LINCOLN, R.I. (WPRI) - Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee said Tuesday he would not object to the expansion of Twin River in Lincoln from a video slot parlor to a full-scale casino.
Twin River's owners released a new economic impact study Tuesday that claims the addition of table games could create up to 650 new jobs and bring in up to $60 million in new revenue for the state and the
Eyewitness News tracked down Governor Lincoln Chafee Tuesday to ask his opinion of the proposed expansion.
"I don't go the Twin River myself but having toured it, when you see the acres of machines in there, you think what's the difference between live tables and what's here? So I don't think it's a significant change from what exists there."
The governor tells us that any addition money brought in by Twin River could be helpful for the state's struggling economy.
"Twin River is a revenue source for Rhode Island so you have to, with any organization, stay in the forefront of what's happening in the industry."
Governor Chafee's nominee to chair the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education, George Caruolo, is also a lobbyist for Twin River. The governor, however, says he sees no confict of interest.
"I don't see any conflict between what's happening at Twin River and what's happening in elementary and secondary schools. I don't see a conflict there. If one arises we'll certainly address it."
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