Narragansett Tribe, Harrah's hold casino forum

Wednesday, April 26, 2006  

The Narragansett Tribe and partner Harrah's Entertainment's held a three-hour forum on their proposed casino in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

According to The Providence Journal, the crowd was very pro-casino. People applauded when Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas entered the room and when he spoke about the project.

But some people grew tired after two hours of hearing from casino executives, the paper said. The forum was finally opened to questions in the third hour, as a few people voiced objections.

The tribe is seeking an amendment to the state constitution to allow the casino. A poll conducted by the Bureau of Government Research Services at Rhode Island College found that voters were split evenly on the idea but were in favor if it means tax relief.

The tribe is not allowed to go through the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act due to a rider placed in the law. The rider was added after the tribe won a court case affirming its gaming rights.

Get the Story:
Harrah's makes its pitch to the people, in West Warwick (The Providence Journal 4/26)
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RIC poll: Voters split on Indian casino (The Providence Journal 4/26)