WPRO News

Twin River management announced Wednesday morning they will be acquiring their former rival Newport Grand.

Twin River Chairman John Taylor said the company will acquire the purchasing agreement from Newport Entertainment LLC, a corporation owned by former Providence Mayor Joe Paolino.

Last year, Paolino and other partners said they would buy the aging slot parlor only if the city would approve table gaming; voters rejected the proposal in November. During Wednesday’s announcement, Taylor was quick to say Twin River will not be asking for table games to be placed on the 2016 ballot.

“It is pretty clear that the people of Newport do not want an expansion of gaming there,” said Taylor.

Despite the Taylor’s statement, members of Newport’s Citizens Concerned Against Casino Gambling say they will keep a close eye on the developments in Newport Grand.

“I really don’t have any good sense of where things are going to go other than we will remain vigilant and keep our eyes on developments both locally and at the General Assembly,” said Liz Taber, President of CCAG.

The sale is expected to be completed by June 30 of this year.