As we enter a new year, you can imagine that things don’t ever change massively on Rhode Island (RI). In echoes of plans put forward a year ago, the state is again proposing to allow table games to be played at one of the state’s slot parlors.
According to WPRI.com, Patti Doyle, a spokesperson from Twin River, told them that Rep. William San Bento Jr. is expected to introduce a bill that will call for a public referendum on the issue.
Voters will then, if it’s passed, have a chance to decide on whether to allow table games like blackjack and roulette to be played at the Lincoln slot parlor in November 2012. Twin River would expect the facility to create 650 new jobs and pump $65million into the economy.
Doyle added that, “It also helps ward off the likely competition from Massachusetts, which begins hearings on full casino gaming in its state next week.”
If passed, the legislation would allow, “all table and casino-style games played with cards, dice or equipment, for money, credit or any representative of value including, but not limited to roulette, blackjack, big six, craps, poker, baccarat, pai gow, any banking or percentage game.”
Twin River was chosen ahead of the state’s other slot parlor, the Newport Grand. It comes straight off the back of a Lincoln Town Council resolution passed last week requesting the General Assembly to look at the casino issue during the current legislative session.
What they must make sure is that they beat Massachusetts to the line. Otherwise they’ll have to find another way to plug the budget deficit.
