The Providence Journal Reports....
A hiring spurt is coming as the RI Lottery moves into new the role as casino operator. A consultant has advised the state Lottery to hire 30 to 35 additional staffers to operate and regulate Rhode Island's first full-fledged casino when table games come to Twin River this summer. The hiring would increase by at least 60 percent the number of state employees working for the Lott, at an anticipated new cost of $1.2 million in salaries and benefits this year, $3.95 million next year. That does not include the six to eight detectives that Col. Steven G. O'Donnell, superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, plans to assign to a new "casino unit" at Twin River to ensure "the integrity of the games." In case you've never visited, Twin River Casino is now home to more than 4,750 electronic-gambling machines. Voters last month approved the addition of "state-operated casino gaming'' at the privately owned Twin River. Remember, it's only ten minutes from Providence and 45 minutes from Boston.
Taunton voters strongly approve casino proposal
The Taunton Gazette recently reported that after the ballots were tallied Saturday night, Taunton voters paved the way for a casino to come to town, a prospect that many city leaders say could revitalize the city’s slumping economy. Voters heading to the polls to weigh in on the nonbinding referendum endorsed the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe’s proposal to build a tribal casino in East Taunton, with 7,693 voting for the plan and 4,571 opposing it.
“We thank the people of the great city of Taunton for their support,” Mashpee Wampanoag Chairman Cedric Cromwell said in a statement. “We are overwhelmed by this resounding victory in Taunton, especially in comparison to the recent rejection of gaming in Foxboro and other neighboring communities. But let’s be clear, this is not just a victory for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe; this is a victory for the future of this city, for every person looking for a good job, and for the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts.” The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe announced in February that it is pursuing a destination resort casino in East Taunton and has acquired an option to purchase 146 acres in Liberty and Union Industrial Park. The Mashpee have not publicly ruled out acquiring additional land, including the nearby Silver City Galleria mall. The Mashpee Wampanoag propose to build their Taunton casino over a five-year period in phases at a cost of more than $500 million. They have said the project will include a 150,000-square-foot casino, restaurants, 10 to 15 retail shops, three 300-room hotels, an event center, a four-deck parking garage and a water park.
That's all for now. Have a Royal Weekend.
Binbin
