Providence Journal – The owners of the private Twin River casino are seeking legislative permission to give up to $75,000 in “interest-free, unsecured credit” on state-sponsored gambling. The bill was introduced last Thursday by new House Finance Chairman Raymond Gallison, D-Bristol. It has not yet been scheduled for a hearing, but came to light on the same day the House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a hearing on a second, tangential bill to protect unlucky gamblers from having a Rhode Island place a lien on their property for an unpaid gambling debt.
The preamble to the bill allowing Twin River to extend credit says: “It is imperative that legislative action be taken to preserve and protect the state’s ability to maximize revenues at Twin River in an increasingly competitive gaming market by expanding critical revenue-driving programs.
“The extension of credit to table game and video lottery players …is a vital customer service function that facilitates a gaming program’s long-term success.” There was no immediate comment from the Lottery, which runs the state-sponsored gambling at Twin River, on the rationale for the move and when – and by whom – the decision was made. The Lottery is an arm of Governor Chafee’s administration.
In response to an inquiry, Twin River spokeswoman Patti Doyle said: ”Twin River has never to date extended credit. It is a service we would like to offer to qualified patrons as a convenience and amenity.
“Extending credit to pre-approved customers is a standard practice within the casino industry, including our Connecticut competitors and ultimately Massachusetts casinos once they go live….[But] customers desiring credit would be subject to rigorous background and credit checks undertaken by Twin River management with supervision of and approval by the Division of Lotteries.”
