Should The Voters Decide About Sports Betting In RI?

From the Office of Joseph A. Trillo, Independent Candidate for Governor of Rhode Island: Independent candidate for Rhode Island governor Joe Trillo sides with former East Providence Mayor Joseph Larisa, and says state-operated sports betting should go to a referendum on the November ballot.

In a recent Providence Journal OpEd, Attorney Joseph Larisa who is a Former Chief of Staff and Chief Legal Counsel under Governor Lincoln Almond, cited Article 6, Section 22 of the state constitution to support his position. Article 6, Section 22 mandates that “no act expanding the types or locations of gambling permitted” anywhere in the state, or “expanding municipalities in which a particular form of gambling is authorized” can take effect unless a majority of voters both statewide and in the affected municipalities approve.

Larisa added, “Any new type” and “particular form” of gambling must be made known to the voters in the referendum question so that they can intelligently consider whether to approve or reject it.”

“After listening to Joe Larisa’s explanation of whether sports betting is legal, as assumed by the governor, wtihout a referendum, I would totally agree with Joe Larisa, who has expertise in constitutional and gaming issues. Voters are constitutionally entitled to fair notice of what they are voting on,” said Trillo.

“My advice to Governor Gina Raimondo is that instead of ramming this through without letting Rhode Island voters completely digest what they’re signing up for, she work with the General Assemby before it adjourns for this session. A referendum needs to be put on the ballot to ask voters whether or not they approve of sports betting, before relying on anticipated revenue to balance her budget. If she does so, and someone challenges the constitutionality of it, and the state loses, it will be another headache for Rhode Island taxpayers.”

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