The Narragansett tribe of Rhode Island has taken its challenge of the state’s two slots parlors to the state Supreme Court.
The tribe argues that expanding gaming at the Twin River and New Grand casinos is unconstitutional because the law does not define what “state-operated” means. The tribe contends that the casinos are actually run by private companies, and therefore are not state-operated as defined by the constitution.
They also argue that the casinos constitute an illegal delegation of state power to a private company.
Chief Justice Paul Suttell during oral arguments appeared last week to side with the state when he commented, “It says the state will have full operational control to operate the forgoing facility, including without limitation, and then it lists various powers of the state through the lottery has. Isn’t that an indication that this has to be interpreted as giving full operational control to the state?”
The attorney for the tribe disagreed, saying it was easy to say that the state was in control, but added, “what does that mean?”
The court is expected to make a ruling sometime next year.
