House, Senate OK bills permitting 24-hour gaming

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island House and Senate have approved separate but identical measures allowing 24-hour weekend gambling at Twin River and Newport Grand.
The “24/3” legislation approved last week allows, but does not require, the two gambling venues to stay open around the clock on weekends and the nights before state and federal holidays. It also extends the closing deadline on other nights, permitting the establishments to remain open until 3 a.m.
Twin River now opens from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, while Newport Grand’s hours run from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. The institutions will be allowed to put the new hours into effect, if desired, as soon as the proposal become law.
The Senate last week approved the House version, which was sent to Gov. Donald L. Carcieri, who has expressed reservations about the proposal. The House version (2008-H7040Aaa) was sponsored by Rep. William San Bento Jr., D-Pawtucket and North Providence, while the Senate version (2008-S2009Aaa) was sponsored by Sen. Paul E. Moura, D-East Providence.
“The bills were introduced with the intent of raising more revenue for the state as it addresses a significant budget deficit this year and next,” Larry Berman, spokesman for House Speaker William J. Murphy, noted in a statement. &#8226