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September 20, 2006

Update: Casino rival Burke becomes Harrah's partner / Photos

Journal photo / Kathy Borchers
Restaurateur Robert Burke unveils the artist's rendering of the proposed Gateway Center during the press conference at his Federal Reserve restaurant.

PROVIDENCE -- Providence restaurant owner Robert I. Burke, formerly a staunch casino opponent, joined forces with Harrah's today, touting the plan to bring a casino to West Warwick as an opportunity to pump tourist dollars into the entire Rhode Island economy.

Today's event at Burke's Federal Reserve restaurant was aimed at publicizing a planned Gateway Center inside the casino that would promote Rhode Island businesses and tourist attractions in other parts of the state.

The center would be owned and operated by Burke, with no association with the state's visitor center, which does not endorse the casino.

The 1,000-square-foot center, to be located on the main floor near the front entrance, would offer casino goers plasma screens, voice-activated kiosks, and touch-screen displays that would link directly to Rhode Island restaurant and other destination Web sites. And Harrah's also plans to offer "reward point cards" on which gamblers earn points that could be used in businesses outside the casino.

Burke previously had testified at General Assembly hearings against the casino plan proposed by the Narragansett Indians in conjunction with Harrah's. He said he changed his mind after a series of discussions with Harrah's and the tribe.

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 2:31 PM | Permalink

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