Once again Rhode Island voters were asked to approve building a full-scale casino, this time in Tiverton, near the Massachusetts border. Question 1, which appeared on the ballot statewide and also in Tiverton, narrowly passed both a statewide and local vote for approval on Tuesday. It is one of seven statewide referenda to be approved on the November ballot.
Question 1, which appeared on the ballot statewide and also in Tiverton, narrowly passed both a statewide and local vote for approval on Tuesday. It is one of seven statewide referenda to be approved on the November ballot.
Statewide Results
Statewide, Question 1 passed on Tuesday night with 197,472 (55.3%) voting to approve and 159,484 (44.7%) voting to reject.
Tiverton Results
In Tiverton, Question 1 passed on Tuesday night with 3,912 (52.3%) voting to approve and 3,561 (47.7%) voting to reject.
In Tiverton, Question 8 also had to pass. In those unofficial results on Tuesday night, 3,927 (51.9%) voted to approve and 3,644 (48.1%) voted to reject. All together when you count mail ballots, 4,305 voted to approve the casino and 3,939 voted to reject.
The Tiverton Casino
Twin River Management is estimating that a Tiverton full-scale casino would generate some $50 million plus in revenue for the state of Rhode Island, considerably higher than the state currently receives from Newport Grand. Projections have shown that if the Tiverton casino was defeated, revenues from Newport Grand would decline.
The city of Newport currently receives slightly less than $500,000 annually from Newport Grand, while Twin River Management is projecting that the town of Tiverton would receive $3 million from gambling revenue.
What happens to the land where Newport Grand is currently located, if the Tiverton casino is approved?
Patti Doyle, a spokesperson for Twin River Management, said ”If the Tiverton ballot measure prevails, Twin River has committed to working with the City on the best and highest use of the property, which includes, if the City and State determine, knocking down the building.”
Twin River Management says the project will generate some 300 construction jobs, and 550 to 600 casino employees, 350 to 400 full time. Twin River Management also says that he first 150 jobs will be offered to current Newport Grand employees.
Specific plan
- Location is off Route 24 in Tiverton on a 45-acre site, of which 23 acres is developable.
- Parking for 1,100 customer vehicles and 200 employee vehicles.
- One thousand slot machines and 32 table games.
- A sit-down restaurant, plus two or three other “branded third party” restaurants.
- Eighty-four room hotel.
Proponents
Besides Twin River Management, there was a long list of local (Tiverton) to statewide politicians, including the governor. The list included Chamber of Commerce officials from Northern Rhode Island, and state labor leaders. It is a well-funded effort, with a reported nearly $800,000 in campaign cash, according to campaign finance reports.
The key argument of the proponents was keeping Rhode Island competitive with the anticipated larger facilities opening in Massachusetts. Gaming revenues, the proponents note, are the third highest revenue source in the Rhode Island budget.
Opponents
Four groups were listed as opponents – No Tiverton Casino, Interfaith Clergy of Tiverton and Little Compton, No Casino RI, and Stop Predatory Gambling. According to campaign finance reports this group has not raised any money.
In published reports from Bitstarz Casino reviewed by Cryptogmblr, however, the group has been specific about its opposition, similar to the opposition that traditionally surfaces to most gaming proposals.
No Tiverton Casino, in a published report, said that the “poorest and most vulnerable citizens” in both Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts would be “put most at risk.” It calls gambling “a tax on the poor,” and projects a series of negative consequences, including foreclosures, family problems, and financial struggles
In commendatory in the Herald News, Johne E. Higginbotham, rector of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Tiverton, said the Northeast is becoming saturated with casinos, that casinos represent a regressive tax on low-wage earners, the casino will spread gambling addiction, drain wealth from communities, and any financial gains experienced by the state will be offset by social costs.