R.I. Senate approves Twin River all-night gambling bill
1 July 2009
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island -- As reported by The Providence Journal: "The Senate has voted and sent to the governor a bill to allow round-the-clock gambling, seven days a week at Twin River, while also forcing the owners of the bankrupt track and slot parlor to drop their plans to suspend live greyhound racing on Aug. 8, and run a full 200-day season.
"The vote was 25 to 10.
"The House approved the bill Friday, despite strong warnings a day earlier by Gary Sasse, the director of the state Department of Administration, that the state could lose upward of $25 million in gambling revenue if legislators interfere with the restructuring plan.
"Under its bankruptcy plan, Twin River would turn over ownership of the 62-year-old track and slot parlor in Lincoln to its lenders, who would be free to bring in a new operator, within 120 days, unless an alternate agreement was reached. The agreement hinges, in part, on the legislature agreeing to relieve Twin River of its current obligation to run at least 125 days of greyhound racing each year, which has been a losing proposition..."