Some in Rhode Island are talking about the possibility of allowing Twin River and Newport Grand to become full Casinos.  Each establishment has video slots, but lacks table games.  In my opinion, it doesn't matter what you call them, they are casinos, and I know a lot of Rhode Islanders feel the same way.  Most citizens wouldn't care if table care games were added.  The only people who would probably be vehemently opposed are those who are opposed to gambling in any form.

     I was strongly opposed to allowing Harrah's and the Narragansett Indians to build a casino.  I don't have any problem with gambling, but I did have a major problem with Harrah's coming into the state and dictating the tax rate they were willing to pay.  As you may remember, this rate was far below the 61% Twin River and Newport Grand pay.  Plus, we know a full casino would have pulled business from the other two establishments, along with additional revenue for the state.  Besides the tax rate, i was always suspicious about how the General Assembly seemed to become much more welcoming of a casino once Boyd Gaming was out of the picture and Harrah's was working with the tribe.  It could have been a coincidence, but it never seemed right to me.

     This could be the perfect time to move ahead with a casino.  The poor economy is taking its toll on the gambling industry, and Foxwoods in particular is facing problems.  This slowdown, along with proposals to convert Twin River and Newport Grand into casinos could dissuade Massachusetts from adding casinos, or at the very least give us a competitive advantage.  We need to move forward and allow voters to decide the issue.  Our biggest problem isn't gaining more revenue, it's protecting the revenue stream we already have.