Rhode Island Rep Reintroduces Bill To Repeal Social Gaming Ban

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Rhode Island state representative has reintroduced a bill to allow social gambling in private homes, public taverns and private clubs.

The legislation brought by Rep. William W. O’Brien, D-North Providence, would legalize activities such as Super Bowl squares and NCAA Basketball Tournament bracket pools if there is a social relationship between participants and no person other than the participants receives anything of value.

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“With legalized sports betting proving to be very successful for the state, now is the time to make every office pool or good-natured wager between friends and family legal, too," O'Brien said in the release.

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"This is a reasonable and practical bill that corrects this issue in state law that may technically make someone’s grandmother or uncle into a criminal during the Super Bowl or March Madness,” O’Brien said.

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O’Brien has introduced the legislation for the past several sessions, according to the release.

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"The bill further establishes that no entry fees or proceeds from the gaming can be paid to the house, host, owner or manager of the establishment or private residence," the release said.

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