RI: looks to up the ante if MA goes forward with casinos

From the Providence Journal:

Anything other than a “No gambling” from Patrick will cut into revenues at Twin River and Newport Grand, observers say, though they differ on just how much, or how soon, the effects will be felt at the two video-slot parlors.

“We were always in a race with Massachusetts,” said Rep. Timothy A. Williamson, whose district covers West Warwick. “We always knew that if Massachusetts got ahead of us, we’d be in trouble.

...But [Steven] Costantino, the House Finance chairman, said he wants to make sure Twin River and Newport Grand are “as competitive as possible” heading into the possible storm. That could mean such steps as allowing 24-hour gambling, a revenue-raising idea the General Assembly rejected this summer, and the introduction of virtual blackjack.

The decision will also have ripples in New Hampshire.