2012 -- S 3069

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LC02846

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND DIVISION OF LOTTERY TO

WORK WITH TECHNOLOGY PROVIDERS AND CENTRAL COMPUTER SYSTEM

PROVIDER TO ADDRESS THE APPLICATION OF THE PROMOTIONAL POINTS

PROGRAM AND TO REPORT BACK TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

     Introduced By: Senator Maryellen Goodwin

     Date Introduced: June 12, 2012

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, According to a study commissioned by the Rhode Island Department of

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Revenue, Christiansen Capital Advisors, LLC, anticipated competition from gaming facilities

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recently authorized in Massachusetts could have a 25-40 percent negative impact on state

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revenues generated from state-operated gaming in Rhode Island; and

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     WHEREAS, Competition from gaming facilities in Massachusetts present an imminent

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threat to state-operated gaming and in Rhode Island, which constitutes the third largest source of

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revenue to the state; and

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     WHEREAS, A substantial portion of state gaming revenue is generated from

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Massachusetts residents; and

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     WHEREAS, There is a need to safeguard the state’s ability to maximize revenues at

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Twin River and Newport Grand in an increasingly competitive gaming market; and

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     WHEREAS, It is in the state’s interest to ensure the two Rhode Island gaming facilities

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and the related gaming industries successfully compete in a more competitive marketplace;

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     WHEREAS, Part of the strategy to protect and maximize gaming revenue is to build on

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recent success in revenue-driving techniques, such as promotional points programs, to position

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gaming programs for long-term success while honoring preexisting contractual rights, if

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applicable; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence

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Plantations hereby requests the Rhode Island Division of Lottery to work with technology

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providers and central computer system provider to address the application of the promotional

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points program or otherwise, at the Division’s discretion, to ensure the Rhode Island gaming

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industry and its technology providers remain competitive; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly hereby requests the Division of Lottery to

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submit a status report to the Governor, the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, and

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the chairpersons of both the House and Senate Committees on Finance no later than February 1,

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2013, to outline the status of this work to ensure progress is underway, to identify

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recommendations under consideration, and to ascertain barriers to resolution of outstanding

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issues; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Governor Lincoln Chafee, and the Director

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of the Rhode Island Division of Lottery.

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LC02846

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