Following a four and a half hour debate yesterday the Rhode Island House of Representatives approved legislation that could alter the constitution. The legislation, without amendments, now goes to the Senate, where a referendum on allowing the Narragansett tribe to open an Indian casino is likely to find favor. The House voted 44-28 for the legislation. The placing of the constitutional question on the ballot does not need approval from the Rhode Island Governor.

Rhode Island presently has two publicly run racetrack casinos, legalized in 1992, operating video lottery terminals, but no commercial or tribal casinos. The state made over US$250 million last year from its racinos, with the operator retaining 27.95%. Gross Racino Gaming Revenue was over US$410 million.

The Narragansett People trace their existence in Rhode Island for over 30,000 years, with the first documented evidence from 1524. The tribe received federal recognition in 1983. A 1975 land claim suit against the State of Rhode Island for the return of some 3,200 acres of undeveloped reservation lands was settled out of court in 1978 for approximately 1,800 acres.

The Narragansett have been petitioning to build a casino in West Warwick for eight years but two Supreme Court rulings have found that all lotteries, including casinos must be run by the state. The Narragansett want to operate privately with a chosen partner, and need the change in the constitution to do so. If the required legislation passes in the Senate then voters will be asked to decide. All tax proceeds from the casino would go to property tax relief. (E-05.26.06)

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