NarragansettIndianCasino.com

Narragansett Indian Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas, right, tries to hold back a Rhode Island State Police officer from entering the Narragansett Indian Smoke Shop in Charlestown, RI in what appears to be an assault on a state police officer. The police were attempting serve a court issued search warrant. The 1978 Indian Claims Settlement Act gave the Narragansett Indians 1800 acres, but bound them to RI state law. Rhode Island Governor Don Carcieri said that the Narragansett Indians were demanding that the Governor drop his opposition to a casino as a precondition to closing the allegedly illegal smoke shop.
(AP photo, used without permission under the doctrine of "fair use" --July 14, 2003).

Hello. This is a non-commercial website which exists to offer citizen commentary and public participation regarding the proposed Narragansett Indian Casino in the state of Rhode Island.

In our opinion, the proposed casino is a terrible idea, and here are some of the reasons and issues surrounding this problem:

FAT CATS WILL GET FATTER--We believe that the only beneficiaries of the Narragansett Indian casino would be a limited number of people, including the small Indian tribe and any large out of state corporate partners (such as Harrah's). The governor accurately described these casino proponents as "leeches" who are seeking to suck the lifeblood out of our state. How does the average citizen benefit from this proposal? We don't see it.
NO BID/ BACKROOM DEAL --The "main" proposal is to award the contract to Harrah's without competitive bidding. That is a big cause for concern. It smells of back room deal making, which runs contrary to the people's interests. So the people of our state get the best deal, we believe that the process of selecting a casino operator should be open, not a "no-bid" backroom bonanza for political insiders.
RAPING THE STATE CONSTITUTION --The Harrah's proposal also calls for amending the state constitution, fixing them as the operators, the "chosen partner" of the Narragansett Indians. NOT SO FAST! The constitution is a sacred document, which serves to benefit the public at large. Amending the state constitution for the benefit of one casino company is an unprecedented rape of the public trust. It appears to be unprecedented for any state to do this. It may be prima facie malfeasance by our General Assembly to cause this.
LEGISLATOR CONFLICTS OF INTEREST --The legislator proponents of this proposal may have severe conflicts of interest. Who do they really represent? One legislator proponent claimed he was doing this because "One of my constituents requested it." Hahahaha. These same legislators who claim to care about their constituents conveniently ignore 20,000 constituents who signed a petition for voter initiative. If you think they are being straight with the citizens, you need to open your eyes.
FALSE ADVERTISING? --Promises, promises, promises, promises, PROMISES!! Consider some of the absolutely WILD promises being made by the casino proponents, one of which is for "property tax relief". The number being advertised is "$144 million in property tax relief." What basis is there for this absurd promise? What guarantee is there that this money will materialize, or even, that it will be paid to benefit the taxpayers in the manner ballyhooed? Hahahahaha, are you kidding?! Billboard ads also promise "3 million tourists a year." Hmmm. Are gamblers really "tourists" who come and linger in our state, or are they just "drive-bys" who go to the casino, lose their money, and then go home? These ads play us for stupid. Read about the "Mayor of Ledyard's" experience, below. The most ridiculous ad? The one saying that "insiders" favor the rejecting the casino proposal. You don't get people any further "inside" the statehouse than the proponents of this proposal.
VIOLATION OF COMMISSION FINDINGS --The Harrah's proposal seems to violate the findings/ recommendations of the RI House Gaming Commission study, which advocated an open process including open bidding. Why are the state government's own findings/ recommendations being disregarded?
CANNIBALIZATION OF EXISTING REVENUE --The proposed Narragansett Indian casino may cannibalize revenue from the existing Newport and Lincoln gambling facilities. To make matters worse, the new casino may pay a lower percentage tax to the state of Rhode Island. This could mean a LOSS of state revenue and therefore higher taxes, not lower ones.
INDEMNIFICATION TO EXISTING GAMBLING VENUES --If there is a loss of revenue at Lincoln or Newport because of the Narragansett Indian casino, the taxpayers may be on the hook for the shortfall to the owners of those facilities. This was also, ultimately, a result bad government; when Wembley officials were indicted (and then later convicted) for trying to bribe RI House Speaker John Harwood, it raised the specter of a felon running a gambling facility, which might have led to a shutdown of Lincoln and devastating loss of tax revenue. The state needed to guarantee revenue to attract a new owner for Lincoln. Again, this indemnification may mean higher taxes for RI taxpayers if a competing facility is approved. See the below article about the "Slippage Clause" for more info.
QUESTIONABLE PRINCIPALS --Given the scuffle depicted above, and other mismanagement questions such as alleged unaccounted money involving a failed housing project that received government grants, it appears the Narragansett tribe is beset with particularly bad leadership, and thus a poor candidate for trust of any sort, in our opinion.
ARE THE NARRAGANSETT INDIANS LICENSABLE? --Are the Narragansett Indians licensable as casino operators? Casino licensing agencies such as the Nevada Gaming Commission typically do background investigations on casino operators to determine if they are suitable casino owners. Some things they look at are whether the applicants are convicted felons, have committed frauds, or associate with organized crime figures. Has such a background investigation been done on the Narragansett Indians --and what are the results?
FALSE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT --It is a joke to say that casinos are a form of economic development! Most casinos create only menial jobs and pay only modest hourly wages. Knowledgeable academics and sources in the gaming field have claimed that casinos are an economic negative, as individuals and communities quietly suffer the off balance sheet losses. All too often, gambling attracts the very customers who can least afford its devastating losses. Many states with casinos still have large financial problems, despite the gambling revenue and taxes.
FEEDS GAMBLING ADDICTION --Casinos may be bad public policy, in that they encourage personal debt, create desperate financial circumstance for individuals, break apart families, and feed gambling addictions. We believe that a casino would increase crime and problem gambling. There have been numerous instances of casino problems nationwide including: bankruptcies, credit card fraud, robberies, even young children locked in cars in casino parking lots.
RACIST PUBLIC POLICY --We believe that Indian Casinos, in particular, are bad public policy, in that they award benefits based on race and ethnicity, and may violate the US Constitution and other laws.
CONGESTION --We believe that a Rhode Island casino would increase congestion in our small state. Due to happenstance of geography, as the smallest state in the union, Rhode Island is uniquely unsuited for a casino. The entire state of Rhode Island is smaller than some Indian reservations in the Western US. Presumably, this is one of the reasons that RI was exempted under the IGRA, as amended.
STRAYING FROM THE RESERVATION --The Narragansett casino is proposed to be built in West Warwick, RI --but the actual Narragansett Indian reservation is physically located in Charlestown, RI; this discrepancy is no small crack in a "sovereignty" argument, it is a hole through which you could fly a 747. Perhaps this crazy ill-conceived scheme is to circumvent strong local opposition in the town of Charlestown. Or, perhaps the proposed location of the facility in West Warwick is to end run the federal prohibition under the IGRA. See "Hastert letter" below.
IGRA --The proposed Narragansett Casino may violate the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), as amended in 1996, which specifically exempts the Narragansett tribe, denying the right to operate a Rhode Island indian casino.
BAD VALUES --Gambling teaches bad values to children, and perpetuates a "something for nothing" attitude. We do not think highly of lotteries or dog tracks either. Despite slick marketing by some agencies/ gambling organizations --gambling is not a chance at a dream --it is almost certainly wasted money. Consumer gambling is most definitely NOT an investment, but that is almost how some marketing spinmeisters portray it. It is especially inappropriate in suburban Rhode Island.
SMOKE SHOP STRONG-ARMING --The allegedly illegal smoke shop from 2003 seemed to violate the Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1978, which bound the Narragansett Indians to Rhode Island law. Did the Narragansett Indians go back on their word? Did they renege on a treaty? How could their demands to the Governor --that he back their casino in order for them to close the illegal smoke shop-- be viewed as anything but extortion?

So, what's REALLY going on here?

It's a money grab! A very very VERY big money grab by the fat cats in our state.

The taxpayers are being duped by white guilt, slick lobbyists, pandering lawyers, weak/ conflicted legislators, and by phony "economic development" which will really just line a few pockets and burden local communities with numerous problems.

The proposed casino is the worst of the old Rhode Island: backroom cigar politics, special interest strongarming, and gobs of money at stake. Once again, Rhode Island is tarnished; Rhode Island is once again scrounging around for a quick and easy solution to budget problems --like a heroin addict grabbing for a fix of dope-- all the while avoiding good planning and real economic development to transform itself to the highest and best use through its obvious world class resources.

Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri is a very good leader, but he is up against treacherous foes. In the smoke shop fiasco, Narragansett Indians appeared to be dishonorable, reneging on the 1978 agreement which obligated them to comply with RI laws.

Casinos belong in gambling meccas such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City --not in suburban America.

The proposed Narragansett Indian Casino is a bad deal for our state. It is an insanely bad deal !

Despite the slick ads, there is very little in this deal for the people of our state, and the potential downside is HUGE. Currently there is a very limited upside, and a horrific downside. The taxpayers are already committed to indemnifying Lincoln and Newport.

So, here are a few of the possibilities. Consider these outcomes:

A. The Narragansett Indian Casino is a huge success, and drains the lifeblood out of Lincoln and Newport. The RI taxpayers may have to cough up hundreds of millions of dollars in "slippage fees." Harrah's gets richer.

B. The Narragansett Indian Casino is a huge success, and Lincoln and Newport only suffer mildly. We get lots of congestion, problem gambling, and more dependence on gambling revenue. Oh, goodie, we also get a bunch of temporary construction jobs, and many permanent menial hourly jobs. Do the tax revenues offset the problems created? Who knows? Lincoln gets a guarantee. What kind of guarantee do the taxpayers get? Hahahaha. Harrah's gets richer.

C. The Narragansett Indian Casino is a failure. It doesn't produce the revenue or taxes forecast. Harrah's AND the state fail to make any money. How does anybody win?

In virtually all scenarios, the taxpayers lose!

Do you trust the RI General Asseembly to iron out the details? Are you nuts!?

Interesting articles about the proposed RI casino:

NEW! No question, casino rejected --November 8, 2006. From the Providence Journal. Rep. Nicholas Gorham, R-Coventry, a casino opponent, had a more blunt assessment. "People just didn't trust the General Assembly to do the right thing," Gorham said.
Connecticut Rolled The Dice --October 30, 2006. From the Kent County Times.
Senate president welcomes FBI probe of W. Warwick work --October 25, 2006. From The Providence Journal.
FBI Gets West Warwick papers --October 23, 2006. From The Providence Journal.
We owe the Narragansetts nothing --October 22, 2006. From The Providence Journal.
FBI grabs Montalbano records in W.W. --October 20, 2006. From the Kent County Times. Possible conflict of interest of elected official.
Letter: Chief Thomas Speaks With "Forked Tongue" --October 3, 2006. Letter in the Warwick Beacon.
Casino deal threatens taxpayers --October 2, 2006. From The Providence Journal.
Carol A. Mumford: Casino the worst business deal for R.I. --September 29, 2006. Letter in The Providence Journal.
Safety net for current slot halls: Taxpayers --September 14, 2006. From The Providence Journal. "Slippage clause" could make taxpayers liable for shortfalls.
Who should set terms of casino deal? --May 14, 2006. From The Providence Journal.
Casino should be subject to competitive bidding --May 10, 2006. From The Kent County Times.
Of the people, by the people and for Harrah's casino? --May 6, 2006. From The Kent County Times.
Rhode Island: a state for sale --May 4, 2006. From The Kent County Times. "This is NOT a vote for a casino. This is a potential vote to change the Constitution of the State of Rhode Island for a profit-making, single corporation, with the payback ratio actually written into the wording of the bill. This has got to be the first time in modern times that a state Constitution anywhere in the country has been raped and destroyed for the sake of a single company."
Raptakis wants Harrah's to take position on bidding --May 1, 2006. From The Kent County Times. "Raptakis pointed out ... that 'apparently, Harrah's is willing and believes in bidding in all the other states, but not Rhode Island.' "
Hal Meyer: Casino Proponents will Stop at Nothing --March 24, 2006. From Hal Meyer, The Citizen Critic.
Casino backers tout millions in property-tax aid --March 24, 2006. From The Providence Journal.
Former foe of casinos now works for Harrah's --March 3, 2006. From The Providence Journal.
Tribal membership disputed --February 26, 2006. From The Providence Journal. "About 30 people protest outside a Narragansett Tribal Council meeting, calling the leadership a 'dictatorship' for ejecting some people from the tribe."
Casino backers won't release full poll results --February 2, 2006. From The Providence Journal. More hiding? More manipulation?
Edward Achorn: Harrah's takes aim at separation of powers --January 24, 2006. From The Providence Journal. "With stunning indifference to the good of the Ocean State, Harrah's last week backed a plan by Rep. Timothy Williamson (D.-West Warwick) that would undermine the landmark reform known as separation of powers, passed just two years ago by more than 78 percent of Rhode Island voters."
Constitutional change to allow casino no sure bet --January 22, 2006. From The Providence Journal.
Some lawmakers appear wary of casino constitutional amendment --January 22, 2006. From Boston.com
Thomas Grey: Indian casinos, etc. -- Free America from gambling corruption --January 20, 2006. From The Providence Journal.
Casino allies push for ballot question --January 13, 2006. From The Providence Journal. "...Harrah's, now the largest gambling company in the world, has hired Conley -- and paid him a $50,000 retainer -- to help craft the proposed ballot question and shape opinion about it."
Harrah's threatens suit over Carcieri comments --September 22, 2004. From The Providence Journal. Is Harrah's a bunch of scumbags?
Video slots are condemned at anti-gambling conference --September 18, 2004. From The Providence Journal. "..the most addicting form of gambling known to man." The governor says, "Casinos create wastelands around them."
Casino in West Warwick is Bad News for The State --June 24, 2004. From East Bay Newspapers. The executive director of the Kay Coalition speaks out.
Harrah's Casino Plan is Unconstitutional --July 12, 2004. From the Providence Journal.
Casinos A Drain on Profits --July 2, 2004. From the SC Independent.
Smoke-shop ruling a victory for state --December 29, 2003. From the Providence Journal.
Failed Wetuomuck Housing Project --July 25, 2003. From the Providence Journal. Government grants. Unaccounted money/ mis-management.

Interesting articles about gambling

Casinos and Crime: the Luck Runs Out --May 10, 2006. From the Washington Post. "Crime began to rise after the first year, slowly at first and then more quickly, until it had far surpassed what it would have been if the casino had never opened. By the fifth year of operation, robberies were up 136 percent; aggravated assaults, 91 percent; auto theft, 78 percent; burglary, 50 percent; larceny, 38 percent; and rape, 21 percent."
A LOSING HAND --May 8, 2005. From Courant.com. "In 2003 and 2004, Foxwoods was listed as a creditor in 16 foreclosures.." Jobs? Sure there are jobs from casinos.. low paying jobs.
RAW DEAL: Measuring the toll of Connecticut's Casinos --May 1, 2005. From Courant.com. Embezzlements, bankruptcies, divorces, bank robberies, suicides --all common documented results of problem gambling.
Focus on The Family Position Statement on Gambling --March 12, 2004. From Focus On The Family.
Mayor of Ledyard: "I've become very cynical.." --October 2, 2003. From Seacoast Online.
Hastert letter --June 10, 2003. Addressed to Gale Norton regarding off reservation Indian casinos.
Program helps problem gamblers recover --July 27, 2001. From Business First of Buffalo. "A report conducted for the National Gambling Impact Study Commission in 1999 found that 2 million adults in America are pathological gamblers and another 3 million are considered problem gamblers. The availability of a casino within 50 miles could double the prevalence of problem and pathological gamblers, program officials say. The report also found that pathological and problem gamblers in the United States cost society about $5 billion per year and another $40 billion in lifetime costs for productivity reductions, social services and creditor losses. In addition, since gamblers have higher rates of job loss, employers incur additional search and training costs for replacements as a result."
Wheel Of Misfortune --From TIME magazine. "Casinos were supposed to make Indian tribes self-sufficient. So why are the white backers of Indian gambling raking in millions while many tribes continue to struggle in poverty?"

Commission Reports, Studies

NEW! RIPEC Releases Report on the Impact of a Harrah's Casino on State Gaming Revenues [.PDF]--RIPEC says the state would lose $1.1 billion in the first decade of operation. Report also says that the claimed amount of $144 million in tax relief is unrealistic.
Rhode Island Special House Commission to Study Gambling --April 1, 2003. Read the "Over-Arching Finding" on page 9 which recommends that the referendum should be held BEFORE selecting a specific casino proposal. Is this protocol being followed? Why not?
National Gambling Impact Study Commission --August 3, 1999.

Groups Opposing or Monitoring the Narragansett Casino

NEW! Save Our State --Main casino opposition group in the state.
NEW! West Warwick Citizens Against The Casino --Local casino opposition group.
RISC -The Rhode Island Shoreline Coalition.
LookOut RI --Another vocal casino critic.
RI Governor Don Carcieri -Also opposes the casino.
Bright Side West Warwick -Blog

Out of State Anti-Casino Groups

NCALG -National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling.
The Connecticut Alliance Against Casino Expansion - In the neighboring state, Connecticut.
No Casino Gettysburg

Casino Proponents

Keep It In RI --A front group for Harrah's. Virtually all of the money is provided by Harrah's.
Tim Williamson Sucks .com --This guy is wearing alot of hats.
Alves Sucks .com --Senate sponsor of the casino amendment.

We welcome your input.

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