Title 41
Sports, Racing, and Athletics

Chapter 5.2
Mixed Martial Arts

R.I. Gen. Laws § 41-5.2-2

§ 41-5.2-2. License required for mixed martial arts exhibitions — Exception.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no mixed-martial-arts match or exhibition for a prize or a purse, or at which an admission fee is charged, either directly or indirectly, in the form of dues or otherwise, shall take place or be conducted in this state unless licensed by the division of gaming and athletics licensing in accordance with this chapter.

(b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any mixed-martial-arts match or exhibition in which the contestants are amateurs and that is conducted under the supervision and control of:

(1) Any educational institution recognized by the council on postsecondary education and the council on elementary and secondary education of this state; or

(2) Any religious or charitable organization or society engaged in the training of youth and recognized as such by the division of gaming and athletics licensing in this state.

(c) For the purposes of this section, an “amateur” means a person who engages in mixed-martial-arts matches or exhibitions for which no cash prizes are awarded to the participants, and for which the prize competed for, if any, shall not exceed in value the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00).

History of Section.
P.L. 2009, ch. 312, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 313, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 528, § 6; P.L. 2022, ch. 231, art. 3, § 13, effective June 27, 2022.