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August 7, 2006

Update: Judge will rule tomorrow on casino ballot question

PROVIDENCE -- A federal judge will decide tomorrow whether a proposal to amend the state Constitution to allow a casino in West Warwick will appear on the November ballot.

U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith heard arguments this afternoon from several lawyers, including the two partners in the proposal, the Narragansett Indians and Harrah's Entertainment. Attorneys for the town of Johnston and Ajax Gaming Ventures, which had ties to developer Donald Trump, alleged that Rhode Island lawmakers illegally gave Harrah’s a monopoly.

Smith suggested there would be no problem with the question if the tribe, as a political entity, would benefit from a casino. However, if tribal members would benefit solely by their ethnic or racial background, not as a sovereign nation, then the question would probably be unconstitutional under the equal protection clause.

Smith said he would issue his ruling by the close of business tomorrow, the day before the Secretary of State Office's deadline for printing the November ballots.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Scott Mayerowitz

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 3:32 PM | Permalink

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