Narragansett Tribe down to wire on casino vote

Monday, November 6, 2006  

Tomorrow is judgment day in Rhode Island for the Narragansett Tribe.

The tribe and its partner, Harrah's Entertainment, are asking voters to amend the state constitution to authorize a $1 billion casino resort. Voters have rejected the idea in the past and polls show most people are opposed.

That hasn't stopped Harrah's from spending more than $12 million on the campaign. Supporters cite the jobs and revenue the casino will bring to the state.

Opponents have cited the social ills associated with gambling. State officials, including Gov. Donald Carcieri (R) say the casino will hurt revenues at two racetracks with slot machines.

The tribe can't engage in gaming on its reservation under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. There is an open question of whether the tribe could open a casino on land taken into trust outside of the reservation.

Get the Story:
Harrah’s group says e-mail was a mistake (The Providence Journal 11/6)
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High-stakes R.I. casino battle yields bitter brawl (The Boston Herald 11/6)
Who will make what if a casino is built (The Providence Journal 11/5)
R.I. casino question shifts odds in Mass. (The Boston Globe 11/5)
High Stakes In Tuesday's Rhode Island Casino Vote (The New London Day 11/5)
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