Senate Passes IGT/Twin River Lottery Contract Extension - Legislation Heads to McKee

Senate Passes IGT/Twin River Lottery Contract Extension - Legislation Heads to McKee

After more than two years of negotiations and legislative review, the 20-year extension of the state’s lottery contract has received legislative approval. On Tuesday, the House version of the bill was approved by the Senate and is expected to be transferred to Governor Dan McKee for signature. McKee has previously stated he supports the legislation.

In a joint statement from Elizabeth Suever, Vice President of Government Relations for Bally’s Corporation and Jay Gendron, Chief Operating Officer, Lottery, for IGT, said, “We are grateful for the support of House and Senate members who have passed a $250 million economic development piece of legislation that best positions Rhode Island’s gaming industry, the state’s third-largest source of revenue, for the future. We also are extremely appreciative of the active involvement and engagement of Leadership in both the House and Senate who made the legislation even stronger for the taxpayers of Rhode Island."

The amended legislation has been named the Marc A. Crisafulli Economic Development Act to honor the executive vice president of Bally’s, who is battling cancer.

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This year's bills were sponsored by House Speaker JoeShekarchi and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio.

“The legislation increases revenue to our state and preserves critical jobs,” said Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick). “Along with the Senate, we have taken several steps to enhance the legislation on behalf of the taxpayers. I thank Senate President Ruggerio, who played a critical role in bringing the two companies together.”

Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence), said in a statement that “The Senate Finance Committee undertook an exhaustive review of this proposal and developed legislation that protects more than 1,000 jobs, guarantees significant capital investment, and preserves the state’s third-largest revenue stream. I am grateful to Speaker Shekarchi for working to enhance the proposal to further benefit the state, and to IGT and Bally’s for their continued partnership and investment in our state.”

House Republican Leader Blake Filippi has been a harsh critic of the deal. 'When you read the legislation it authorizes a 14-year extension of the existing Twin River host contract — which provides for 28% of net terminal income from the machines and 84% of the table games going to Twin River," said Filippi. "For years we were just talking about IGT — and that contract — and that was only 9 1/2% of net VLT (video lottery terminal) income."

House and Senate leadership took credit for what they say key changes were added to the amended version of the legislation, including:

- The upfront payment to the state will increase from $25 million to $27 million.

- Bally’s will accelerate job creation at its corporate headquarters and will meet the 30 new jobs requirement as set forth in the legislation by Dec. 31, 2022.

- Bally’s will increase its commitment to the I-195 Commission for park renaming rights to $250,000 in the first year, $150,000 in the second year, and $100,000 thereafter, for a total increased commitment of $200,000.

- The IGT financial commitment has increased from $150 million to $155 million.

- The footprint for Bally’s commercial space in Providence has increased from 12,000 square feet to 20,000 square feet.

- Increased liquidated damages for any missed jobs count from $6,400 to $7,500 per job for both companies.

- The commitment to problem gambling was increased from a minimum of $125,000 to a minimum of $200,000.

Although not contained in the legislation, Bally’s and IGT have agreed to raise the minimum wage for its Rhode Island employees to $13 per hour by Jan. 1, 2022; $14 per hour by Jan. 1, 2023; and $15 per hour by Jan. 1, 2024. Each of those changes occurs a year ahead of statewide minimum wage increases enacted by the General Assembly last month.

Bally’s has also agreed to open an additional Rhode Island office, outside Providence, to hire a minimum of 30 information technology professionals. Also, IGT’s commitment to a STEM scholarship fund in Rhode Island schools will be increased from $25,000 to $35,000 per year.

The bill also includes the following components, which have been part of the bill since it was first introduced in January:

- IGT will add 100 new jobs, increasing the minimum number of jobs from 1,000 to 1,100.

- The aggregate payroll must now equate to 250% of minimum wage. At a $15 minimum wage, the total guaranteed payroll would be $85 million per year.

- It provides a penalty against IGT for failure to meet employment levels.

- Bally’s will add 30 new jobs, with the same requirements and penalties as IGT.

- Bally’s will invest $100 million, including a 50,000 square foot expansion to its facility in Lincoln.

- IGT and Bally’s must maintain headquarters in Providence through 2043.

- The two companies will make various investments that will result in the creation of a joint venture with IGT having a controlling 60% stake in the new company and Twin River owning the remaining 40%. The joint venture will be a licensed VLT provider and supply the entirety of the gaming machines to the Lottery. IGT-manufactured machines and multiple other manufacturers will supply the floor that will continue to be managed by an efficiency rating system.

- A minimum annual replacement cycle will be set at 6% with flexibility to replace up to 8% in any year.

- At least 5% of the VLTs will be the highly popular premium machines to keep the gaming offering on par with regional competitors.

The Rhode Island Division of Lotteries will continue to maintain oversight and regulation of all gaming. All aspects of the lottery and gaming programs will continue to be state-operated.