IGT Is Releasing Staffing Headcount, Twin River Is Refusing

IGT Is Releasing Staffing Headcount, Twin River Is Refusing

On Thursday, IGT, in response to legislative requests for information about the company’s staffing and salary levels in Rhode Island, released staffing levels and headcounts of more than 1,000 employees working in Rhode Island. 

Marc Crisafulli, Executive Vice President and heading Twin River Worldwide Holding's Rhode Island operation has repeatedly called for a transparent process and that the next lottery contract should be publicly bid.

“Accordingly, enclosed is a listing of the titles of IGT's employees in Rhode Island and the number of employees with each such title as of August 1, 2019. IGT has a total of 1007 employees in Rhode Island as of that date, each of which is paid base compensation that satisfies the compensation requirement set forth in the Master Contract,” wrote Robert Vincent, Chair of IGT in a letter to Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello, with IGT's information. 

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According to data provided by IGT, there are dozens and dozens of director and vice president level employees working in Rhode Island earning above $100,000 in base salaries and with benefits packages equal to 30 percent of their compensation.

SEE LIST OF IGT POSITIONS BELOW

“In addition, please note that IGT is currently recruiting for the 20 separately listed positions in Rhode Island which are not included in the 1007 headcount. The base compensation rate for each such position will satisfy the compensation requirement set forth in the Master Contract,” said Vincent letter.

GoLocal reached out to Twin River — the gaming company that has an exclusive contract for the state’s two casinos in Lincoln and Tiverton -- and requested the same staffing and salary breakdown as IGT provided to state officials.

Twin River is asking to be considered as the vendor for the state’s lottery contract that IGT now provides. In addition, Twin River has complained that the process to extend the contract between the state and IGT has lacked transparency.

But, Twin River rebuked the GoLocal request.

“I’m struggling to understand the question. We aren’t asking the legislature for a 20-year, billion-dollar no-bid contract.  Under what scenario are you asking for this information?” asked Twin River’s spokeswoman Patti Doyle.

In follow-ups from GoLocal asking for the same disclosure as IGT, Doyle wrote, “Still waiting for a credible reason for this request. There is currently no public bid process. If/when there is, we would comply with the bid process."

“IGT is complying with a legislative request. There is no similar request for Twin River, that I am aware of, or did I miss something?” Said Doyle.

 

Challenges for Both Companies

While the proposed extension with IGT is now under legislative review and hearings are expected later in 2019 or early 2020, Twin River now has three significant challenges.

First, the new Encore casino in Boston has dramatically decreased Twin River’s revenue and the company has laid off approximately 100 workers over the past few weeks.

Second, the RI State Police and the RI Attorney General have an ongoing investigation tied to activities relating to the company. One senior Vice President has gone on leave.

Third, the National Labor Relations Board has an investigation into the company.