Officials Move to Block Harrah's Casino Vote

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – As reported by the Associated Press: "Within hours of the Rhode Island Supreme Court's advisory opinion Thursday that a planned casino referendum is unconstitutional, Attorney General Patrick Lynch and Gov. Don Carcieri filed a motion in Superior Court to prevent the question from being considered by voters.

"The opinion that legislation passed by the General Assembly including the West Warwick casino question is unconstitutional does not automatically remove the casino question from the November ballot.

"Carcieri, an ardent opponent of casino gambling, had sought the advisory opinion last month after vetoing 'The Rhode Island Gaming Control and Revenue Act' on grounds that it violated state law.

"…The ballot question would ask voters, 'Shall there be a casino in the town of West Warwick operated by an affiliate of Harrah's Entertainment in association with the Narragansett Indian tribe?'

"In its 21-page opinion, the Supreme Court concluded that the question was unconstitutional because it asks residents to approve an operation forbidden under state law.

"…While the justices didn't weigh the merits of a casino -- Carcieri argues it won't provide any economic or social benefits -- they did consider the implications of presenting voters with a ballot question they deemed violates state law…"