Twin River Casino in Lincoln is about to get a lot bigger. Here's what that means

PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island first and largest state-operated but privately owned casino is about to get bigger.

State officials from the governor on down were slated to join union leaders at a groundbreaking Thursday for an anticipated $100-million expansion of the Bally’s Twin River Casino Resort in Lincoln.

The expansion — mandated in the law that authorized a new, no-bid 20-year state Lottery and casino contract — will add a projected 40,000 square feet to the gambling floor, a 10,000-square-foot spa, and what is being described as an "enhanced food hall area."

“Today’s ceremony marks the beginning of our $100-million investment in the state of Rhode Island, and we are thrilled to break ground on a project that will involve approximately 20 construction trades over the course of the next 12 to14 months,” said Paul Juliano, vice president of operations for the Bally’s Corporation, which is now the operating name of the IGT-Twin River partnership.

Juliano emphasized that the casino "will remain fully operational throughout construction."

"Undoubtedly, the combined improvements we will make in our facilities and in our customer offerings will well-position our Rhode Island properties to continue to play a key role in the economic prosperity of our state,'' Juliano said.

Among those expected to attend in addition to the governor and legislative leaders: AFL-CIO President George Nee and Michael Sabitoni, president of the Rhode Island Building & Construction Trades Council.

Suffolk Construction will serve as the general contractor.

 “We celebrate the fact that over 20 unions and hundreds of union members will have a hand in expanding, modernizing and operating'' the casino, Sabitoni said. 

Bally's has appended its name to the two Twin River casinos in Rhode Island, in Lincoln and Tiverton, which now offer "Bally’s dice, cards, gaming chips and table game layouts."

What the expansion in Lincoln includes

◘ An additional 40,000 square feet of gambling space on the first floor. This will allow the majority of the gambling to occur on one floor, freeing up the second floor for "an additional entertainment offering."

◘ A 14,000-square-foot Korean-style spa attached to the hotel.

◘ Improved air circulation and lighting, and greater separation between nonsmoking and smoking areas.

◘ Modernized casino space with upgraded pathways, amenities and design features.

◘ An additional food hall, bar areas and public restrooms.