By Paul Grimaldi
Providence Journal photo / Bob Thayer
Governor Lincoln D. Chafee, right, and Twin River Chairman John E. Taylor Jr. get ready to cut the ribbon for the public grand opening of the casino's new table games.
LINCOLN, R.I. -- Governor Chafee is among the politicians helping Wednesday to kick off table gambling at Twin River as the casino is holding a charity black jack tournament on the first day of full-limit, round-the-clock, betting.A one-time blacksmith, Chafee told an audience of casino well wishers gathered in Twin River's west entrance that "I'd be better off betting the horses."
Chafee and other speakers repeatedly hit on the message that adding black jack, roulette and other table games to Twin River's roughly 4,700 video lottery terminals will mean more revenue and jobs for the state. The state will net $6.5 million annually from the table games, while the casino has hired approximately 400 more workers to oversee the expanded operation.