Rhode Island to Consider Expanding Its Slot Parlors Into Casinos
The Rhode Island House Finance Committee will review a bill that could end up expanding the state’s two slot parlors. This bill, which will be reviewed on May 20, would end up allowing the parlors to expand to include full casino games.
This bill will allow for the addition of various slot machines and table games at these casinos. The bill would go to the voters of Rhode Island if it is not shut down by the House.
Increased competition from Massachusetts for gambling revenues is the main factor in this bill. Two new casino resort licenses have recently been approved in the commonwealth. Thousands of new slot machines in the race tracks there have also been approved. This bill could be used to allow Rhode Island to be more competitive with Massachusetts.
The bill would impact Newport’s Newport Grand and Lincoln’s Twin River Casino. Both venues have video lottery machines but no table games. Twin River is also looking to relieve itself of its greyhound racing activities.
Two major concerns have come up with this bill. Some lawmakers are looking to focus more on helping Twin River recover from its bankruptcy. Also, voters have not been keen to gambling expansions in the past. They voted against the construction of a West Warwick casino in 2006.
