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Rhode Island Lawmakers Propose Casino Bidding Process

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – As reported by the Providence Journal: "With two of the nation's casino giants offering more than $500 million each to buy the British company that owns Lincoln Park, state lawmakers are questioning why Rhode Island would even think of giving its first-and-only casino license away for free.

"Led by House Majority Whip Rene Menard, five lawmakers have introduced a bill that would require competitive bidding if and when the state's voters allow a casino in West Warwick or anywhere else.

"For now, the push is coming from legislators from Lincoln and Newport, the homes of the state's two gambling venues and, as such, the two communities with the most to lose if the Narragansett Indians and their backers, Harrah's Entertainment, open the state's first Foxwoods-style casino in West Warwick.

"But Menard, D-Lincoln, said the bidding war for Lincoln Park's parent company -- and Harrah's offer earlier this year to pay $520 million up front for a riverboat casino license in Illinois -- should make every Rhode Island legislator think twice.

"But House Speaker William J. Murphy, who represents West Warwick, sought yesterday to distance himself from the bill that Menard, a high-ranking member of his own leadership team, introduced March 30 to require competitive bidding if voters say yes to casino gambling.

"…It remains to be seen whether lawmakers will approve a casino-referendum this November…"

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