Courtesy of: http://www.newportdailynews.com
Newport Grand and Lincoln Park have joined the anti-casino coalition Save Our State, infusing the group with an "initial investment" of $1 million.
Officials from the state's two gaming venues said they joined the group because they believe the proposal by the Narragansett Indian tribe and Harrah's Entertainment to build a full-fledged resort casino in West Warwick would cost Rhode Island taxpayers millions of dollars in lost gaming revenue and give the Las Vegas-based corporation an unfair competitive advantage.
"Rhode Island taxpayers cannot allow Harrah's to put Newport Grand and Lincoln Park out of business," said Diane S. Hurley, CEO of Newport Grand. "The state will not be able to make up the revenue generated by Lincoln Park and Newport Grand, who pay 60 percent tax, with the 25 percent tax Harrah's is offering - the numbers just don't add up."
Question 1 on the November ballot will ask voters to approve an amendment to the state constitution allowing the tribe and its partner to build and operate a casino in West Warwick, with proceeds to the state used to provide property tax relief. The amendment does not specify what percentage of revenues the state would receive, or how that money would be used.
In the past, Harrah's officials have said they would consider a tax rate of 25 percent of revenues. The state passed legislation last year pledging to reimburse Newport Grand and Lincoln Park for any losses in revenue associated with a West Warwick casino, an arrangement known as "slippage."
Former Gov. Lincoln Almond, chairman of Save Our State, welcomed Newport Grand and Lincoln Park aboard.
"Harrah's is a behemoth," Almond said. "They purchased $2 million in advertising just last month alone. We need and are grateful for the support of Newport Grand and Lincoln Park so that we can effectively educate Rhode Islanders about what a bad deal this casino is for our beloved state."
Narragansett Indian Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas, chairman of the pro-casino Rhode Islanders for Jobs and Tax Relief, said it was not a surprise to see the state's existing gaming parlors joining opposition to the casino amendment.
"Two weeks ago, Lincoln Almond claimed that the organization cynically named 'Save Our State' was opposed to all casinos," Thomas said. "Today's announcement proves that his group is really just a front for other casino companies, and their real motto is 'Save Our Slots.'
"Their only interest is their own self-interest," Thomas said. "As of today, every major organization that opposes the Narragansett Indian casino is being funded by casinos with an interest in protecting the status quo ... and their own bottom lines."
Casino opponents also have expressed concerns about the lack of details available to the public. When Lincoln Park and Newport Grand negotiated for expansion plans last year, they noted, the process was conducted in public by the General Assembly. Other than a preliminary financial proposal that showed the tribe receiving 5 percent of revenues, Harrah's plans have remained secret, they said.
Other members of Save Our State include Dale Venturini, executive director of the Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association, and Gary Sasse, director of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council.
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