PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island: One lawmaker in Rhode Island, William San Bento, is urging the rest of the State's legislation to think about placing the proposed Casino amendment measure at an earlier date. Currently, the measure is set to be on the November 6, 2012 ballot, but with Massachusetts legislation poised to allow gambling within their border Bento fears Rhode Island may miss the boat if they wait another year; other Rhode Island lawmakers do not share Bento's sense of urgency. Bento commented that if Massachusetts places a casino nearby, Rhode Island could lose out as their residents go across the border and take their money with them. Complete details have not been hammered out for the Rhode Island measure, it does not specify how much a potential casino would have to pay for a license to operate and studies that have been promised have yet to begin. But other lawmakers note that other issues are more pressing and the details will not be decided until the 2012 legislation session. It was also noted that if Massachusetts does enact their legislation, then Rhode Island could follow their example in fees and contracts.[1]
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