Casino Lobbyists Have Better Chance For Expansion In Rhode Island

In 2006, Rhode Island voters were asked if they wanted casino expansions in their state and they responded by rejecting the proposal. This year, however, casino lobbyists are betting that they change their minds, especially considering a sluggish state economy and the threat of new casinos being built in Massachusetts.

Thanks to a provision in the state Constitution, voters will have the final say in November when a ballot question will determine whether the Twin River slot parlor will be allowed to offer Las Vegas-style gambling, complete with table games such as poker, craps, roulette and blackjack.

Another proposal from the Newport Grand slot parlor is also making its way through the General Assembly at this time.

Casino supporters state that without an approval to expand, their businesses will be swallowed up by the other options across state lines, which will hurt the local economy as state residents spend their dollars elsewhere.

Rhode Island is surrounded by Connecticut, which is home to both the Foxwoods Casino and Mohegan Sun Casino, and Massachusetts, which voted last November to allow the construction of three full-scale casinos and one slot-only casino.

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