Connecticut casinos could face rival in Rhode Island

Tuesday, November 7, 2006  

Connecticut's two tribal casinos face competition if voters in Rhode Island legalize a casino for the Narragansett Tribe.

The casinos owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Mohegan Tribe draw up to half of their customers from Rhode Island and Massachusetts. That could drop off when those gamblers have an option closer to home, according to a researcher

Clyde Barrow, the director of the Center for Policy Analysis at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, says Foxwoods, owned by the Mashantucket Pequots, would be hit the most. He predicted a $500 million per year loss.

The Narragansett Tribe and Harrah's Entertainment are asking voters to amend the state constitution to authorize a casino. Polls show most voters are opposed to the idea.

Get the Story:
New R.I. rival likely to hurt Eastern Connecticut casinos (The Norwich Bulletin 11/7)
After all the rhetoric, voters will have their say (The Providence Journal 11/7)
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