Politics & Government
Rhode Island Sports Betting 'Unconstitutional': Lawsuit
Brandon Bell, a former Rhode Island GOP chairman, said sports betting should be halted until voters have a say in the matter.
Former Rhode Island GOP Chairman Brandon Bell filed a lawsuit against the state to block Rhode Island's sports betting law, calling it unconstitutional. Bell and fellow attorney Joseph Larisa, Jr. called for a complete freeze on sports wagering at Twin River Casinos in Tiverton and Lincoln until voters can voice their opinions through a ballot question.
The suit is being filed on behalf of Dr. Daniel Harrop, who said the law shows a flagrant disregard for the state's constitution.
"The General Assembly and Governor have refused to follow our State Constitution by seeking voter approval before expanding gambling in the form of sports gambling, and now online sports gambling," Dr. Harrop said in a statement. "This is a good government issue. If one provision of our Constitution is disregarded, then none are safe."
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Both in-person and mobile sports betting are being targeted by the lawsuit. According to the Rhode Island constitution, new forms of gambling must be approved by state voters.
"Article 6, Section 22 of the Rhode Island Constitution expressly commands that any and all 'new types of gambling' proposed by legislation, must be approved by the voters both statewide and in the municipality where they are conducted," the lawsuit reads in part. "In 2018, pursuant to statute, a new type of gambling — sports wagering (a.k.a. "sports betting") — was introduced at state operated casinos in both Lincoln and Tiverton — where only video lotteries and table games were previously permitted."
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Because sports betting was not included in ballot questions on the 2012 or 2016 ballot, Bell and his associates said Rhode Island residents were never given an opportunity to voice their opinions on the law.
"It was not on the ballot for good reason — until 2018, state operated sports betting in Rhode Island (and almost all other states) would have been illegal under federal law," read the release.
The lawsuit also covers the recently approved mobile sports betting law, which allows anyone in the state to place a bet from their phone. Gov. Gina Raimondo signed the bill into law in late March.
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