Twin River has spent almost 600K on casino campaign since March

Twin River has spent $578,741 since the start of March to encourage voters to support the expansion of gambling in Rhode Island during a statewide vote this November, state campaign finance records show. The comparable figure for Newport Grand is more modest: $21,400.

Voters may be fairly likely to add table games at Twin River and Newport Grand, considering how Massachusetts is gearing up with plans for three casinos and a slot parlor. But Rhode Island’s two gambling emporiums appear not to be taking anything for chance.

Twin River spent more than $152,000 just in June, following expenditures of just under $86,000 in May, $284,666 in April, and $55,666 in March.

The name on Twin River’s finance filings is listed as “Jobs to RI, Inc.” The documents show the funding for the spending came from UTGR, the business name for Twin River.

Tens of thousands of the amount spent by the Lincoln gambling parlor went to the RDW Group, the Providence public-relations outfit. Andrew Caruolo, who is running Twin Rivers’ ballot campaign (and is the son of former House majority leader George Caruolo), has collected thousands in fees.

Newport Grand’s more modest spending includes payments to the Providence PR company Duffy & Shanley and a polling payment to Fleming & Associates.