Rhode Island Casinos

CASINO NEWS

March 28, 2012
Newport Grand Slot Parlor May Offer Table Games If Voters Approve

The operation of table games maybe a possibility in the future at the Newport Grand slot parlor. A proposed referendum for the table games has been approved by a senate committee. If passed by the state’s Senate, it could be on the ballot for voters to have the final decision on in November.

The referendum was previously passed by the House. The Senate is scheduled to vote on the matter next week.

If approved, the Newport Grand will be able to offer Vegas style gaming. Guests to the casino will be able to enjoy games like blackjack and poker. The operation of table games will allow for the casino to compete against neighboring Massachusetts for gaming dollars. This potential could earn more revenue for Rhode Island.

Currently state law requires voter approval for the casino across the state as well as the city where the casino will be located.
 

November 16, 2011
Rhode Island Prepares for Casino Competition

Massachusetts may have casinos if approved by legislation. Rhode Island’s governor is preparing for possible casino competition.

A consultant will study the possible impact on the state’s casinos, the Newport Grand and Twin River. Every year the two casinos have helped fund state programs by millions of dollars.

The governor believes now is the time to prepare Rhode Island for possible casino competition in order to protect the state’s major source of revenue.

June 11, 2010
RI House & Senate OK casino referendum
The House of Representatives and the Senate passed a bill last Thursday that may go before voters in November. It is possible that two of the states slots parlors will become casinos. No amendments had to be made to the bill for it to be passed.

Twin River in Lincoln, and Newport Grand in Newport currently operate virtual blackjack and video lottery gaming machines. The new bill will allow for table games to be added.

Supporters of the bill feel it will be good for economic development in the communities and the state. They also fear losing revenues to Massachusetts, where a casino could open across the border. Casinos in Rhode Island would help keep gambling money in the state.

The Governor is the next stop for the bill to be approved. If it is signed by the Governor, voters will have the choice on final approval.

October 6, 2009
RI House Speaker says its time to reconsider casinos

PROVIDENCE, RI - House Speaker William Murphy said the General Assembly should revisit the casino issue for Rhode Island.

In a radio interview, Murphy said the state will lose considerable gambling revenues if Massachusetts decides to build resort-style casinos. An estimated $117.4 million dollars from gambling revenues were paid into the state treasury last year by Massachusetts residents visiting Twin River and Newport Grand. "I think we should have another vote," Murphy said.

Murphy supported a 2006 ballot measure to allow Narragansett Indians to build a casino in West Warwick
 

June 23, 2009
Twin River casino seeks bankruptcy

Twin River filed for bankruptcy today in hopes to restructure and rid its heavy debts. The casino has 4,700 slot machines, roulette tables, and live greyhound racing, and employs more than 800 people. In its filing the casino listed assets of between $100 million and $500 million, and other assets of between $500 million to $1 billion

The papers filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Rhode Island state "Twin River's remaining revenues are simply insufficient to fund operations and to service the interest payments on the approximately $589 million in secured debt incurred to acquire and upgrade their facilities."

The casino said the live greyhound racing has operated at a loss, and it hopes the state legislature will repeal the statutory requirement to have it.

November 3, 2008
U.S. Supreme Court hears case over Narragansett land

PROVIDENCE – The Supreme Court will decide whether the U.S. secretary of the interior can hold tribal land in trust under the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act, when the tribe was not recognized by the federal government until after 1934.

This specific case involves the Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island, who purchased 31 acres in Charlestown in 1991 to be used be used for "economic development" and housing for the elderly and poor. While construction began on an elderly housing complex, the state sued to stop the tribe from placing the land into federal trust which would exclude it from most state and local laws. State officials feared the tribe would eventually build a casino or create a tax-free zone.

Today the case reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Several hundred other tribes that were recognized after 1934 will be affected by the outcome of this case. The Bush administration agrees with the tribe and argues the 1934 act allows it to take land into trust to benefit American Indians regardless of when their tribes were recognized. Twenty one states side with Rhode Island and want the Supreme Court to limit that authority arguing that states lose control over tribal trust land within their own borders.

The court will also decide whether a 1978 land settlement between the Narragansett and Rhode Island puts limits on new trust lands in the state.

For more information about the Narragansett, visit www.narragansett-tribe.org.
 

February 25, 2008
Supreme Court will hear Narragansett Tribe v. Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE - The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a land dispute between the Narragansett Indian Tribe and Rhode Island. The justices will decide whether land purchased by the tribe in 1991 should be governed by Rhode Island law or tribal and federal law.

The Narragansett have tried for years to build an Indian casino in southern Rhode Island. They would like to derive financial success similar to Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun in neighboring Connecticut.

In 1978 the tribe received 1,800 acres of land in a legal settlement that subjected the parcel to state and local control and a state ban on casinos. In 1996 the U.S. Congress banned the Narragansetts from applying under federal law to build a casino on that land without state approval.

However, the case before the Supreme Court is based on 31 acres in Charlestown that the tribe purchased in 1991 to build housing for their elderly. This land is not part of the 1978 settlement. The tribe would like the U.S. Department of Interior to take this land into federal trust, which effectively removes it from state and local control.

The state argues that the federal government cannot take land into trust for tribes recognized after the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act unless they meet certain ancestry requirements or Congress specifically authorizes it. Rhode Island lawyers argue that since the Narragansetts were not federally recognized until 1983, they cannot place their land into trust unless Congress allows it.

The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston rejected the state's case last July. The Supreme Court will now review the case sometime later this fall. Their decision could impact on tribes throughout the country by changing the status of tribal land, especially newly acquired lands.

Rhode Island voters rejected a proposed amendment to the state constitution in 2006 that would have allowed the Narragansett tribe and Las Vegas-based Harrah's Entertainment to operate a casino in West Warwick.
 

January 10, 2008
Proposal to Legalize Rhode Island Casinos

PROVIDENCE – State Representative William San Bento plans to file a legislative bill to legalize two resort casinos in Rhode Island. He will propose expanding the Twin River and Newport Grand slot parlors with table games, restaurants, and hotels.

"It'll put us a step ahead of what may happen in Massachusetts," San Bento said.

The measure requires a constitutional amendment, so if it is passed by the General Assembly in this legislative session and signed by the governor, it could appear on voter ballots this coming November.

San Bento filed another bill last week to allow the two slot parlors to stay open 24 hours everyday. That proposal is on the fast track and could be voted on within the next few weeks.

In the November 2007 election, the residents of Lincoln, RI voted 65% against 24-hour gambling at Twin River in a non-binding measure. Sixty percent opposed the expansion of casino gambling at Twin River.
 

October 5, 2007
24 Hour Gambling Proposed

PROVIDENCE – State Senator Paul Moura will introduce legislation to allow 24-hour gambling at the state's two licensed slot parlors, Twin River and Newport Grand. Moura says his state will need these changes to counter the impact when Massachusetts builds its casinos.