The Casino Vote
The latest news
Rendering courtesy of Harrah's Entertainment
On Tuesday, Nov. 7, voters rejected by a wide margin a ballot question that would have changed the state Constitution and allowed Harrah's Entertainment to build this casino for
the Narragansett Indian tribe near the town's business park in West Warwick. |
Games of chance are no longer a safe bet for R.I.Games such as Keno have been declining, and Powerball ticket sales are down compared to a year ago, but instant ticket sales are up. |
Details
At a glance: The proposal
Amendment seeks voter approval of a casino in West WarwickBuilding a casino in Rhode Island is either going to jump-start the state’s economy or drive it into financial ruin, if you listen to the advocates and opponents. Safety net for current slot halls: TaxpayersIf business at Lincoln Park and Newport Grand declines because of the proposed West Warwick casino, Rhode Island taxpayers will have to cover their losses -- potentially millions of dollars -- because of a deal crafted by state lawmakers last year. Would a casino worsen problem gambling in R.I.?For most people, a trip to the casino is a fun diversion, just like going to the theater or a nice restaurant. Harrah's is betting on Rhode Island to expand in NortheastWhen the Narragansett Indians first started working with Harrah's Entertainment Inc. in 2002 to bring a casino to West Warwick, Harrah's was a $4-billion company with 26 casinos in 12 states. Surveying the road toward a casinoGambling proposals have been a fixture in Rhode Island politics since the early 1970s, when voters amended the state Constitution to establish the state lottery. |
Casino Q&ACompiled by Journal staff writers
11.5.06: Who will make what if a casino is built? 11.3.06: What's in it for the Indians, Harrah's, West Warwick? 11.2.06: Can anyone bid for the casino license? 11.1.06: What type of tax rate would Harrah's pay the state? 10.31.06: Other than gambling, what else would there be to do at the casino? 10.30.06: What are voters being asked to decide? 10.29.06: Questions for Save Our State, which opposes the casino 10.29.06: Questions for Harrah's, which would operate the casino |
Watch a debate among some of the major voices in the casino debate, both pro and con.A look back at the 2004 proposal
Digital extras
Read the state Supreme Court opinion
Read Lynch and Carcieri's resulting court filings: The complaint to Superior Court / Motion for injunctive relief / Memo supporting motion for injunctive relief
Pundits weigh casino fallout
PROVIDENCE -- The way Brown University Prof. Darrell West sees it, the West Warwick casino issue has made for a frustrated electorate.
Casino vote is off Nov. ballot
PROVIDENCE -- The West Warwick casino proposed by Harrah's Entertainment and the Narragansett Indian Tribe is off the November ballot.
Justices advise casino bill illegal
PROVIDENCE -- The state Supreme Court yesterday, in an advisory opinion, declared unconstitutional both a planned November vote on a West Warwick casino and the legislation establishing the casino.
