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Rhode Island Won't Seek Competitive Bids

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – As reported by the Providence Journal: "Rhode Island is not the only state that may soon open its doors to a new casino.

"But others are doing something the Rhode Island General Assembly and the West Warwick Town Council opted not to do when they cast their fate with Harrah's Entertainment: seek competing proposals.

"At least two states, Indiana and Missouri, are in the process of evaluating competing proposals for new casino licenses.

"The Indiana Gaming Commission has scheduled hearings July 19-21 on proposals from three competitors for the state's 11th riverboat casino license, including the Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts chain and a group that includes former Celtics basketball star Larry Bird.

"In Missouri, local selection committees recently cast their votes in favor of Pinnacle Entertainment, over Harrah's and two other companies, for potential new casino licenses in the St. Louis market.

"…Jan Jones, the former Las Vegas mayor who is senior vice president for communications at Harrah's, said Rhode Islanders should not make too much of what happens in Missouri or any other state without 'knowing all the facts.'

"…Nonetheless, the recent developments in Indiana, Missouri and Illinois -- where Harrah's made a widely publicized $520 million bid this year for a riverboat license -- have led critics of the proposed West Warwick casino to question Harrah's attempts to convince lawmakers here that competition is the exception, rather than the rule…"

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