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PROVIDENCE — A major competitor in the worldwide gambling market has jumped back into the Smith Hill debate over a proposed no-bid, 20-year Lottery contract for International Game Technology with an offer to give the state a better deal. But IGT pushed back Monday against the effort by the Las Vegas-based Scientific Games to regain a piece of Rhode Island’s gambling business — instant tickets — that it lost in 2017. IGT Chairman Robert Vincent also pushed back against critics saying the reworked legislation up for a hearing at the State House on Tuesday “weakens” the definition of the kinds of jobs that would count toward IGT’s 1,100-job commitment to Rhode Island. Rather than weakening the bill, Vincent told The Journal, the added language “tightens″ it, by reflecting the way IGT’s current contract has been interpreted since 2005, including, for example, the full-time contract employees in the company’s print shop. He provided a copy of the development agreement the company, then known as GTECH, had with the state’s Economic Development Corporation. Signed on Jan. 4, 2005, it included in the definition of qualifying employees, “employees of outsourcing and consulting service providers and temporary employees retained through an employment agency in the state.” “Let’s go back to the beginning,″ Vincent said: “This is a major economic development deal for the state that guarantees jobs, guarantees locations and a significant improvement to the gaming program at Twin River.” “This is a great deal,″ Vincent said, “and the timing for this deal could not be any more important than it is today. There aren’t many companies here in Rhode Island that are knocking on the door, looking to guarantee 1,100 jobs, good-paying jobs at significant salaries ... and a presence in Providence.” Putting the contract in financial context: IGT derived more than $45.2 million from its Rhode Island Lottery contracts during the fiscal year that ended June 30. That includes: $5.6 million from its role in providing instant scratch tickets, and the video-slot and spots wagering activity at the two casinos. The instant ticket contract is the one Scientific Games wants a chance to bid on. As for where the company stands mid-pandemic, Vincent said most staff have not returned to IGT’s downtown headquarters, but of the “approximately 300 RI workers that were furlough[ed], approximately half have returned to work. We are making good progress in gradually bringing the others back on board when the circumstances warrant it.” “For a whole host of political or commercial [reasons], people try to pick apart the threads and ... say, ‘Oh we could do this better or we could do that better,″ said Vincent, describing Scientific Games’ appearance as a “last gasp″ effort to win back an instant ticket contract the Lottery shifted to IGT — without bidding — in 2017. “If the state wanted them, they would still be there,″ Vincent said. Scientific Games’ counter-argument is based on this finding by the House leadership’s consultant: “By only providing instant tickets from one supplier, Rhode Island is not only leaving potential instant sales on the table, that spending is being exported to Massachusetts.” “Over the last 10 years this is equivalent to $2.5 billion in lost opportunities in top line sales, $510 million in General Fund Contributions, $130 million in retailer commissions and $1.78 billion in prizes that have not been generated,″ Scientific Games said in a memo provided to legislators. “If the Rhode Island Instant Ticket program performed at the average of the New England State Lotteries, the state would realize an additional $254 million per year in top line sales, which generates an additional $51 million per year in General Fund Contributions, $13 million additional in retailer commissions and an additional $178 million in prizes to the players.” “If the Legislature decides to award a comprehensive Instant Ticket program through a fair and full competition, Scientific Games would be delighted to compete,″ the memo said. KATHERINE GREGG The Providence Journal |
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In 1636, Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, established the first working model of Democracy after being banished from Massachusetts for his “extreme views” concerning freedom of speech and religion. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams publicly acknowledged Williams as the originator of these concepts, along with the freedom of public assembly, in the First Amendment in the United States Constitution. Today, Rhode Island House Republicans uphold the liberties designed by our Founders and preserved in our Constitution, and are the primary legislative body promoting lean government, fighting for lower taxes, and advocating for initiatives and policies that improve the economy and in turn, the lives of Rhode Islanders. As members of a part-time assembly, we are small business owners, retired educators, community activists, lawyers, farmers, military service veterans, volunteers, former local officials, retired social workers, coaches, musicians, churchgoers and board directors -- bringing these community engagement and professional experiences to our work, on your behalf, at the Rhode Island State House.
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