New casino would open door to coin-operated slot machines

Thursday, April 13, 2000 | 9:59 a.m.

Newport Grand Jai Alai and Lincoln Park should be able to add coin-drop slot machines if the Narragansett Indians' proposal for a casino is approved, said Senate Majority Leader Paul Kelly, D-North Smithfield.

The existing slot machines in Newport and Lincoln take a gamer's money, but spit out pieces of paper with winnings printed on them rather than spewing out coins.

"My sense is if we are going to go this route, we go this route all the way and make them competitive," Kelly told The Providence Journal.

The Narragansett Indians and a Las Vegas-based financial partner, Boyd Gaming Corp., are trying to get the casino proposal on the November ballot.

Rep. Antonio Pires, chairman of the House Finance Committee and sponsor of a 1995 bill to allow coin-drop slots, said the Lottery Commission has the authority to approve the expansion to coin-drops without another ballot question.

But Gov. Lincoln Almond's legal counsel, Joseph Larisa Jr., said the 1992 law allowing Lottery-sponsored gambling on video terminals is "crystal clear" that a player can only receive free games or credits that can be redeemed for cash. Thus, coin-drop machines would be a new type of gambling that would require voter approval under the state Constitution.

Almond is a longtime casino foe.

Kelly said the state is already in the gambling business, with Keno, scratch tickets, and video slot machines. If the state approves the West Warwick casino, Kelly said the General Assembly will have to look at how to keep those already approved games from failing.

"If we are going to change a governmental policy in Rhode Island that is going to affect future generations, then part of the consideration ... has got to be an equal playing field for all parties," Kelly said.