Rhode Island Sued Over Sportsbetting

This story was published more than 4 years ago.

A former mayoral candidate has opted to sue the state of Rhode Island over its sportsbetting laws, saying that the law is unconstitutional as it stands.

Daniel Harrop is the former candidate who is filing the lawsuit. He claims that under state law, any changes to gambling laws must be voted on by residents, not the politicians who're in place. Because the bill was passed by the house and signed by the Governor, Harrop claims it is therefore unconstitutional and needs to be rendered moot.

Lawmakers are confident that they will prevail in the suit, as they feel that they have legal precedent, as other jurisdictions in the country have successfully argued that sportsbetting isn't gambling expansion, but instead a part of gambling that's already accepted.

The verbiage of the state constitution on the matter reads: "Restriction of gambling. - No act expanding the types of gambling which are permitted within the state or within any city or town therein or expanding the municipalities in which a particular form of gambling is authorized shall take effect until it has been approved by the majority of those electors voting in a statewide referendum and by the majority of those electors voting in a referendum in the municipality in which the proposed gambling would be allowed."

Harrop has a history of looking for attention and generating controversy. He's been accused of illegally evicting tenants, lying under oath, and committing possible medical billing fraud.

We'll be following this story and updating readers as we learn how it progresses.

About the author

Dustin Jermalowicz // News Editor
Dustin Jermalowicz
Dustin has a long-standing passion for gambling. He has been writing professionally on the subject and breaking industry news for Casino Listings since 2011. His favorite casino games include Blackjack, Poker, and Hi/Lo. A proud native of Detroit, Dustin currently lives in Michigan.
1 reply • Last post

Comments

bgsharpe
Forum AngelForum Angel
sharpe's picture
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Joined: 4 Nov 2014
Posts: 7646
Thanks given: 4239
Thanks received: 1165
13 May 2019 - 5:49pm
#1
Quote:

Harrop has a history of looking for attention and generating controversy. He's been accused of illegally evicting tenants, lying under oath, and committing possible medical billing fraud.

Ha-ha...yeah the profile of a typical politician probably...just wondered what's this guy's problem with gambling and now I get it...otherwise it should be a matter of interpretation who's exactly able to take the decision for the sportsbeting being legalized in the state - the local politicians or the people themselves, anyway it would be interesting what the court has to say about it...it's probably this guy is not in jail right now at first place.