Twin River Casino, based in Lincoln, R.I., employs roughly 900 workers – 92 percent of whom are Rhode Islanders – and generates more than $285 million in annual tax revenue for the state as well as $10 million for its host community, Lincoln. In spite of a recession and stiff competition from some of the world’s largest casinos nearby, namely Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, Twin River had successfully positioned itself as a “convenience casino,” growing its profitability as well as state tax revenue throughout 29 of the 30 previous months leading up to December 2011. 

However, Twin River’s viability was seriously threatened when, in December 2011, Massachusetts’ political leaders passed a law allowing for the immediate licensing and development of three, resort-style casinos which was projected to negatively impact revenue on the order of $100 million annually to the State.

In response, Twin River’s leadership asked the Rhode Island General Assembly to include a referendum on the 2012 election ballot. State law requires statewide voter approval for any gaming expansion and importantly, also requires host community support by a simple majority. Passage of the referendum, however, would prove daunting. For three decades, Rhode Islanders had resisted any and all efforts to expand gaming.

In February 2012, Twin River turned to Patti and Mike Doyle to launch an awareness campaign to educate Rhode Islanders about the referendum and its vital importance, and to gain their support for its passage.