Rhode Island Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily fantasy sports are legal and widely available in Rhode Island despite the state never passing legislation to regulate DFS operators.
All major DFS companies operate in the Rhode Island fantasy sports market and offer a wide range of contest types.
Legal Rhode Island DFS options include one-day fantasy games, season-long best ball leagues, and pick’em contests involving over/under predictions for fixed payouts.
Continue below for all the details and a summary of the current state of fantasy sports in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island Fantasy Sports Sites
Play $5, Get $50PrizePicks Promo Code: BUSA
19+, T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.800gambler.org. If you are in Arizona, call the toll-free Arizona statewide helpline at 1-800-NEXTSTEP or text NEXT-STEP to 53342. You may also visit problemgambling.az.gov.
$250 First Entry RefundBoom Fantasy Promo Code: BUSA
Users must be 18+ years of age to play and deposit (19+ in Nebraska). T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. All users must have only 1 account. If a user is found to be less than 18 years old, their account will be banned and all their entries will be canceled and refunded. If a user is found to have more than 1 account, they will be subject to a ban at Boom’s discretion.
50% up to $1000Underdog Fantasy Promo Code: BETUSA
18/21+, T&Cs apply. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.ncpgambling.org; AZ: 1-800-NEXT-STEP (1-800-639-8783) or text NEXT-STEP to 53342; NY: Call the 24/7 HOPE line at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369) Learn more about Underdog Contests and how to identify highly experienced players at www.underdogfantasy.com/rules; Learn more about average results at www.underdogfantasy.com/average-results.
Free Entry + $100 Deposit BonusParlayPlay Promo Code: BUSA
18/21+, T&Cs Apply. Welcome offer is for players who make their first successful deposit to ParlayPlay. Following the deposit, you receive promo entry(s) that matches the deposit amount up to $100. The promo entry can only be used to enter up to 4-pick More/Less contests. If you lose the promo entry, your account balance is not impacted. The deposit promo entry(s) must be used within 7 days of deposit. After 7 days the free entry will expire. If you have concerns about managing your play on ParlayPlay or anywhere else, or if you’re concerned about a family member or friend, the National Council on Problem Gambling offers support through telephone or text. They can be reached confidentially (24-hours a day) at 1-800-522-4700. Or contacted on their website at //www.ncpgambling.org/ or through chat at ncpgambling.org/chat.
21+ to Play, T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Rhode Island’s lack of DFS regulations makes it a welcoming state for fantasy sports operators and fans alike.
While a monopoly sportsbook operator controls the Rhode Island sports betting market, fantasy players can choose from numerous DFS platforms and pick ‘em apps.
That said, the lack of a regulatory framework means fans must choose wisely when deciding where to play DFS online in Rhode Island. Below are BettingUSA’s recommended fantasy platforms based on their security standards, licensing status in other states, and reputation among customers.
| Legal Rhode Island DFS Sites |
|---|
| Underdog Fantasy Rhode Island |
| FanDuel DFS Rhode Island |
Rhode Island Fantasy Pick’em Apps
Fantasy pick’em apps are the natural choice for fans who don’t want to use Rhode Island’s government-authorized monopoly sportsbook platform.
High-quality fantasy pick ‘em apps like PrizePicks and Boom Fantasy host DFS contests in which players select two or more athletes and make more than/less than predictions on projected stat totals like points scored and yards gained.
Correct predictions yield payouts ranging from 2x to 100x, depending on the number of predictions per set and the difficulty of each prediction. It’s like betting on parlays, except it’s legal and qualifies as daily fantasy under the UIGEA DFS exception.
Although regulators in some states have cracked down on pick’em fantasy operators under the opinion that their contests constitute unlicensed sports wagering, that has not occurred in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island Fantasy Sports Law
Rhode Island has yet to pass legislation addressing daily fantasy sports apps, but that hasn’t stopped all major DFS and pick’em operators from serving residents.
Although lawmakers have in formally legalizing and regulating daily fantasy sports in Rhode Island, the legislature has yet to pass any legislation due to differing opinions on whether the state constitution would permit legalization.
Rhode Island AG: Fantasy Sports Contests Are Legal
In 2016, former Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin looked into daily fantasy sports to decide if the activity is legal under current gaming laws.
In a letter addressed to then-Governor Gina Raimondo, Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, and Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, Kilmartin declared that fantasy sports contests are legal under Rhode Island law.
explained that, based on Rhode Island statutes and case law, fantasy sports do not meet the state’s definition of illegal gambling.
Kilmartin reached the conclusion due to the element of skill required to win fantasy contests. He also explained that three factors must be present to decide whether a game meets the state’s definition of an illegal lottery or gambling:
- Consideration
- Prize
- Chance
Fantasy sports contests have consideration (the entry fees participants pay to enter contests) and prizes, but Kilmartin reasoned that the chance element only applies if a game is dominated by chance.
Ultimately, the Attorney General found that skill plays enough of a role in fantasy sports contests to exempt them from the state’s definition of gambling.
Kilmartin also urged the legislature to regulate the fantasy sports industry to protect problem gamblers, protect consumers, prevent minors from participating, and collect tax revenue.
He put it this way in the opinion:
“Despite daily fantasy sports being legal, I believe there should be strict regulations imposed on the operation of these sites to address the issues we have experienced with gambling in Rhode Island, including infiltration of the criminal element, youth participation, and addiction issues.”
Rhode Island Lottery: Fantasy Sports Are Illegal
Later, the Rhode Island Lottery issued an opinion contradicting the Attorney General’s office: daily fantasy sports contests meet the state’s definition of “gambling” regardless of whether the activity is a game of skill or chance.
The Rhode Island Lottery went further by adding that not only are DFS contests illegal gambling, but any attempts by lawmakers to regulate fantasy sports would violate the state constitution and require a constitutional amendment.
The lottery’s statement directly contradicted the Attorney General’s opinion, but it was enough to cause lawmakers to back off their attempts to pass fantasy sports legislation.
Since then, the legislature has not considered any legislation regulating daily fantasy sports in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island Fantasy Sports FAQ
Wes Burns has more than a decade’s worth of experience as a writer, researcher and analyst in the legal gambling industry and is co-founder of ycgts.shop. As a former professional online poker player, Wes approaches his work from the viewpoint of players.