Politics & Government
Voters Will Decide on Newport Grand Expansion
The governor has signed legislation to put the question of expanding Newport Grand to include table games on the November ballot.
The decision of whether Newport Grand will allow table games is now up to the voters, NECN.com reports.
According to their report, Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed legislation on Wednesday that would put the question on the November ballot.
The legislation has made its way through the Rhode Island House and Senate over the past month.
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Newport Grand proposed the expansion in response to the imminent casinos coming to Massachusetts.
The issue when the casino announced that it was looking into adding table games. Mayor Stephen Waluk said he wanted the city and residents to be open-minded about the possibility and potential of adding table games to the casino.
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The Newport City Council unanimously voted for the referendum last January.
During the meeting, several casino employees attended the meeting in support of expanding.
Newport Grand CEO Diane Hurley had written a letter to the council detailing the benefits of adding table games. The addition would not only help the casino, but local revenues as well, she wrote.
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