State rep. proposes bill to allow Twin River to build hotel

(Updated 10:42 a.m. and 4 p.m.) LINCOLN – A state lawmaker from Lincoln has proposed a bill allowing the owners of Twin River Casino to build a hotel nearby.
Rep. Jeremiah T. O’Grady, D-Lincoln, submitted House Bill 5798 proposing to revise the act relating to Twin River Casino Gambling to allow a hotel and striking language dating back to 2005 that previously prohibited it. The bill also adds language that allows the Division of Lotteries to amend the master contract to remove the prohibition.
The new language specifies that construction be allowed “at or in close proximity to Lincoln Park” where the casino is located and “remain subject to all of the town of Lincoln’s land use regulations and ordinances.”
The bill retains language that had applied to the casino itself that prohibits marketing of the property for conventions or arts and theatrical events.
Other lawmakers that sponsored the bill include Rep. Mia A. Ackerman, D-Cumberland; and Reps. Stephen M. Casey, Michael A. Morin, and Robert D. Phillips, all Democrats representing Woonsocket. Phillips also represents Cumberland.
“The proposal rolled out before the Lincoln Town Council recently seemed like a reasonable request given the emergence of competition in Massachusetts that is on the very near horizon both geographically and time-frame-wise,” O’Grady said.
According to the General Assembly website, the bill has been forwarded to the House finance committee.

“We’re pleased that Rep O’Grady has introduced this legislation which, if passed, would remove the current prohibition to build a hotel at Twin River,” Twin River Spokeswoman Patti Doyle said. “We see this as a valuable amenity to offer to our patrons, many of whom have expressed an interest in playing, dining and then staying overnight with us. Right now, our customers have to travel to the Connecticut casinos to do just that.”

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