Englanders make informed decisions during campaign 2012. tonight, we're taking an in-depth look at one of the seven ballot questions rhode island voters will face this election day. question one asks -- should "twin river" in lincoln be authorized to add state-operated casino gaming , such as table games, to the types of gambling it offers? eyewitness news reporter jennifer mobilia joins us live now to break down some of the pros and cons.
(j-mo) right now, the video slot machines at twin river are one of the state's top revenue generators -- but some fear that much needed cash flow could take a major hit, if rhode island doesn't keep up with the upcoming casino expansion in neighboring massachusetts. during the last fiscal year, the rhode island lottery contributed 377 million dollars to the state's general fund. a large majority of that money came from video slot revenue. but according to a study - commissioned by the rhode island department of revenue, that number could be cut by one hundred million dollars a year -- or more -- once massachusetts follows through with it's plans to open three new casinos, and one video slot parlor check this website. that's why twin river insists rhode island needs to beat massachusetts to the punch. Supporters say not only are millions of dollars on the line -- but also hundreds of jobs. 53:06 "the preservation of 900 existing jobs that we have here today at twin river and the creation of 650 new ones, 350 on property and 300 that will get created in the community." (j-mo) but, not everyone's on-board. The president of the group "citizens concerned about casino abuse" tells us he's concerned about where the money is coming from to pay for those jobs. "we'd like to see jobs that have more productivity to them. and when you talk about all these job, where does all that money come from to pay those people? it comes from the losses of other people." (j-mo) rhode island is in line to receive about 18- percent of all table game revenue from twin river if the casino expansion is approved. And the state will continue to get 61- percent of the money from the video slots. rhode island's other slot parlor -- newport grand -- is also seeking to add table games. that issue will be "question two" on the november ballot. jennifer mobilia, eyewitness news.
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