Twin River hopes to attract many of its players from Massachusetts residents living in Fall River and New Bedford. But I hope and expect that once they see what we’ve done here, they’re going to love it and they’re going to enjoy it and feel comfortable coming.”

“We have some players there who have been going there a long time who feel disappointed in the fact that we’re not going to be there anymore. John Taylor, Twin River board chairman, commiserated with patrons of the old casino, and invited them to see the new one. Sally Dwyer who had visited the casino since it was the Newport Jai Alai fronton, said “Jai alai was so much fun,” but when slots were added in 1992 she played them.

Pearl Gonzalez, who used to go the casino on Friday nights, told the Newport Daily News, “Newport is going to miss the revenue.” I said what the heck, I was here on the first day I may as well be here on the last day.” All 160 employees of the Newport were offered the option of working at the Tiverton casino 141 took the offer. Arthur Paiva, who has come to the casino ever since it opened in 1976, told WPRI “I would come for the jai alai games. Closing that casino two days before allowed the company to transfer its license 17 miles away to Tiverton.įor part of its history, before becoming a slots parlor, the Newport Grand offered Jai Alai. The opening coincided with the closing of the Newport Grand after 42 years of operation, also owned by Twin River, which also operates the much larger Twin River Casino in Lincoln. Twin River Management Group spokesman Patti Doyle declared, “I loved that moment when we opened the doors, and the staff was all here, from the president of the company on down.” She added, “There was obviously a certain sense of excitement and anticipation, and it’s nice that the day is finally here.” Sports betting may be added in a few weeks. There is also a small racebook with 12 terminals. The new $140 million 85,000 square foot casino on 21 acres has 1,000 slots, 32 gaming tables, dining and an 84-room hotel, and is expected to generate much needed commercial activity in the small town. The ribbon cutting actually occurred on Thursday. The Tiverton Casino Hotel opened over the Labor Day Weekend just across the state line from Massachusetts with hundreds of patrons waiting in line many hours for doors to swing open at 10 a.m.

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