(a)  Before a gambling facility shall be established in any town or city, the town council of the town or the city council of the city shall comply with the following procedure:

(1)  Upon receipt of a resolution from the town council of the town or the city council of the city, for a referendum to establish a gambling facility and/or activity, the general assembly shall determine, by passage of an act, whether to allow a referendum on the establishment of the gambling facility and/or activity.

(2)  Upon passage of an act to allow a referendum for the establishment of the gambling facility and/or activity, the town council of the town or the city council of the city shall pose, by adopting a resolution to be placed on the ballot at the next general election to be submitted to the qualified electors of the town or city and to the qualified electors of the state, the following question: “Shall a gambling facility and/or activity be established in the town (or city) of ?”

criminal case

Ask a criminal law question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a criminal defense lawyer and protect your rights.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 41-9-4

  • gambling: shall include , but not be limited to, horseracing, dog racing, and jai alai; however, casino gaming shall be governed by the provisions of chapter 9. See Rhode Island General Laws 41-9-1
  • gambling facility: as used in this chapter means a building or enclosure in which any gambling activity including, but not limited to, the foregoing is played or conducted. See Rhode Island General Laws 41-9-1
  • town: may be construed to include city; the words "town council" include city council; the words "town clerk" include city clerk; the words "ward clerk" include clerk of election district; the words "town treasurer" include city treasurer; and the words "town sergeant" include city sergeant. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-9
  • town council: include city council; the words "town clerk" include city clerk; the words "ward clerk" include clerk of election district; the words "town treasurer" include city treasurer; and the words "town sergeant" include city sergeant. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-9

(b)  The question shall be submitted by the local board of canvassers to the electors of the town or city where the facility or activity is to be located, and the results of the election shall be certified to the secretary of state.

(c)  The question shall be submitted by the secretary of state to the qualified electors of the state at the same general election and the secretary of state shall certify the election results.

(d)  The affirmative vote of the subject town or city and the electors of the state shall be necessary for the approval of the question, and if consent be thus given, all rules and regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with the authority conferred upon the general assembly in R.I. Const., Art. VI, Sec. XV.

History of Section.
P.L. 1981, ch. 233, § 4; P.L. 1990, ch. 508, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 29, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 216, § 38; P.L. 2016, ch. 5, § 12; P.L. 2016, ch. 6, § 12.