PROVIDENCE — A federal bankruptcy judge will allow the Twin River slot parlor to hire the former president of an Indiana casino company to oversee operations at the Lincoln gambling venue.

John J. McLaughlin, formerly president of Centaur Gaming, in Indianapolis, will advise the lenders taking over the financially troubled slot parlor on how to improve Twin River’s operations in advance of a potential sale, according to filings with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Providence. Among other work, he will evaluate Twin River’s physical condition, analyze its spending and revenue and review its marketing and entertainment programs.

Under the terms of a six-month contract, McLaughlin will be paid $30,000 monthly, plus expenses. He’s expected to travel from Indiana to Rhode Island once or twice a month, according to the filings.

The Indiana casino executive cannot begin working for Twin River until the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation grants him an operator’s license.

McLaughlin is the subject of “a very detailed vetting process,” Stephen E. Hessler, a Twin River lawyer, told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Arthur N. Votolato on Tuesday.

Shelley C. Chapman, a lawyer working for the state, said: “He will not begin to work ... until that [vetting] process is complete.”

Chapman is a partner with the Willkie Farr & Gallagher law firm, which is assisting the DBR with the review of McLaughlin’s application, said Michael Marques, the department’s chief. That process began earlier in November.

The state was not involved in choosing McLaughlin, Chapman said.

But DBR must approve anyone considered for a role as a “key employee” at the state’s two slot parlors — Twin River and Newport Grand. The approval is required whether the applicant serves as a day-to-day management executive, a corporate board director or short-term consultant.

“I don’t know exactly what job he’s going to have,” Marques said.

Marques declined to say whether the review thus far had turned up any concerns with McLaughlin’s background.

McLaughlin is a casino industry veteran, having worked for both the Tropicana Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, N.J., and Harvey’s Casino Resorts in Lake Tahoe, Nev.

More recently, McLaughlin was president of Centaur, a small gaming company that ran into financial problems amid the recession and subsequent pullback in consumer spending. KEY POINTS Twin River slot parlor

Slot parlor operator UTGR filed for bankruptcy June 23.

UTGR’s creditors are trying to recoup up to $568 million by realigning or selling Twin River.

Twin River generated $242.3 million for the state in the last fiscal year.

pgrimald@projo.com