Harrah's, tribe talk about fight for casino

September 1

In Rhode Island, the Narragansett Indian Tribe and Harrah's Entertainment are talking over plans for future ideas to construct a casino in West Warwick, after this year's project was stalled by the courts and an adverse reaction from the attorney general's office.

Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas stated the tribe would give a new a proposal in the next legislative session, beginning January, also noting that they would take steps to construct a casino on the tribe's land.

By law, the Narragansetts are prohibited to start building a casino on their property in Charlestown, it is also noted that Thomas mentioned that the tribe would approach the federal government to try to change the statute.

In this year's session, lawmakers passed gambling legislation that included a ballot question asking voters whether Harrah's, in association with the tribe, could construct a casino in West Warwick.

The measure was stopped from going on the ballot, after Gov. Don Carcieri asked an advisory opinion from the Supreme Court on its constitutionality. The high court stated the legislation, and the question, violated state law, as gambling facilities can only be state-operated, according to the constitution.

Later, Secretary of State Matt Brown was told by a judge that he could not place the referendum question on the ballot due to the fact that voters should not have to consider a question that would probably be ruled unconstitutional, if passed.

Any expansion of gambling in the state of Rhode Island requires voter approval.

The Narragansetts gave up their efforts for this year, but they also state that they would continue to pursue projects they say would bring the tribe much needed revenue.