Newport residents may soon say farewell casino gaming, and to the large red ‘SLOTS’ sign that hangs on the side of Newport Grand. Twin River has finalized the purchase of the Newport gaming facility.

A spokesperson for Twin River, Patti Doyle, says the casino plans to transfer Newport’s gaming license to Tiverton.

“We’re spending the summer into the early fall, holding small community neighborhood meetings so we can best understand what the neighbors and residents of Tiverton would like to see in a potential casino in their community,” said Doyle.

She added Twin River would then need to determine a use for Newport Grand.

“If the residents did approve, and if the state also approved the moving of the gaming license from Newport to Tiverton, that does open up a pretty unique and important parcel of land for Newport.”

Twin River purchased Newport Grand from a group that included former Providence Mayor Joseph Paolino. The group hoped to bring table games like poker and black jack into the facility, a proposal Newport voters ultimately shot down last year.

Doyle said Twin River  plans to take down the sign that reads ‘SLOTS’ from the front of Newport Grand this summer. The large sign is easily visible from the Pell Bridge, and some Newport residents have long hoped to remove it.

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Reporter John Bender was the general assignment reporter for The Public's Radio for several years. He is now a fill-in host when our regular hosts are out.