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Rhode Island Group Won't Back Off

NEWPORT, Rhode Island – As reported by the Newport Daily News: "Members of Citizens Concerned About Casino Gambling know they're in for a hard fight against well-heeled opposition, but they are not about to back off.

"Leaders of the area group said it has been campaigning against casino gaming in Rhode Island for 27 years and with the prospect of a statewide vote this year that could open the door to such a large-scale operation, the grassroots organization wants to step up its efforts.

"Twelve local residents gathered around a table in a conference room at the police station Saturday morning as part of a regular monthly meeting, discussing ways to spread the word about keeping a casino out of the state.

"…Among other ideas, there was discussion of hiring an executive director to handle lobbying, public relations and coordination of the anti-casino battle, a first for the group. Work is under way to update a mailing list and sponsor fund-raisers like the Feb. 6 roast of state Sen. June N. Gibbs, R-Middletown, who has long supported the group's cause.

"…The future of the gaming industry has been a hot-button topic in Rhode Island for some time and has heated up since the mid-1990s with the success of Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun in neighboring eastern Connecticut.

"Some see such multi-million dollar operations as a source to bolster the Rhode Island economy, providing thousands of jobs and another attraction for tourists visiting the region, not to mention adding more money to state coffers from fees and taxes.

"… In response, others like CCACG have argued a casino would have a devastating impact on the state and not be the panacea some have called it, creating an untold number of problem gamblers and resulting debt, crime and other issues…"

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