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Rhode Island House Begins Expanded Gambling Study7 May 2002RHODE ISLAND – As reported by the Associated Press: "House lawmakers on Monday unveiled plans for a nine-month study of expanded gambling in Rhode Island, where casino interests are eager to be first to offer full-scale gambling. "…The panel is made up entirely of Finance Committee members. "…The commission will travel throughout the state next March for public comment, before submitting its report to the General Assembly the following month. "…Finance Committee Chairman Gordon Fox, D-Providence, could not say how much the study will cost taxpayers. "…The panel was formed after two Nevada-based casino companies said they were interested in Rhode Island. One of those companies, Boyd Gaming, has a deal with the Narragansett Indians to build a casino in West Warwick. "Two years ago the House Finance panel voted down a request to put a question the ballot asking voters if they would support the tribe's casino plans. "…The Narragansetts haven't given up hope, however. They plan to make a pitch to the Senate Finance Committee later this month. "Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas said the tribe will soon unveil scaled-back casino plans. He hopes a smaller project than the tribe's previous Foxwoods-style plan will sway critics who want to preserve state revenues from video-lottery terminals at Lincoln Park and Newport Grand Jai Alai…" |