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Rhode Island might be the smallest state by land area, but it’s about to join a small group of states in a big way.
On Friday, a licensed real-money online casino app from Bally’s will have a “technical launch” and be available to a limited number of customers, according to Paul Grimaldi, spokesperson for the Rhode Island Department of Revenue (RIDOR). The market will formally launch to the public on March 5, Grimaldi wrote in an email to PlayUSA.
While Bally’s will be the only option in the Rhode Island online casino market, the app should feature all the elements online casino players in other US jurisdictions demand. That includes online slot titles, frequent promotions, a rewards program and access to live dealer games.
In addition, the app includes tools that players can use to ensure they are doing so responsibly. Players should have many choices when it comes to funding their accounts, and some integrations with the two land-based Bally’s casinos in Rhode Island may also be forthcoming.
Rhode Island on the precipice of rare gaming expansion
There are eight states where playing online casino games for real money is legal, although only online poker is available in Nevada. Rhode Island became the latest of those states in June 2023. The new law, which specified the March 1 launch date, effectively expanded the partnership between the Rhode Island Lottery and Bally’s to include its online casino app.
Most of the other markets with legal online casino apps have at least two choices for players. However, Bally’s has operated the two brick-and-mortar casinos in Rhode Island on the lottery’s behalf for years and this expansion essentially just represents a furthering of that contract.
Thus, Bally’s will be the only legal online casino app for Rhode Islanders to play with. Access to that app in the state for some should begin on March 1, although there will be some limitations in the early days.
March 1 marks first opportunity for some Rhode Islanders
In early February, RIDOR confirmed that Bally’s online casino should be live in some fashion on March 1. It will be a limited launch, however. But access to live dealer games like blackjack should be available. Grimaldi told Bonus.com that live dealer games will be part of the launch: “Slots available 24/7, live table available 7 hours daily at minimum to start.”
Bally’s has partnered with Stakelogic to provide live dealer games and the state has approved of that partnership. However, preparations on the studio and technology for the games are still ongoing. Stakeholders hope to begin offering the games quickly after the app launch.
Regardless, Bally’s app should have a robust menu of online slots for Rhode Islanders. In addition, checking out the available functions of the app should be quite simple. Bally’s might even give players some incentive to do so.
Options for players on Bally’s online casino
Bally’s online casino will be new to Rhode Islanders, but it is not a novel product in the US. Bally’s online casino already accepts players in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In both markets, Bally’s offers hundreds of slot titles, competitive amenities, and promotions.
Rhode Islanders should note that their experience will probably not be identical to playing Bally’s online casino in New Jersey or Pennsylvania. Bally’s has not yet confirmed any promotions or game titles for its apps in Rhode Island.
However, there are some commonalities that Rhode Islanders should expect to see. Among them is the large selection of slots titles. In New Jersey, for example, the app offers more than 200 game choices within that category. The titles come from well-known studios like Everi, NetEnt, and Scientific Games.
Those games will likely offer features like free spins and progressive jackpots. In both of those states, Bally’s also offers regular promotions around its games. For example, Pennsylvania players can win bonus spins by playing a specific slot game that the app designates daily.
Players in both markets also have access to Bally’s player rewards program. With each play, app users earn Bally Bucks to redeem for additional winnings. It remains to be seen whether and if so, how Bally’s might integrate those rewards into potential use at its physical casinos in Rhode Island.
If that does materialize, Rhode Islanders can start earning those rewards online soon. Getting started in that regard is relatively easy.
Checking out Bally’s online casino app
Bally’s will have apps for users of both Android and iOS devices. Accessing those apps is identical to the process for obtaining any other app. Once the app downloads, however, the process of registration differs a little from some apps. It’s no more complicated, though.
As a gambling app, Bally’s must verify players’ identities to comply with federal and state laws. To facilitate that, Bally’s needs you to provide several pieces of identifying information like your legal name and part of your Social Security Number.
Once you have completed the registration prompts in the app, you’re ready to make your first deposit so you have funds to wager on the games. Bally’s accepts many forms of payment like debit cards and ACH payments.
Once the app accepts your deposit, you’ll be ready to begin perusing the broad choices for gameplay. The state is set to benefit from this new gaming option. In August, Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio estimated that the state will reap over $220 million in new tax revenue over the first five years.
For players looking to reap some profits, the best way to play online casino games is with responsible gambling at the forefront. Bally’s has tools to enable players to take precautions in that regard.
Those tools include the options to set spending and time limits. The app will also point users to further resources and includes a self-assessment players can use to determine their best course of action. For some in Rhode Island, the action will begin on Friday.
