Rhode Island House Reconsiders Bill Criminalizing Online Gambling for 18-20 Year Olds

by Amelia Walker, May 09, 2025

A bill to criminalize online gambling for those under 21 in Rhode Island, initially rejected, has been revived and approved by the committee, advancing to the House floor.

House Reconsiders and Advances Rejected Bill

Just a week after the House Judiciary Committee rejected a proposal from the Rhode Island State Police to make online gambling by those under 21 a misdemeanor, the legislation is now advancing to the House floor.

With no debate, the committee revisited and approved the bill in a 10-5 vote. Sponsored by Democrat Rep. Gregory Costantino, the measure would amend the state’s 2023 iGaming law to impose up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine on individuals aged 18 to 20 who gamble online.

Bally’s Corp., the operator of Rhode Island’s only two casinos, also runs the state’s exclusive iGaming platform. When online casino gaming was legalized last year, lawmakers raised concerns about safeguarding minors and young adults, especially high school students, which led to the adoption of a higher age requirement.

Costantino’s proposal was initially rejected in a 7-5 vote during the committee’s April 22 meeting due to concerns it would criminalize behavior that 18-year-olds are currently permitted to engage in when betting on sports, either in person or online. However, House rules allow a vote to be reconsidered as long as the bill remains in the committee’s possession and the motion comes from a member who voted with the majority. In this instance, the motion was brought forward by Rep. Jason Knight, a Democrat from Barrington who had originally voted against it.

“Although it’s unusual for a bill to go up and down then come back, it’s not unheard of,”

Knight commented after the vote. He later explained his vote flip, saying it aimed to craft legislation that would make everyone happy. Rep. Julie Casimiro (D-North Kingstown) and Rep. Marie Hopkins (R-Warwick) were other members who reversed their positions.

Strong Resistance from Civil Rights Activists

The bill’s revival has drawn strong opposition from civil rights advocates and lawmakers who question its fairness and proportionality. Megan Jackson, legislative liaison for the Public Defender’s Office, criticized the inconsistency in Rhode Island law, noting that while 18-year-olds can gamble in person, the bill seeks to criminalize the same behavior online.

Rep. Cherie Cruz (D-Pawtucket) shared these concerns, pointing out that young adults could unintentionally violate the law while gambling online, even within a legal casino setting. She was joined in opposition by fellow Democrats Edith Ajello and Leonela Felix, along with Republican Rep. David Place. Cruz advocated for civil fines rather than criminal penalties, a position also supported by the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island.

Despite the committee’s renewed approval, no date has been set for a full House vote. The Senate’s companion bill, introduced by Sen. Frank Ciccone (D-Providence), is still under review after being examined by the Senate Committee on Gaming and Labor in March. Committee Chairman Robert Craven (D-North Kingstown), who supported the bill, noted that House rules prevent full debate during reconsideration.