Moves to make online casinos legal in the US state of Rhode Island are moving in a positive direction, with the Rhode Island Senate approving the Legal iGaming legislation by a commanding vote of 30-4.

The amended bill was eased through thanks to slight alterations in relation to live-dealer aspects, which was something of a sticking point. 

Director of Communications for Dominick Ruggerio, Senate President, commented on the relevant changes and how they helped to soothe concerns from the Rhode Island Lottery;

“The concern was that the definition of table games that voters approved required at least one live person. Although there was disagreement on that point, we accepted the Lottery’s position and asked our partners about live person simulcast gaming.”

Other changes were made as well, including increasing the minimum age for participants playing online table tables from 18 to 21. Another measure that clearly helped to secure the legislation approval related to the tax rate that will be in place for providers which offer online casino action in the state.

This has risen from an original 50% all the way up to 61%, which goes a long way to show just how prepared the relevant likely providers are to give in to financial demands required by the legislature. 

Rhode Island is the first state in 2023 to approve an online casino bill, but no doubt won’t be the last, such is the speed with which the market is moving across the country. 

The launch date for Rhode Island’s online casino activities is now March 1st, 2024, and makes it the seventh state to legalize online gaming.

A number of other states are seemingly heading in the same direction, including New York (which has already seen online sports betting proving a massive success), Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Maryland, and New Hampshire, all apparently potentially following Rhode Island.