PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – The Newport Grand is asking Rhode Island for permission to keep a greater percentage of gambling proceeds after voters rejected the slot parlor’s bid to become a full-fledged casino.
State Rep. Marvin Abney said Thursday that he will sponsor legislation to temporarily increase Newport Grand’s cut from just under 28 percent to 31 percent to raise $1.5 million for the facility. After two years the size of the cut would revert to the present rate.
The Newport Democrat says he has constituents who will lose their jobs if Newport Grand closes.
Last fall local voters rejected Newport Grand’s request to offer games like blackjack. A similar proposal for the Twin River slot parlor in Lincoln was approved.
Abney’s legislation was first reported by The Providence Journal.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
