Rhode Island lawmakers hear details of new casino plan

Tuesday, June 13, 2000 | 11:11 a.m.

The Narragansetts have been trying for years to win support for a gambling hall in Rhode Island and are in the midst of their most aggressive public relations campaign yet.

Under the tribe's latest proposal, the casino complex in 2003 would generate between about $150 million and $174 million for the state annually. That's over twice the amount offered in the last plan.

The money would come, in part, from a graduated tax on video slot machines of between 25 percent and 40 percent. Details were presented before the House Finance Committee.

"It really is the right time, there is the right type of support. Gaming is the fastest growing revenue source of your state budget," Donald Snyder, president of financial backer Boyd Gaming, told committee members.

The location of the casino was also moved closer to an industrial park and farther away from a neighborhood and an elementary school to accommodate some residents' concerns.

"I think we've answered many valid concerns from the West Warwick community. They don't have to like casinos, but it looks like a win-win situation for everyone," said Paulla Dove-Jennings, a Narragansett tribal council member.

But those who oppose the casino weren't impressed by the changes.

"They're talking about how much money they can get out of a casino, but no one is talking about the victims," said Rod Driver, a former state representative and an unsuccessful candidate for Congress.

"It affects more than those addicted. There are embezzlements, family breakups and even suicide. It's such compulsion. They're not talking about that."

The casino operation would pay the town of West Warwick a minimum of $11.2 million for property taxes annually, in addition to a share of slot revenues. Boyd Gaming says the package would reduce the town's property taxes by half.

Debate over the $500 million gambling hall proposal has spanned the casino's potential impact on everything from local taxes to crime and property values.

The tribe needs statewide voter approval to build the casino, but first must convince the General Assembly to put the proposal on the November ballot.

Gov. Lincoln Almond, a longtime gambling foe, has promised to oppose the project. If he vetoes the bill, 60 percent of the House and Senate would have to vote to override him.

A recent University of Rhode Island survey found that more than eight in 10 residents want the issue to go to a referendum.

Boyd Gaming representatives also said in their proposal that Newport Grand Jai Alai and Lincoln Greyhound Park should consider converting their paper voucher terminals to coin drop machines. That change would help increase their revenue, minimizing the financial impact a new casino would have.

People are more willing to gamble if their benefits are immediate, they said.