Twin River seeks new greyhound racers

PROVIDENCE—Twin River, the bankrupt slot parlor struggling under $500 million in debt, wants court permission to sign a new contract with greyhound kennel owners willing to race their dogs for less money, according to court papers.

UTGR Inc., the owner of Twin River in Lincoln, will ask a judge in U.S. Bankruptcy Court next week to end its contract with the Rhode Island Greyhound Owners Association. UTGR blames the contract for causing more than $10 million in annual losses.

Gov. Don Carcieri, a Republican, and UTGR officials originally sought to permanently end greyhound racing when the gambling parlor, whose video lottery terminals are the state’s third-largest source of income, filed for bankruptcy in June. The company is struggling to repay more than $500 million in debt used to buy and renovate the facility.

Instead of ending greyhound racing, lawmakers in the Democratic-dominated General Assembly voted to raise the minimum number of greyhound racing days from 125 to 200. Carcieri has vetoed the legislation, but legislative leaders say they will override the veto when they reconvene in September.

If Twin River cannot end greyhound racing, it wants permission from U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Arthur Votolato to enter a new contract with kennel owners that will save an estimated $8.6 million annually, its lawyers said. Should that plan fail, Twin River wants to build its own dog kennel, which company officials estimate would save about $7.5 million annually.

The Rhode Island Greyhound Owners Association will fight any attempt to end its contract with Twin River, association spokeswoman Jennifer Bramley said. The cost of the dog racing is small compared to Twin River’s overall debt and it brings thousands of patrons into the gambling hall, she said.