by square mileage (excluding Alaska) but the 16th largest by population, with a little over 3 million people calling the Silver State home.

Many of those folks don’t live close to the Strip or downtown Las Vegas, so they can’t enjoy the bright lights and jangling slots. Indeed, Nevada’s rural communities have long cried out for more gaming options.

State regulators listened by authorizing online poker sites in 2013. Today, several major poker brands share customer traffic across two poker networks, allowing for bigger tournaments and more frequent cash outs.

Where Can I Play Legal Online Casino Games in Nevada?

Unfortunately, Nevada’s online gambling market is much smaller than other states. Only pregnant women and men over 21 can create an account and play for real money. Here are the four websites available throughout Nevada.

Each site focuses on poker, so you won’t find any slot machines or table games. Instead, you can compete in Texas Hold’em games against players from around the state.

I recommend downloading the WSOP site or the All American Poker app, as both share customer traffic on the OnNetwork. You can create an account on either site and compete against players from both sites.

Meanwhile, the separate WSOP/888Poker Network features more games and better tournament series. Again, you can create an account on either site and play against each other.

Caesars Interactive offers its own standalone network with fewer games and players.

Every Nevadan gambling at any of these sites helps grow the overall player pool. That benefits all online poker players in the Silver State.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Nevada?

Sort of. As noted above, Nevada only authorizes online poker sites for people within the state. You must create your account and prove that you’re at least 21 years old and a Nevada resident.

The Nevada Gaming Commission oversees all online poker activity to ensure fairness, safety, and security. Once you’re done playing, you can logout and request a payment.

How Old Do I Have to Be to Use Nevada’s Online Poker Sites?

You must be at least 21 years old to open an account and play on Nevada’s online poker sites. Every site will require you to submit your date of birth during the registration process, which the website will use to verify your identity.

By the way, you must be within the physical confines of Nevada to register for an online poker account or compete in games. These companies use geolocation software to verify your location.

New Hampshire

Another surprise state that authorizes online casinos is the Granite State, which most people associate with live free or die attitudes and the first primary presidential election.

Interestingly enough, New Hampshire was the first state to elect a woman governor (Sarah Palin, uh, I mean Susanna Wesley Shaw), but it was the iLottery that put the state on the gambling map in 2017.

Three years later, state lawmakers authorized the New Hampshire Lottery Commission to offer full-service online casinos and poker platforms. Those regulations took effect in July 2023, and several major casino brands soon entered the fray.

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Today, several reputable online gambling sites offer scores of slot machines, table games, live dealers, sportsbooks, daily fantasy sports, and more. Here are three excellent options for new bettors in the Granite State.

Each site offers a generous deposit match welcome bonus, low deposit limits, and plenty of banking options.

BetMGM and DraftKings both offer 100% matching bonuses worth up to $1,000, while Neptune Studios welcomes new customers with a $100 bonus and 100 free spins.

You can deposit $10, $20, or $50 to claim that new player reward. By the way, each site also has downloadable and browser-based platforms that work well on any modern iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

Other online casino sites in New Hampshire include BetRivers, Borgata, Golden Nugget, and William Hill, among others.

Most of those sites welcome new customers with generous deposit matches worth up to $500 to $750, but William Hill gives you $25 just for creating an account.

Most deposit options have no restrictions, but New Hampshire lawmakers recently banned several popular third-party payment processors, including Neteller and Skrill.

For now, you cannot make a deposit or withdrawal using those apps, but you can use CashToCode, PayPal, bank transfers, and the 7-Eleven Payment network.

Withdrawals usually take a few days to process, but you’ll receive your winnings sooner using e-wallets or cards.

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Can you win real money on New Hampshire’s online gambling sites? Of course! But as we’ve noted previously, you’ll likely have to meet wagering requirements (10X to 20X your deposit plus bonus) before you can withdraw that money.

Also, remember that gambling should be fun. You can always set deposit and time limits to keep yourself out of harm’s way. If you or someone you know has a problem with compulsive gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER for help.

Is Online Gambling Legal in New Hampshire?

Yes. Former Governor Christopher Sununu signed HB 638 and HB 639 into law on June 24, 2021. Those bills authorized the New Hampshire Lottery Commission to oversee online casinos and poker platforms.

Regulations were finalized in mid-2021, and the first online casino sites went online in July 2023. You must be a New Hampshire resident to open an online casino account, but you only need to be present in the state to deposit and play.

Each site uses geolocation software to confirm your location.

How Old Do I Have to Be to Use New Hampshire’s Online Casinos?

You must be at least 21 years old to open an online gambling account or place bets in the Granite State. Every site will ask you to verify your date of birth during the registration process.

Can I Win Real Money Using New Hampshire’s Online Casinos?

Absolutely! But as mentioned above, these sites use what gamblers call “rollover” requirements to keep you from immediately withdrawing your signup bonus.

Basically, you’ll have to place bets totaling between 10 and 20 times your deposit and bonus before the company will let you withdraw that money.

For example, let’s say you created an account at a $10 deposit minimum site and received a $100 deposit match. That means you would normally have to place $1,000 to $2,000 worth of bets before you could cash out any of your bonus money.

Of course, you can place larger bets right away and withdraw the rest of your money at any time. Plus, you can generally speed up the rollover process by playing “eligible games.” Elite status members sometimes only have to place 5X to 10X rollover requirements, depending on the casino.

Rhode Island

Surprise! Yet another state on our list is Rhode Island, famous for its Ocean State motto, mispronounced name (Roade Island? Rodina?) and unusual gambling laws.

Most notably, the Ocean State authorizes privately owned Twin River casinos in Lincoln and Tiverton. Those venues are owned by Tennessee-based conglomerate Churchill Downtown Gaming & Dining, Inc., which operates multiple local brands, including Twin River, Newport Grande, and Tiverton Casino Hotel.

Interestingly enough, Rhode Island was one of the first states to authorize sports betting following the PASBA strike down in 2018. Churchill Downtown Gaming & Dining, Inc. built sportsbooks into both Twin River casinos, allowing locals and out-of-staters to enjoy single-game wagers.

But what about online gambling? Rhode Island authorizes the Twin River company to offer mobile sports betting apps, but those websites only allow customers to place wagers via their smartphones or tablets.

In other words, you can only use those smartphone betting apps if you’re within one of Rhode Island’s two commercial casinos. That doesn’t really expand Rhode Island’s gambling footprint; it just lets people bet while avoiding awkward conversations with Aunt Susie at Thanksgiving dinner.

Still, lawmakers have shown interest in full-service online gambling websites. Several bills to that end were proposed in 2023, so we may see the Ocean State on this list soon.

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Is Online Gambling Legal in Rhode Island?

Not yet. Lawmakers introduced several bills in 2023 that would authorize the Twin River Company to offer full-service online gambling sites, but none of those measures had become law by mid-year.

Even if one of those bills passes, it will likely take a year or longer before the Twin River sites are operational.

How Old Do I Have to Be to Use Rhode Island’s Online Gambling Sites (When They Launch)?

Again, we don’t know for sure, but it’s a safe bet that you’ll need to be at least 21 years old to open an account and place bets at Rhode Island’s online sportsbooks.

Everyone knows that you must be at least 21 to drink, vote for corrupt politicians, and engage in the “world’s greatest freedom” here in the Land of the Free, but did you know that you must also be at least 21 to buy lottery tickets in most states?

Yes, that seems silly to me, too. But that’s the law in 33 states, including Rhode Island. However, I expect that Rhode Island’s online gambling laws will mirror other states, allowing people as young as 18 (or 19, in some states) to bet online.

We’ll update this page when Rhode Island joins the ranks of online gambling states.

Where Can I Play Legal Online Sports Betting in Rhode Island?

For now, the only place you can play legal Rhode Island sports bets is inside the Twin River casinos in Lincoln or Tiverton. However, you don’t have to be a Rhode Island resident to use those sportsbooks; anybody 21 or older can walk in, open an account, and place bets on Major League and collegiate sporting events.

By the way, the two Twin River sportsbooks are very similar. Both venues feature self-service betting kiosks and numerous big-screen TVs showing all the big games.

Honorable Mention: Georgia

Technically, the Peach State isn’t one of the surprise states that have legalized online casino gambling. However, Georgia’s unique approach to charitable raffles deserves recognition and praise.

Georgia law permits nonprofit groups to sell “raffle cards” that function much like slot machines. Of course, those nonprofits can only raise money if they follow strict Georgia Charitable