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Rhode Island Vote Ruling Today

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – As reported by the Providence Journal: "The federal judge who today will decide whether Rhode Island will vote in November to expand gambling is focused on how the Narragansett Indian Tribe would benefit from the proposed West Warwick casino.

"U.S. District Judge William E. Smith said the central question is whether the tribe would profit from the casino because it's a political entity or because of the ethnic or racial background of its members.

"…If the tribe is able to use the casino money for governmental purposes, such as paving roads, then Smith suggested the casino amendment would be constitutional. However, if the tribe were to get a casino over anyone else solely because of race, Smith suggested it would violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

"The comments came in a lawsuit the Town of Johnston and Colorado developer David H. Nunes, who tried to build a casino in Johnston, filed to block the ballot question…"

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