If you want to place a legal bet in New England on a professional or collegiate athletic event, you can starting on Monday, but only in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island legislation to legalize sports betting passed as part of the state budget at the end of June, just a little over a month after the US Supreme Court struck down the law banning it.    

Twin River Casino in Lincoln launches its sportsbook this afternoon at three o’clock.

Patti Doyle, a spokeswoman for Twin River, says the gambling will kick off with ceremonial first bets placed by Rhode Island’s House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, Senate President Dominic Ruggerio and Twin River executive John Taylor.

“All of the gentlemen are going to be placing a bet for charity,” Doyle said. “And if there’s any winnings those winnings will go to the charity of their choosing.”

Win or lose, the state by law gets a hefty 51% of the sports betting revenue, a percentage touted by state officials as being better than any other state currently running sports betting.

Doyle said Phase 1 will being with straight-forward wagering on major league and college games, including basketball, football, baseball, and hockey.

“And then down the road we’ll have a little bit more offerings, probably some international games as well as some over and under and parlay, but for right now we’re going to launch with professional sports and with NCAA sports,” Doyle said.

The exception to this, Doyle said, is any collegiate contest taking place in Rhode Island or involving a Rhode Island college team taking place anywhere.

Twin River expects its newer location, in Tiverton, to begin sports betting within a week to ten days.