Rhode Island, with a population of just over 1 million residents, have followed Delaware in becoming the latest state to launch sports betting, becoming the eighth across the US to do so.

It has been far from seamless though.

The industry kicked off almost two months late, culminating in the state losing out on revenue from the much anticipated start of the NFL, as well as the chance for RI patrons to wager on Boston Red Sox in the World Series.

This is a blow to the original plans and predictions and surprising given the speed at which the lawmakers originally moved at to see Rhode Island become the first in New England to legalise the industry; once the Supreme Court had ruled in favour of individual states having the power to call the shots, the required law was enacted just five weeks later.

Though now up and running, the law does not cater for online sports betting as is also the case along the East coast, in Delaware. While the desire is there, of interest first and foremost has been guaranteeing the smooth introduction of sports betting.

Whether the industry is expanded fully to allow for mobile wagering is one to watch going into 2019 but the early signs appear positive, with the potential to launch sports betting online in the second half of the year. Just in time for the 2019/20 NFL season perhaps!

Before you begin wagering, you’ll need to set up a betting account.

As long as you have the essential credentials, you should be up and running with a sports betting account in less than ten minutes. A registration form tends to consist of the following information:

· Personal details: Full name, address, cellphone number, email address

· Account information: Username and password

· Payment method: Credit/Debit Card (VISA, Mastercard)

The Ocean State has waited patiently for the opportunity to combine its affection for sports with a desire to wager. Now we’re here, it’s good some light is shed on how to place wagers in Rhode Island.

Players in Rhode Island currently only have one online sportsbook available, which is run by The Rhode Island Lottery

For online sports betting, players in RI can use the one and only option currently available:

• Sportsbook Rhode Island

For in-person wagering, players in RI can use either of the two casinos available:

• Twin River Casino in Lincoln
• Tiverton Casino Sportsbook

As America’s smallest state, RI is home to a number of semi-professional teams but no major teams, not a shock considering its size. Providence Friars Basketball team of the Big East Conference receive the biggest following and manage to remain competitive year-on year.

But with Masachusetts and New York, two of the largest sporting states in the US, either side of RI, there’s no shortage of major teams to follow.

The first legal sports wager in Rhode Island went the way of the Boston Celtics of the NBA, the common sport of RI.

No drama if basketball isn’t your thing, you have the option of following the New England Patriots of the NFL and New England Revolution, who play in the MLS. MLB side Boston Red Sox are the greatest pull however, if baseball is your game that is. They stand as one of America’s greatest sporting sides and have a history of success dating back to 1903.

The casinos in Rhode Island will have a full quota of wagering options for you to select from for each sporting event. Certain wagers are more typical in a given sport though so it’s essential you know the best wagers for each.

Point spread: Select the margin of points in which you think the favored team will cover the point spread or whether the underdog will lose by fewer points than the point spread.

Money line: Pick who you think will win the game or event

Totals: Pick the total point scored in a particular period of the game. You will need to opt for Over or Under the line set by the bookmaker.

Propositions: Here, you’re betting on whether an occurrence in a game will or won’t happen. The options tend to center on individual players or teams.

Futures: Do you have a gut feeling this could be your team’s year? This option allows for a wager on an event to happen in the future.