Rhode Island Approves Gambling Expansion
Voters across the U.S. voted in the presidential election on Tuesday. Senators, House of Reprentatives and local government officials were also on Tuesday’s ballot in many jurisdictions. Maryland and Rhode Island voters were also asked to vote on gambling expansion. Both states already have widespread gambling including slot machines, video poker, horse racing and lotto. Proponents hoped that voters would add table games and live poker to the list of legalized gambling in each state.
Maryland Casinos Approved for Table Games
Maryland’s vote included all state residents. The ballot question passed by a slim margin and is set to go into effect in 2013. Opponents are hoping that a court challenge filed last week will nullify this vote. The opposition asserts that the Maryland State Constitution states that any expansion of gambling must be approved by a majority of registered voters, not a majority of voters that made it to the polls for a specific election. This side states that 65% of the November 6th vote would have had to approve table games. That is based on the 79% turnout.
Penn National Gaming was among the opposition of Maryland gambling expansion. The company spent over $40 million backing the anti casino movement due to its Maryland racetrack getting excluded from expansion and the effect it would have on its Charles Town, West Virginia casino revenue. Maryland casino operators are optimistic that the court challenge has no merit and have already started the hiring process and have created over 1000 new positions.
Rhode Island Casino Vote Split
Rhode Island will also add table games, but only at one of its casinos. Rhode Island voters approved the measure but the decision is ultimately left up to local voters living near the state’s two existing casinos. Voters in Lincoln approved table games at the Twin Rivers casino. This expansion will also include live poker. Table games should be live in July 2013.
The Newport Grand was not as fortunate. Local voters in Newport defeated the measure, meaning that there will only be table games at one Rhode Island casino.
Rhode Island Lottery and racetrack officials have stated that this expansion is necessary to compete with recently approved casinos under development in Massachusetts. The addition of table games should also help keep it competitive with tribal mega resorts Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods in Connecticut.
