Thursday, December 28, 2006

A new bill being introduced in the General Assembly next week would raise
Rhode Island's minimum gambling age from 18 to 21. The bill is being
introduced by Deborah Fellela, a Johnston Democrat who was recently elected
to her first term. She says the legislation is aimed at helping teenagers
steer clear of gambling addiction and preventing them from wasting their
money. The bill would raise the minimum age required to gamble in the
state's licensed betting facilities, to buy state lottery tickets, and to
bet at racetracks or play Keno. Similar legislation failed when it was
introduced in the House in 2002.