Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

Rhode Island is among the largest racetrack casino markets in the country, according to a study released today by the American Gaming Association.

Rhode Island gambling facilities generated $407.5 million in gross "racino'' gaming revenues in fiscal 2008, according to association statistics compiled in its annual State of the States report on the gambling industry.

In one ranking -- "Providence, RI" -- placed third among individual communities with racetrack-casino combinations.

Racetrack-casino combinations are known as racinos. In some cases, the gambling is limited to slot machines, but many locations include table games such as blackjack, poker, and roulette. The report attributed $407.5 million in gross racino gaming revenue to Providence. Yonkers, N.Y., with $486.5 million, ranked first and Charles Town, W. Va., with $454 million, ranked second.

In the second ranking, Rhode Island -- with two "racetrack casinos" -- was the state with the fifth-largest gross racino gaming revenue, again with $407.5 million. The rankings make no mention of the separate Twin River or Newport Grand slot parlors, or their locations in Lincoln and Newport, respectively.

The fate of greyhound racing at Twin River is now the subject of political debate in the state as the financially troubled slot parlor seeks ways to cut costs and increase revenues.

 Tags  Newport Grand Rhode Island Twin River

Leave a comment

Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish.

Name:

Email:

URL:  

Remember personal info?

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.