Rhode Island legislative authorities recently legalized the installation and operation of approximately 2,550 new slot machines in two local gaming venues, the Lincoln Park dog track and a Newport gaming facility.
The reason behind the legislative approval of slots expansion in the state is the fact that the Rhode Island government seeks to protect tax money generated by slots players coming from Massachusetts, in case Massachusetts decides to legalize gambling.
Besides the additional slot machines, the aforementioned gaming venues are also reportedly planning renovations that would cost them about $150 million. According to Clyde Barrow, a University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth public policy professor, the number of slots in Rhode Island will be tripled.
