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6/18/2013
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General Assembly grants final passage of Mattiello anti-cheating bill for Twin River table games
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 STATE HOUSE – Legislation establishing criminal laws against cheating at casino games and creating a gaming enforcement unit within the State Police has passed both chambers and now awaits Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee’s signature.
The House of Representatives passed both companion bills – sponsored by House Majority Leader Nicholas A. Mattiello (D-Dist. 15, Cranston) and Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence) respectively – today in anticipation of Twin River’s plan to open table games to the public on June 19.
The legislation (2013-H 6221aa, 2013-S 0979Aaa) makes cheating at casino games a felony and establishes penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines of $100,000 for any patron or employee engaged in it. Cheating may include rigging machinery or computers, taking advantage of a malfunction, tampering with cards or dice, and using any device or means that could alter the normal chance or result of a game.
Leader Mattiello pointed out that the series of stiff penalties will undoubtedly serve as a deterrent to criminal activity and protects the integrity of games at Twin River’s facility.
“With Twin River breaking into new territory, it is imperative that the state have an appropriate set of rules and regulations in place so it’s universally understood that the facility will be running a tight ship,” said Leader Mattiello (D-Dist. 15, Cranston). “Eighteen percent of revenue from those table games will go to the state, so we not only have a significant interest in deterring cheating, but feel a sense of duty in making sure this is done well and done right.”
The legislation also creates the Gaming Enforcement Unit within the Rhode Island State Police, which will have the authority to enter and inspect the casino at any time, observe its operations and records, eject anyone violating laws, and enforce the new laws relating to table games.
Additionally, the bill eliminates the “Rhode Island Gaming Control and Revenue Act,” which went into effect in 2004 in anticipation of a possible resort casino in West Warwick. That section of law became obsolete when voters rejected a ballot question in 2006 asking whether to allow such a facility.
Faced with the likelihood of competition from possible casinos in nearby Massachusetts, Rhode Island voters approved the addition of casino-style gaming activities at Twin River last November.
Cosponsors of the House bill include Representatives Joy Hearn (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence), K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick), Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) and Lisa P. Tomasso (D-Dist. 29, Coventry, West Greenwich). The Senate bill is cosponsored by Sen. Walter S. Felag Jr. (D-Dist. 10, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton), Sen. Michael J. McCaffrey (D-Dist. 29, Warwick), Sen. David E. Bates (R-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence) and Senate Majority Leader Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence).
For more information, contact:
Brenna McCabe, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2457
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