Rhode Island Committee: Harrah's Offer Not Best

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – As reported by the Providence Journal: "After sitting through three days of marathon hearings on the proposed West Warwick casino, a majority of House Finance Committee members say they are not convinced that Harrah's Entertainment has given the state its best offer.

"Even if the offer improves, at least half say they are not convinced the state would come out a winner.

"…Told yesterday what the lawmakers said, Harrah's Vice President Jan Jones said: 'There isn't a lot more that can be offered.'

"…Of the six committee members who voted against that bill, only two -- Representatives Christine H. Callahan, R-Middletown, and Carol A. Mumford, R-Scituate -- said they could not envision any circumstance in which they would vote to allow the referendum.

"The other four said they are still undecided on how to vote on the seemingly much simpler question they face this year: whether to allow a November referendum on the West Warwick proposal after hammering out terms such as tax rates, minimum revenue guarantees and possibly a share for the cities and towns.

"But they remain among the deepest skeptics of Harrah's promise that the new casino would provide at least $100 million in new gambling revenue for the state, without seriously damaging the thriving video-slot business at Lincoln Park and Newport Grand that is expected to generate $250 million for the state next year…"