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7/9/2014
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New Twin River laws aim to boost gaming facility’s appeal, competitive advantage
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STATE HOUSE – Several measures concerning Lincoln’s Twin River gaming facility became law this week with the addition of Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee’s signature.
One pair of companion bills (2014-H 8170aa, 2014-S 3013Aaa), sponsored by House Finance Committee Chairman Raymond E. Gallison Jr. (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth) and Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence), allows Twin River to issue credit lines of up to $50,000 per patron, and establishes limits and procedures for their issuance.
Casinos often issue lines of credit, referred to as “markers,” to patrons who don’t want to carry large amounts of cash or to those who have run out of cash while gambling. The legislation is aimed at keeping Twin River attractive and competitive as Massachusetts launches into casino gaming. Twin River expanded to offer table games last summer in addition to the video slots it has offered since 1992.
The new law includes a number of safeguards, including a provision requiring Twin River to check the credit-worthiness of individuals applying for credit, and the ability of patrons to limit their credit line, voluntarily have it reduced or suspended, or put themselves on a “self-exclusion” list of people who do not want credit issued to themselves at all.
The governor also signed a measure (2014-H 8129, 2014-S 3014) originally introduced by Rep. Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown) and Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Newport, Little Compton, Tiverton) to ban casinos from placing a lien on a Rhode Islander’s real estate as a means to collect a debt on a casino-issued line of credit from the gambler. Although it will also apply to Twin River, the measure was introduced in response to Connecticut casinos putting liens on Rhode Islanders’ homes to collect markers. While Mohegan Sun has used a real estate lien to collect a marker only once in Rhode Island, Foxwoods has reportedly used this method at least 30 times, and more than half of those liens were for debts of $1,000 or less. The sponsors introduced the measure to prevent the innocent families of gamblers from losing their homes, particularly over relatively small debts.
Additionally, the governor authorized legislation establishing a new liquor license that will allow Twin River, and any other future casinos that are open 24 hours a day, to extend the hours in which they may serve alcohol. The new Class B-C license, or casino license, will allow 24-hour casinos to serve alcohol from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as nights before federal and state holidays. The legislation (2014-H 8171, 2014-S 3012) was also sponsored by Chairman Gallison and Senate Majority Whip Goodwin.
For more information, contact:
Brenna McCabe, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2457
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