Rhode Island group continues casino fight

Monday, Aug. 28, 2000 | 11:09 a.m.

WEST WARWICK, R.I. -- An economic development group that championed the Narragansetts Indians' plan for a sprawling casino complex is forming a new organization to focus solely on generating support for the proposal.

West Warwick 2000 co-founder Robert D'Uva said the new group is meant to channel "the outrage of people who don't understand why they can't vote on this in November."

The group and the tribe unsuccessfully lobbied state lawmakers to put the gambling hall plan on the ballot.

Voters statewide must approve any casino proposal.

Boyd Gaming Corp. of Las Vegas partnered with the tribe to promote the project.

The West Warwick group and the tribe are now collecting signatures for a petition to convince the General Assembly to hold a special session to reconsider whether to approve a statewide referendum.

Some lawmakers said they opposed the $500 million casino plan because the state's cut of the profits was too small; others said they opposed expanding gambling in the state.

The Narragansetts accused lawmakers who voted against the plan of racism.