August 18

On Tuesday, the Narragansett Indian tribe stated that they asked Atty. General Patrick Lynch to review legalities of gambling at Lincoln Park and Newport Grand.

Lincoln Park has slot machines and a dog track. Newport Grand used to host Jai Alai and currently has slot machines.

The order comes just days after a Superior Court judge barred a casino question proposed by the tribe and Harrah's Entertainment Inc. from appearing on the November ballot. The judge said the question will most likely be declared unconstitutional if passed. The Rhode Island Constitution states that all lotteries must be operated by the state.

The Narragansetts had paired with Harrah's to build a casino in West Warwick. The ballot question was part of legislation passed by the General Assembly last month after a veto from Gov. Don Carcieri. 

Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas states that Lincoln Park and Newport Grand are not run by the state and therefore they are not legal. Thomas also stated that it was quite obvious to him that after listening to testimony regarding both sides over the past months that they, and not the state, are in fact the true and only operators of the two companies.

The governor's office does not agree with Thomas. Spokesman Jeff Neal said the state, through the Lottery Commission does control all of the games at the companies.

 Lynch's spokesman Mike Healey, says that the attorney general's office hasn't yet received a formal request from the tribe to look into the constitutionality of gambling at Newport Grand and Lincoln Park.

"We respond to specific complaints and issues and we take all of them very seriously," Healey said. "We haven't been given anything officially by Narragansetts."