Harrah's Offers Rhode Island Town $15 Million Annually for Casino Rights
"The draft shows that Harrah's Entertainment would pay West Warwick $13 million in the first year, $14 million in year two, and $15 million in the third year and every year thereafter. The money would come from 2 percent of the casino's adjusted gambling revenue, plus commercial property taxes it would pay the town, according to the draft agreement obtained by The Providence Journal from Mark Fleury, the one councilman to vote against the casino.
"The casino is a partnership between Las Vegas-based Harrah's and the Narragansett Indian Tribe. The General Assembly has voted to put the question before voters this November, but it's being challenged in the courts by the governor and others opposed to another casino in Rhode Island.
"...The proposed $15 million annual payment is about one-fifth of West Warwick's current operating budget..."