Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo’s recent decision to award a 20-year, no-bid contract to IGT to run the Rhode Island Lottery is coming under increasing criticism. That opens the possibility that the legislature might not approve the deal, and other potential bidders are expressing interest.
Raimondo has been under pressure for the no-bid process, which immediately drew fire from Twin River Management Group.
Camelot Lottery Solutions and Twin River World Holdings, which operates the state’s two casinos have formed a partnership and expressed an interest in bidding for the contract. Camelot CEO Wayne Pickup and Twin River Rhode Island President Marc Crisafulli wrote to the governor and legislative leaders saying they want to bid.
Twin River has offered to bid $500 million for a 12-year contract—half of what IGT proposed for 20 years. It would also limit the percentage of machines provided by any one slots company to 50 percent, instead of the 85 percent which IGT requires.
Twin River would also commit to building a 50,000-square-foot lottery headquarters and invest $50 million in the two casinos.
Raimondo has called the idea “risky” because running the lottery is not Twin River’s primary business.
The IGT contract will come before the legislature this month. IGT Senior Vice President Robert Vincent told the Providence Journal that the new partnership is an attempt to distract lawmakers.
