PROVIDENCE The R.I. House and Senate yesterday approved separate but identical measures allowing 24-hour weekend gambling at Twin River and Newport Grand.
The 24/3 legislation allows, but does not require, the two gambling venues to stay open around the clock on weekends and the nights before state and federal holidays. It also extends the closing deadline on other nights, permitting the establishments to remain open until 3 a.m.
Twin River now opens from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, while Newport Grands hours run from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. The institutions will be allowed to put the new hours into effect, if desired, as soon as the measures become law.
Although the bills are identical, however, each must still be passed by the other chamber before going to the governor for his signature. The House version (2008-H7040Aaa) was sponsored by Rep. William San Bento Jr., D-Pawtucket and North Providence, while the Senate version (2008-S2009Aaa) was sponsored by Sen. Paul E. Moura, D-East Providence.
The bills were introduced with the intent of raising more revenue for the state as it addresses a significant budget deficit this year and next, Larry Berman, spokesman for House Speaker Wiliam J. Murphy, noted in a statement yesterday. It is expected as was reported during House and Senate committee testimony on the bills that the extension of gaming hours could generate an additional $14.8 million annually for the state, $14.1 million of which will be designated for school funding.
Additional information on the R.I. General Assembly, including the House and Senate daily calendars and listings of measures introduced each day, is available at rilin.state.ri.us.
