Lawmakers Want Sports Betting in Rhode Island

Lawmakers Want Sports Betting in Rhode Island

Say revenue could help close massive budget gap
Updated: Wednesday, 18 Feb 2009, 6:42 PM EST
Published : Wednesday, 18 Feb 2009, 4:42 PM EST
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - As a way to balance the budget, two Rhode Island lawmakers want to bring sports betting to Rhode Island.
State Sen. John Tassoni (D-Smithfield) and State Rep. William San Bento (D-Pawtucket, North Providence) claim making it legal will generate millions of revenue for Rhode Island, which is struggling to close at $357 million deficit.
They have filed a bill with the General Assembly that would ask Congress to lift a federal ban.
Tassoni said in Las Vegas, where sports betting is legal, the 2006 Super Bowl alone generated $95 million in bets.
He also said organized crime members in Rhode Island have been cashing in for years with illegal bookmaking, and now it's time for Rhode Island to get a cut.
"That business is a $720 billion business. Why not give it to the states?" Tassoni said.
Tassoni said Twin River and Newport Grand, the state's two gaming facilities, would manage the bets; creating jobs and boosting tourism.
However, not all lawmakers on Smith Hill are buying the idea.
"A difficult economy creates a lot of bad ideas and this is just one," said State Rep. Robert Watson (R-East Greenwich) . "I would suppose 18-, 19-, 20-year-olds could stimulate the barroom economy if we lowered the drinking age."
Watson said the government doesn't need a new source of revenue, it needs to cut spending.
If the bill does make it through the State House, lawmakers in Washington would still need to take up the issue.
When asked, Rhode Island's Congressional delegation said they generally don't support sports betting as a revenue stream.


Lawmakers Want Sports Betting in Rhode Island