John E. Taylor, chairman of Twin River Worldwide Holdings, plans to build a slots parlor in Tiverton on the same scale as the Newport Grand that it will replace.
Taylor says moving the casino from Newport, where support is lacking for adding gaming tables, to Tiverton, would make it more competitive, especially against casinos that will soon come on line in neighboring Massachusetts. The parcel where Taylor wants to build is less than 400 feet from Rhode Island’s border with the Bay State.
It would have about 1,100 slot machines, plus blackjack, craps and roulette. Taylor projects that the casino would pay the state about $4 million a year in taxes.
Twin River Worldwide Holdings is in the process of purchasing the Newport Grand. It awaits regulatory approval for the sale from the state. The legislature and the people of Tiverton would also need to approve of the move.
