§ 42-61.2-2.1. State authorized to operate casino gaming.
(a) State-operated casino gaming shall be authorized at the facility of the licensed video
lottery terminal retailer known as "Twin River� located in the town of Lincoln; provided,
that the requirements of R.I. Const., Art. VI, Sec. XXII are met with respect to said facility at the general election next held after enactment
of this section.
(1) With respect to the "Twin River� facility, the authorization of this section shall
be effective upon: (i) The certification by the secretary of state that the qualified
voters of the state have approved the expansion of gambling at such facility to include
casino gaming; and (ii) The certification by the board of canvassers of the town of
Lincoln that qualified electors of the town of Lincoln have approved the expansion
of gambling at such facility to include casino gaming.
(b) The general assembly finds that:
(1) The operation of casino gaming at Twin River will play a critical role in the economy
of the state and enhance state and local revenues;
(2) Pursuant to R.I. Const., Art. VI, Sec. XV and the specific powers, authorities, and safeguards set forth in subsection (c)
herein in connection with the operation of casino gaming, the state shall have full
operational control over the specified location at which casino gaming shall be conducted;
(3) It is in the best interest of the state to have the authorization to operate casino
gaming as specified at Twin River; and
(4) It is in the best interest of the state to conduct an extensive analysis and evaluation
of competitive casino gaming operations and thereafter for the general assembly to
enact comprehensive legislation during the 2012 legislative session to determine the
terms and conditions pursuant to which casino gaming would be operated in the state
if it is authorized as set forth herein.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law and pursuant to R.I. Const., Art. VI, Sec. XV, the state is authorized to operate, conduct, and control casino gaming at Twin River,
subject to subsection (a). In furtherance thereof, the state, through the division
of state lottery, shall have full operational control to operate the foregoing facility,
the authority to make all decisions about all aspects of the functioning of the business
enterprise, including, without limitation, the power and authority to:
(1) Determine the number, type, placement, and arrangement of casino gaming games, tables,
and sites within the facility;
(2) Establish, with respect to casino gaming, one or more systems for linking, tracking,
depositing, and reporting of receipts, audits, annual reports, prohibitive conduct,
and other such matters determined from time to time;
(3) Collect all receipts from casino gaming, require that Twin River collect casino gaming
gross receipts in trust for the state through the division of state lottery, deposit
such receipts into an account or accounts of its choice, allocate such receipts according
to law, and otherwise maintain custody and control over all casino gaming receipts
and funds;
(4) Hold and exercise sufficient powers over Twin River's accounting and finances to allow
for adequate oversight and verification of the financial aspects of casino gaming
at the facility, including, without limitation:
(i) The right to require Twin River to maintain an annual balance sheet, profit-and-loss
statement, and any other necessary information or reports; and
(ii) The authority and power to conduct periodic compliance or special or focused audits
of the information or reports provided, as well as the premises with the facility
containing records of casino gaming or in which the business of Twin River's casino
gaming operations are conducted;
(5) Monitor all casino gaming operations and have the power to terminate or suspend any
casino gaming activities in the event of an integrity concern or other threat to the
public trust, and in furtherance thereof, require the licensed video lottery retailer
to provide a specified area or areas from which to conduct such monitoring activities;
(6) Define and limit the rules of play and odds of authorized casino gaming games, including,
without limitation, the minimum and maximum wagers for each casino gaming game;
(7) Establish compulsive gambling treatment programs;
(8) Promulgate, or propose for promulgation, any legislative, interpretive, and procedural
rules necessary for the successful implementation, administration, and enforcement
of this chapter; and
(9) Hold all other powers necessary and proper to fully effectively execute and administer
the provisions of this chapter for its purpose of allowing the state to operate a
casino gaming facility through a licensed video lottery retailer hosting said casino
gaming on behalf of the State of Rhode Island.
(d) Subject to subsection (a), the state, through the division of state lottery, may expand
Twin River existing video lottery license issued, or issue Twin River a new casino
gaming license, to permit casino gaming to the extent authorized by this act.
(e) Subject to subsection (a), all rules and regulations shall be promulgated by the state,
through the division of state lottery, in accordance with the authority conferred
upon the general assembly pursuant to R.I. Const., Art. VI, Sec. XV. In accord therewith, subject to subsection (a), the state, through the division
of state lottery, shall have authority to issue such regulations as it deems appropriate
pertaining to control, operation and management of casino gaming as specifically set
forth in subsections (b) and (c) herein.
(f) The Rhode Island state police, through its gaming enforcement unit, shall have the
authority to monitor and investigate criminal violations related to casino gaming
activities consistent with chapter 61.3 of this title.
(g) The state, through the department of revenue, division of state lottery, and/or the
department of business regulation, shall have approval rights over matters relating
to the employment of individuals to be involved, directly or indirectly, with the
operation of casino gaming at Twin River.