Twin River Casino adds new table games

By Ana Bottary

abottary@abc6.com

Twin River has added a popular attraction to their casino: poker. Sixteen poker tables made their way onto the second floor of the casino Wednesday, something guests feel will benefit the casino.

"I think if a lot of people play online poker in Rhode Island, than the tables will probably be beneficial," says casino guest, Meagan Strong.

Twin River’s Vice President, Craig Sculos, says adding these tables sets them apart from other casinos, such as Plainridge, which is just a little over 20 miles away in Massachusetts.

"It’s a great differentiators between us and our competition," says Sculos.

Since Plainridge opened it’s doors in June, Sculos says the impact on Twin River’s slots revenue has been minor.

"There has been some impact, it has been less than what the experts first thought, but we think the market is yet to stabilize," says Sculos.

According to the Rhode Island Lottery, Twin River’s table game revenue has gone up by about 10 percent compared to numbers from July to September last year.

Twin River is also planning to add a hotel and Sculos says they are in the final steps of gaining approval from Lincoln.

"What ends up happening now is at a certain point in time later in the night, a guest has to make that decision. Without a hotel, that guest has no choice but to go home. So it allows us to extend the day," Sculos adds.

Guests who have been to both Twin River and Plainridge say they can’t be compared.

"I like Plainridge, but there’s no comparison. I think Twin River is still number one," says guest, Francesca Decena.

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