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Rhode Island Casino Referendum Opposed

NEWPORT, Rhode Island – As reported by the Providence Journal: "The Newport County Chamber of Commerce has come out against the November referendum that would allow a Harrah's-Narragansett Indian casino in West Warwick.

"'Rhode Island and Newport County, in particular, have a highly recognizable and successful destination tourism economy,' executive director Keith Stokes said in a statement. 'The prospects of adding a new destination resort casino attraction that may very well compete, rather than complement our existing museums, hotels, retail and dining businesses, is simply poor economic planning and policy.'

"The chamber is a business advocacy group with 1,200 members, including Newport Grand, the video gambling operation that many say would be hurt by a West Warwick casino. The 26-member board of directors, which does not include a Newport Grand representative, voted unanimously at its Thursday meeting to oppose Question 1.

"…According to the chamber's statement, board members had concerns about granting 'a constitutional right to provide a private business the right to build and operate a casino in Rhode Island without first establishing a negotiated revenue sharing formula with the state.'…"

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