Company says it won’t give up on a casino in Rhode Island

Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2004 | 9:27 a.m.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Harrah's Entertainment and a group of casino supporters say they're not backing away from bringing a casino to Rhode Island, despite setbacks this year.

The chief executive of the casino giant, Gary Loveman, was at the Statehouse on Monday.

"We're here to stay," he said. "I have to believe that at some point calmer heads will prevail and people will see the benefit of this project."

Loveman said besides Rhode Island, his company will push for gambling in neighboring Massachusetts, as well.

Harrah's had partnered with the Narragansett Indian Tribe to build a casino in West Warwick. The project needed voter approval, and legislators voted to put a referendum question on the ballot. A Superior Court blocked the question from going to voters, saying it would likely be challenged on grounds it violated the constitution.

Loveman also said the company was backing away from a slander lawsuit it had threatened against Gov. Don Carcieri over statements the governor made at an antigambling convention.

Loveman said that since Carcieri "never directly characterized my company" in negative terms "we don't have any plans to sue" him.