Rhode Island May Permit Gambling at Casinos All Night

Twin River has estimated the state's take on the increased revenue could be as high as $16.5 million annually.

In a pattern that seems to cover almost every state in the union, Rhode Island is looking desperately for sources of income to help fund the state budget, and, as usual, the red-headed stepchild that is casino gambling is suddenly in favor. State legislators have submitted several bills allowing a change in permissable hours of operation for the state's two legal casinos.

While presently the slot machines at the dog tracks at Twin River and Newport Grand must close from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m., the new proposals would permit 24 hour operations. Twin River has estimated the state's take on the increased revenue could be as high as $16.5 million annually from that location alone.

State Represetative William San Bento has said: “We need the money. If this wasn’t this particular year, I think it might be a tough deal. But I honestly feel we are in such bad shape for money, anywhere we can get $16 million to $17 million, we better grab it.” 

Bento's bill would remove the closing requirements, with no further action necessary to keep the casinos jingling all night. However, a second bill, authored by Representative J. Russell Jackson, would require the approval of both voters throughout the state and the communities in which the casinos are located.

A public hearing has been scheduled for today in Lincoln, home of the Twin River facility, and so far the Lincoln Town Council has been resistant to the expanded hours suggested. Although the President of the Council, Jeremiah O'Grady, has accepted that the political climate is such that a change in hours is inevitable, he would like to limit the new hours to weekends and holidays. Of course, he also wants Lincoln to share in the wealth.

O'Grady stated, “Lincoln residents clearly reject 24-hour operations at Twin River and do not relish the prospect of bleary-eyed, up-all-night gamblers getting behind the wheel just when Lincoln residents hit the road for work, school, or church in the mornings."

The objection doesn't take into account overcaffeinated gamblers rushing to meet the doors unlocking at the present opening of 8 a.m.; or the distracted and upset gambler who must leave a hot streak behind and drive amidst the late-night drunks, forced onto the road by the 1 a.m. close. Clearly, O'Grady's thoughts are not well-organized, and it must be seen as another attempt to use random reasons as a way to take part of the revenue.