Casino

1) Opponents say the casino will kill business at Lincoln Park and Newport Grand. You acknowledge there will be some losses but not enough to seriously hurt their businesses. Why do you believe so?

Destination casino resorts serve different market segments than convenience gambling facilities like Lincoln. Independent studies confirm a modest and temporary effect on Lincoln, and significant overall state fiscal benefits.

2) Opponents also say a casino will kill off local theaters and restaurants. Are they wrong and why?

Evidence from across America shows casinos grow these businesses by drawing tourists. Our casino will attract 3 million tourists annually; well market Rhode Island as a vacation and leisure destination.

3) If voters approve the casino, would Harrahs embark on a plan to build a casino in Massachusetts? If not, is Harrahs concerned about the possibility of Massachusetts approving slot machines?

Harrahs would not actively advocate for gaming expansion in Massachusetts. Slots at Massachusetts tracks would be a threat to convenience gambling facilities like Lincoln, not casino resorts.

4) Mohegan Sun offers gamblers supervised care for children as young as six weeks old. Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun also offer video arcades for children. Would the West Warwick casino offer childcare or an arcade?

The Narragansett Indian Casino would not provide these services, and nor would we market the casino as family entertainment.

5) Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods continue to expand to compete with each other and keep new entrants from the market. Would Harrahs need to continually expand as well? And if so, does the company control enough land in West Warwick to expand?

Our $1 billon project means Rhode Island will compete effectively with Connecticuts casinos. Future expansion depends on factors including market conditions and the towns willingness and approval.

6) Smoking is prohibited in public places in Rhode Island, with the exception of some gambling areas of Lincoln Park and Newport Grand. Would you ask lawmakers to allow smoking in your casino and if so what sections?

Our project is designed to compete with the Connecticut casinos, which allow smoking. We would provide a comfortable environment for and accommodate all employees and guests, smokers and non-smokers alike.

7) Lincoln Park and Newport Grand allow people to gamble at age 18. What age would you propose for your casino and why?

Twenty-one is the legal age to gamble at almost all casinos nationwide, and to send a consistent message to young people we will restrict gaming to adults 21 and older.

8) Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun give gamblers free drinks. Lincoln Park and Newport Grand do not. Do you propose to give gamblers free alcohol?

Complimentary beverage service is something destination resort customers expect. Market research will determine the importance of these and other services in competing for customers now going to Connecticut.

9) You say the casino will create 3,800 full-time jobs. Do you plan to have on-site parking for them or shuttle the workers in from remote lots as Foxwoods does?

Parking for all employees will be provided in surface lots on-site, as we have presented in plans to the residents of West Warwick.

10) Mohegan Sun gives each employee one free hot meal per shift, has an employee center with a subsidized fitness center, on-site pharmacy, bank and other services. Do you plan to offer any similar perks?

We will compete with the Connecticut casinos on many levels, including employee benefits. We offer similar perks around the country, such as on-site medical and dental care.

Scott Mayerowitz