LINCOLN –– Two years after Lincoln voters sounded an emphatic “no” in a non-binding referendum on whether Twin River should expand to around-the-clock operations, the video-slot parlor goes to 24-hour, 7-day-a-week gambling starting Thursday.

Local officials express a mix of feelings about the change, which got the state lottery director’s key approval. The General Assembly took the first step last year by approving 24-hour gambling in a state beset with trenchant economic troubles.

Some town officials, in interviews last week, made clear that if any proposals come along for expansion beyond what begins Thursday, they believe it would trigger a provision requiring a decision from Lincoln — a binding decision this time.

“The big issue with us is that — and I think most of us feel this way — we are being left out of the decision making on this,” said Councilman Keith Macksoud, whose district includes Twin River. Residents, he said, said no years ago and “that seems to be falling on deaf ears.”

But Macksoud also said that when Twin River got approval to increase to a “24-3” system of being open all night on weekends and holidays and from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. on weekdays, he wanted to see the impact. He has seen statistics and “having it open 24-3 has not really caused significant problems for the town — not for safety, not in increased crime, not increased problems with the police,” he said, making clear he was referring to major incidents. Nevertheless, he believes the town should have a voice in decisions, even ones in economic times not seen in a generation.

Both Macksoud and Town Administrator T. Joseph Almond said Twin River has reached the limit of expanding without getting approval from the town. “Any other changes, it will kick in the constitutional requirement … that will require a local binding referendum.”

Separately, the town continues to retain authority over what is allowed for Twin River’s liquor licenses, Macksoud said.

General Assembly-approved legislation last month restored what had been an increase in Lincoln’s take of lottery receipts, and Macksoud expressed gratitude to Senate Majority Leader Daniel Connors, D-Cumberland, who submitted the legislation. It followed local concerns that a sunset provision, which would have reduced the local take of lottery proceeds to a previous level, would have significantly undercut the town’s budget.

Almond said the bulk of any lottery money that comes in above a set multimillion-dollar lottery receipts contribution must go into a capital projects fund used for such things as sidewalk repairs, parks and building projects and can therefore act as tax relief. That is a good move, he said, because it avoids the risk of betting on lottery projections coming in higher in setting an operating budget.

Emergency response details, such as the police, are assigned to Twin River, which pays for them, Almond said, and he foresaw no need for increasing the details; the town has already been required to meet minimum manning overnight.

“I don’t see this change here to be really any different from what’s gone on for the last year and a half,” Almond said, referring to the 24-3 schedule at Twin River. Statistics, he added, have shown no significant impact on police/fire calls during the extended hours already in place.

“Call volume has been very low specific to that facility” during overnight hours, Almond said.

The police chief, through a secretary, deferred comment to the town administrator.

Whatever the statistics, there is a sense of wanting a local voice in decisions. Council President Ronald A. McKenna simply referred to past comments he’s made. In June, he spoke of a provision to institute 24-7 gambling as something being forced down town residents’ throats.

mmckinne@projo.com