Rhode Island lawmakers capped the final day of the 2023 session with a first-ever event.The state approved an online casino bill for the first time this year.
Late Thursday, after heated debate, the Rhode Island House of Representatives approved a bill to allow online gambling, or iGaming.The House approved Rep. Gregory Costantino's (D-44) bill 57-11, passing the same bill approved by the Senate just a week earlier, 1-56. .
The bill was met with opposition, but several amendments were ultimately rejected.Therefore, the unamended bill is now on the desk of Governor Daniel McKee.
Rhode Island's online casino launch date is set for March 2024, 3, pending the governor's signature.Rhode Island becomes the seventh state to legalize online iGaming.
Several states, including New York, Indiana, Maryland, Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire, have considered online gambling bills this year but failed to approve them.
Rhode Island iGaming Bill Details
The bill mandates the use of live dealers for online table games, with games being simulated for those playing through mobile devices.Casino games are defined as casino-style games played with cards, dice, and equipment for money, credit, or representative value.
The Rhode Island Lottery will become the regulator and the proposal will create one online casino app. The minimum age required for iGaming is 1, and 21 for all other forms of gaming in Rhode Island.Table games will be taxed at 18% and online slots at 15.5%.
Rhode Island will also be allowed to enter into multistate iGaming agreements.For a small state like Rhode Island with just over a million people, it could make a big difference for online poker.Lawmakers say Rhode Island is trying to stay competitive with neighboring Massachusetts and Connecticut.
rapid movement
This spring, online gambling legislation was on the horizon.However, Senator Dominique Ruggerio introduced an online casino bill in late April.Less than two months later, the bill passed both houses of Congress.
Once the bill reaches Governor McKee's desk, the governor has six days to take action.If the governor takes no action, the bill will become law on the seventh day.
Bally's will offer online gaming through IGT's platform, which operates in brick-and-mortar casinos in the state.
Bally's is headquartered in Providence. Bally's projects additional game gross revenue of $1 million.Gambling is the state's third largest source of income.
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