§ 42-61.2-2.3. State authorized to operate casino gaming in Tiverton. (a) State-operated casino gaming shall be authorized at the Tiverton facility of Twin River-Tiverton, a licensed, video-lottery retailer, which facility is located in the town of Tiverton at the intersection of William S. Canning Boulevard and Stafford Road, provided that the requirements of R.I. Const., Art. VI, Sec. XXII are met with respect to said facility, namely that:

(1) The secretary of state certifies that the qualified voters of the state have approved authorizing a facility owned by Twin River-Tiverton located at the intersection of William S. Canning Boulevard and Stafford Road in the town of Tiverton to be licensed as a pari-mutuel facility and offer state-operated video-lottery games and state-operated casino gaming, such as table games;

(2) The board of canvassers of the town of Tiverton certifies (or there is certified on its behalf) that the qualified electors of the town of Tiverton have approved authorizing a facility owned by Twin River-Tiverton and located at the intersection of William S. Canning Boulevard and Stafford Road in the town of Tiverton to be licensed as a pari-mutuel facility and offer state-operated video lottery games and state-operated casino gaming, such as table games; and

(3) The department of business regulation, division of gaming and athletics licensing, issues to Twin River-Tiverton a license as a pari-mutuel facility, and the department of revenue, state lottery division issues to Twin River-Tiverton a license to offer state-operated video lottery games and a license to offer state-operated casino gaming, such as table games.

(b) With respect to the facility owned by Twin River-Tiverton located at the intersection of William S. Canning Boulevard and Stafford Road in the town of Tiverton, the authorization of this section shall be effective upon the requirements set forth in subsection (a) of this section having been met with respect to such facility.

(c) The general assembly finds that:

(1) The operation of casino gaming in the town of Tiverton will play a critical role in the economy of the state and enhance state and local revenues;

(2) Replacing the state-operated gaming facility in the city of Newport with a state-operated gaming facility in the town of Tiverton is desirable to maximize state and local revenues;

(3) Pursuant to R.I. Const., Art. VI, Sec. XV and the specific powers, authorities and safeguards set forth in subsection (d) of this section in connection with the operation of casino gaming, the state shall have full operational control over casino gaming at the specified location in the town of Tiverton; and

(4) It is in the best interest of the state to have the authorization to operate casino gaming as specified in the town of Tiverton.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law and pursuant to R.I. Const., Art. VI, Sec. XV, the state is authorized to operate, conduct and control casino gaming at the facility of Twin River-Tiverton located in the town of Tiverton at the intersection of William S. Canning Boulevard and Stafford Road, subject to the provisions of subsection (a). In furtherance thereof, the state, through the division of state lottery, shall have full operational control to operate the foregoing facility, the authority to make all decisions about all aspects of the functioning of the business enterprise, including, without limitation, the power and authority to:

(1) Determine the number, type, placement, and arrangement of casino gaming games, tables and sites within the facility;

(2) Establish with respect to casino gaming one or more systems for linking, tracking, deposit, and reporting of receipts, audits, annual reports, prohibitive conduct, and other such matters determined from time to time;

(3) Collect all receipts from casino gaming, require that Twin River-Tiverton collect casino gaming gross receipts in trust for the state through the division of state lottery, deposit such receipts into an account or accounts of its choice, allocate such receipts according to law, and otherwise maintain custody and control over all casino gaming receipts and funds;

(4) Hold and exercise sufficient powers over Twin River-Tiverton's accounting and finances to allow for adequate oversight and verification of the financial aspects of casino gaming at the facility, including, without limitation:

(i) The right to require Twin River-Tiverton to maintain an annual balance sheet, profit-and-loss statement, and any other necessary information or reports; and

(ii) The authority and power to conduct periodic compliance or special or focused audits of the information or reports provided, as well as the premises with the facility containing records of casino gaming or in which the business of Twin River-Tiverton's casino gaming activities are conducted;

(5) Monitor all casino gaming operations and have the power to terminate or suspend any casino gaming activities in the event of an integrity concern or other threat to the public trust and in furtherance thereof, require Twin River-Tiverton to provide a specified area or areas from which to conduct such monitoring activities;

(6) Define and limit the rules of play and odds of authorized casino gaming games, including, without limitation, the minimum and maximum wagers for each casino gaming game;

(7) Establish compulsive gambling treatment programs;

(8) Promulgate, or propose for promulgation, any legislative, interpretive, and procedural rules necessary for the successful implementation, administration, and enforcement of this chapter; and

(9) Hold all other powers necessary and proper to fully effectively execute and administer the provisions of this chapter for its purpose of allowing the state to operate a casino gaming facility through a licensed, video-lottery retailer hosting said casino gaming on behalf of the state of Rhode Island.

(e) The state, through the department of revenue, division of state lottery, and/or the department of business regulation, shall have approval rights over matters relating to the employment of individuals to be involved, directly or indirectly, with the operation of casino gaming in the town of Tiverton.

(f) Subject to subsection (a), the state, through the division of state lottery, may issue Twin River-Tiverton new video lottery and casino gaming licenses to permit video lottery and casino gaming to the extent authorized by this chapter 61.2 of this title.

(g) Subject to subsection (a), all rules and regulations shall be promulgated by the state, through the division of state lottery, in accordance with the authority conferred upon the general assembly pursuant to R.I. Const., Art. VI, Sec. XV. In accordance therewith, subject to subsection (a), the state, through the division of state lottery, shall have authority to issue such regulations as it deems appropriate pertaining to control, operation and management of casino gaming as specifically set forth in subsections (b), (c) and (d).

(h) The Rhode Island state police through its gaming enforcement unit shall have the authority to monitor and investigate criminal violations related to casino gaming activities consistent with chapter 61.3 of this title.

(i) Notwithstanding any law or regulation to the contrary, Twin River-Tiverton shall not commence video lottery or casino gaming activities prior to the completion, by the department of transportation, of the already planned roundabout, DOT project #0103S, and funds for such project shall be allocated such that the project is scheduled to be completed, and is completed, by July 1, 2018.

History of Section. (P.L. 2016, ch. 5, § 3; P.L. 2016, ch. 6, § 3.)