Bally's Twin River Lincoln

{{short description|Hotel and casino in Rhode Island, United States}} {{Use American English|date=August 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox casino |name = Bally's Lincoln Casino Resort |logo = Bally's Lincoln logo.png |logo_size = 150 |pushpin_map = USA Rhode Island inset |pushpin_mapsize = 150 |mapframe = no |location = Lincoln, Rhode Island |address = 100 Twin River Road |date_opened = {{start date and age|1947|7|7}} |rooms = 136 |space_gaming = {{convert|202000|sqft}} |casino_type = Land-based |owner = Gaming and Leisure Properties |license_holder = Bally's Corporation |names_pre = {{ubl|Lincoln Downs (1947–1977)|Lincoln Greyhound Park (1977–1993)|Lincoln Park (1993–2007)|Twin River Casino (2007–2021)}} |website = {{URL|casinos.ballys.com/lincoln}} }}

'''Bally's Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort''', previously '''Twin River Casino Hotel''', is a casino, hotel, and former race track in Lincoln, Rhode Island, owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties and operated by Bally's Corporation. The facility has {{convert|202,000|sqft}} of gaming space, with 3,900 slot machines, 110 table games, and 32 poker tables.<ref name=10k2018>{{cite report|title=Form 10-K: Annual Report|publisher=Twin River Worldwide Holdings|date=April 1, 2019|page=26|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1747079/000114420419017506/tv517390_10k.htm|via=EDGAR}}</ref> The hotel has 136 rooms. Other amenities include a {{convert|29000|sqft|adj=on}} event center, 16 eateries, 8 bars, and a racebook.<ref name=10k2018 />

==History== '''Lincoln Downs''' opened on July 7, 1947.<ref>{{cite news|title=Boston Man first at Lincoln Downs|newspaper=New York Times|date=July 8, 1947|agency=AP|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/107892689/ |id={{ProQuest|107892689}}|url-access=subscription}}</ref> It was built by B.A. Dario, owner of the Pascoag Park Racetrack in Pascoag, Rhode Island, and accommodated 5,800 spectators in the grandstand, plus 2,000 more in the clubhouse and turf club.<ref>{{cite news|title=From jitney to millions: Rise of a turfman|newspaper=New York Times|date=April 29, 1956|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/113871713/ |id={{ProQuest|113871713}}|first=Frank M.|last=Blunk|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

thumb|upright|A 1965 newspaper advertisement for Lincoln Downs In 1976, Dario closed the track early, stating that it had lost $400,000 in 28 days, due to the loss of customers to Connecticut's off-track betting and jai alai, and the state's refusal to allow the track to keep a larger share of the betting handle.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lincoln Downs closing for rest of '76|newspaper=New York Times|agency=AP|date=August 8, 1976|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/122601871/|id={{ProQuest|122601871}}|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Later that year, Dario sold his 82 percent controlling interest in the park to the Taunton Greyhound Association.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lincoln Downs 'goes to dogs'|newspaper=New York Times|agency=AP|date=December 17, 1976|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/123051975/ |id={{ProQuest|123051975}}|url-access=subscription}}</ref> The track was renamed as '''Lincoln Greyhound Park''', and began its first season of greyhound racing in June 1977.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lincoln Park begins June 23|newspaper=Washington Post|agency=AP|date=June 11, 1977|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/146729893/|id={{ProQuest|146729893}}| url-access=subscription}}</ref>

In April 1977, Dario claimed he had a deal to purchase Narragansett Park, but those claims proved unsubstantiated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1916&dat=19770407&id=BSZJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WQYNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2608,1125020|title = The Hour – Google News Archive Search}}</ref>

In December 1989, the owners, Alfred Ross and Joseph Linsey of Florida, agreed to sell Lincoln Greyhound Park, along with four other dog tracks in Colorado and South Dakota, for an estimated total of $80 million to United Track Racing, a joint venture between Wembley plc (the British parent company of Wembley Stadium) and United Tote (a Montana-based supplier of computerized wagering systems for racetracks).<ref>{{cite news|title=British buying Lincoln track|newspaper=Worcester Telegram & Gazette|first=Phil|last=O'Neill|date=January 24, 1990|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:WTLB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EADE73F116BB7D0&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required|via=NewsBank}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=British firm buying 3 Colo. dog tracks|newspaper=Denver Post|first=Peter|last=Sleeth|date=December 22, 1989|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:DNPB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB1D9A5D75304DB&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required|via=NewsBank}}</ref> United Tote was charged with managing the tracks, due to Wembley's lack of experience in the American pari-mutuel market.<ref name=hiday>{{cite news|title=Wembley takes full control of race track|first=Jeffrey L.|last=Hiday|newspaper=Providence Journal|date=August 13, 1992|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=prov000020011108do8d000az&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required|via=Factiva}}</ref> Wembley bought out United Tote's 20 percent stake in the company in August 1992.<ref name=hiday />

Rhode Island's 1991–92 budget authorized Lincoln and the state's other pari-mutuel facility, Newport Jai Alai, to offer off-track betting for 104 days a year. Simulcasting of horse races from other tracks began in July 1991.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lincoln bettors enjoy horsing around|newspaper=Boston Herald|first=Ed|last=Gray|date=July 30, 1991|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:BNHB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=102640AA9014B6B3&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required|via=NewsBank}}</ref>

In 1992, with pari-mutuel handles dropping due to competition from the newly opened Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut, Rhode Island authorized video lottery terminals with poker and blackjack games to be installed at Lincoln Park and Newport Jai Alai. Lincoln came online in September 1992 with 189 machines.<ref>{{cite news|title=Video games for dog days|newspaper=Boston Herald|first=Ed|last=Gray|date=October 1, 1992|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:BNHB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=10264E0E7091CCE5&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required|via=NewsBank}}</ref> By 1993, the number had increased to 900.<ref>{{cite news|title=R.I. video poker fans say game is costly but fun|newspaper=Boston Globe|first=Don|last=Aucoin|date=April 18, 1993|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=bstngb0020011031dp4i00ddo&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required|via=Factiva}}</ref> That year, the property's name was shortened to Lincoln Park, to emphasize that it offered simulcasting and electronic gaming in addition to greyhound racing.<ref>{{cite news|title=Track gets lift from video lottery|newspaper=The Courier|location=Waterloo, IA|author=Eric Woolson|date=June 13, 1993|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30229477/track_gets_lift_from_video_lottery/|via=Newspapers.com}} ([https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30229498/track_gets_lift_from_video_lottery/ Part 2 of article])</ref>

===Transformation to Twin River=== In 2003, Lincoln Park and two executives were indicted on federal charges related to an alleged scheme in 2000 and 2001 to pay up to $4 million to the law firm of Rhode Island House Speaker John Harwood to gain support for an expansion of the track's slot parlor, and to block a rival casino proposed by the Narragansett Indian Tribe.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wembley chief to face $4.5m bribery charge|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=September 11, 2003|accessdate=2012-11-14|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2862855/Wembley-chief-to-face-4.5m-bribery-charge.html|first=Alistair|last=Osborne}}</ref> In the wake of the accusations, Governor Donald Carcieri demanded that the track be sold to new owners before negotiations could continue on the proposed expansion.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rhode Island governor wants new owners for greyhound track|newspaper=Providence Journal|date=October 8, 2003|first1=Katherine|last1=Gregg|first2=Liz|last2=Anderson|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=KRTPJ00020031008dza80008d&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required|via=Factiva}}</ref> A bidding war for Wembley ensued between MGM Mirage and BLB Investors (a partnership of the Waterford Group, Kerzner International, and Starwood Capital).<ref name=mayerowitz>{{cite news|title=MGM Mirage drops bid for Lincoln Park, leaving one bidder|newspaper=Providence Journal|date=May 6, 2004|first=Scott|last=Mayerowitz|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=PROV000020040507e05600005&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required|via=Factiva}}</ref> BLB made the winning offer of $553 million in May 2004,<ref name=mayerowitz /> but withdrew from the deal just two months later due to concerns about potential competition from the Narragansett casino.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bidder quits effort to buy firm that owns Lincoln Park|newspaper=Providence Journal|date=July 6, 2004|first=Felice|last=Freyer|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=PROV000020040722e0760000k&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required|via=Factiva}}</ref> A new agreement was later reached for BLB to buy Wembley's five American race tracks, including Lincoln, for a total of $455 million, and the sale closed in July 2005.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wolman, partners conclude deal for R.I.'s Lincoln Park|newspaper=The Day|location=New London, CT|first=Karen|last=Florin|date=July 20, 2005|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:DNCB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1124AC26744B0A08&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D6884C8DA6CD5B5}} {{subscription required|via=NewsBank}}</ref>

BLB undertook a $220 million expansion which opened in March 2007 under a new name, Twin River Casino.<ref>{{cite news|title=Taking chance on Twin River|newspaper=The Sun Chronicle|url=http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/taking-chance-on-twin-river/article_0cb66c01-ccd1-50b6-b46c-26b55e968b41.html|date=March 24, 2007|accessdate=2012-11-08|first=Rebecca|last=Keister|location=Attleboro, MA}}</ref>

BLB filed for bankruptcy protection in 2009, and said it would have to end dog racing for the casino to survive.<ref>{{cite news|title=A casino's plan to open 24 hours a day draws ire|newspaper=New York Times|first=Steve|last=Friess|date=June 27, 2009|accessdate=2012-11-08|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/28/us/28casino.html}}</ref> The company's reorganization was largely resolved by November 2010,<ref>{{cite news|title=Twin River wins license transfer|newspaper=Providence Journal|date=November 10, 2010|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=PROV000020101110e6ba00038&cat=a&ep=ASE|first=Paul|last=Grimaldi}} {{subscription required|via=Factiva}}</ref> with ownership transferred to its lenders, a group led by Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Sankaty Advisors,<ref>{{cite news|title=Bank group clears a hurdle|newspaper=Providence Journal|first=Paul|last=Grimaldi|date=October 20, 2010|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=PROV000020101020e6ak0000g&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required|via=Factiva}}</ref> but the bankruptcy case remained open until September 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=Twin River bankruptcy case closes|newspaper=The Day|location=New London, CT|first=Brian|last=Hallenbeck|date=October 1, 2011|url=http://www.theday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111001/BIZ02/310019946/1069|accessdate=2012-11-13}}</ref>

In November 2012, voters statewide and in Lincoln approved a referendum allowing live table games at Twin River. A similar referendum for the Newport Grand was rejected by Newport voters. Table games began operating in June 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=Twin River casino in R.I. expected to draw new crowd of gamblers now that it has table games|newspaper=Providence Journal|author=Paul Grimaldi|date=June 17, 2013|url=https://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20130617-twin-river-casino-in-r.i.-expected-to-draw-new-crowd-of-gamblers-now-that-it-has-table-games.ece|accessdate=2019-04-02|archive-date=April 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403035502/https://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20130617-twin-river-casino-in-r.i.-expected-to-draw-new-crowd-of-gamblers-now-that-it-has-table-games.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In March 2015, Twin River agreed to purchase the Newport Grand.<ref>{{cite news|title=Twin River makes deal to buy rival Newport Grand|newspaper=Providence Journal|first=Paul|last=Grimaldi|date=March 4, 2015|url=http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20150304/NEWS/150309716/13942/BUSINESS|accessdate=2015-03-04|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402153037/http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20150304/NEWS/150309716/13942/BUSINESS|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2016 Twin River was used as a filming location for Bleed for This. The opening boxing scene and a couple of casino gaming scenes.

The casino added a poker room in December 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=Twin River Casino introduces poker as competition ramps up|newspaper=Washington Times|agency=AP|date=December 4, 2015|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/dec/4/twin-river-casino-introduces-poker-as-competition-/|accessdate=2019-04-02}}</ref>

Construction began in May 2017 on a four-story hotel attached to the casino.<ref>{{cite news|title=Construction starts on 135-room hotel at Twin River Casino|newspaper=Providence Journal|first=Jennifer|last=Bogdan|date=May 2, 2017|url=http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20170502/construction-starts-on-135-room-hotel-at-twin-river-casino|accessdate=2017-05-02}}</ref> The hotel opened in October 2018 with 136 rooms.<ref>{{cite news|title=Twin River Hotel open for business|newspaper=The Valley Breeze|location=Lincoln, RI|author=Nicole Dotzenrod|date=October 24, 2018|url=http://www.valleybreeze.com/2018-10-24/cumberland-lincoln-area/twin-river-hotel-open-business|accessdate=2019-04-02}}</ref>

===Transformation to Bally's Twin River Lincoln=== The facility was renamed as Bally's Twin River Lincoln in November 2021, as part of its parent company's rebranding to Bally's Corporation.<ref>{{cite news|title=Casinos in Lincoln, Tiverton take Bally's name|work=WJAR-TV|date=November 9, 2021|url=https://turnto10.com/news/local/casinos-in-lincoln-tiverton-take-ballys-name|access-date=2021-11-09}}</ref>

In February 2023, Bally's opened a 14,000-square-foot spa. In April 2023, Bally's expanded with 40,000 square feet of new casino space, including a high-limit gaming area, and added a food hall. The expansion fulfilled a key component of the Marc A. Crisafulli Economic Development Act, enacted in 2021.

In 2026, Bally's sold the land and buildings to Gaming and Leisure Properties for $700 million and leased it back for $56 million per year.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bally's sells Rhode Island casino land, obtains construction financing|work=CDC Gaming Reports|date=February 12, 2026|author=David McKee|url=https://cdcgaming.com/ballys-sells-rhode-island-casino-land-obtains-construction-financing/|accessdate=2026-05-09}}</ref>

===Sports and mobile gambling=== In November 2018, Twin River opened the first sportsbook in Rhode Island and began offering sports betting.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gouker|first=Dustin|url=https://www.legalsportsreport.com/26151/ri-sports-betting-launch/|title=Rhode Island Sports Betting Launches Monday At Twin River Casino|date=November 21, 2018|publisher=Legal Sports Report|language=en-US|access-date=December 4, 2018}}</ref> In March 2019, the governor of Rhode Island, Gina Raimondo, signed a bill to allow mobile sports betting in the state, to begin on July 1.<ref>[https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/rhode-island-governor-signs-bill-to-allow-mobile-sports-betting/70404/ nbcboston.com]</ref> The bill allowed for the creation of an app to allow remote placing of sports bets at Twin River Casino. The state had legalized sports betting the year before, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal law forbidding most sports gambling in the country.<ref>[https://apnews.com/2c5ba0d00f9a4db599ef03e07627decc apnews.com]</ref>

Bally Interactive introduced Rhode Island's first and only online casino experience, available by web or mobile app, in 2024.

==References== {{reflist|35em}}

==External links== * {{official website|https://casinos.ballys.com/lincoln|Bally's Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort}}

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{{Greyhound tracks in the United States|state=collapsed}}

Category:Sports venues in Rhode Island Category:Defunct horse racing venues in Rhode Island Category:Defunct horse racing venues in the United States Category:Casinos in Rhode Island Category:Casino hotels in Rhode Island Category:Defunct greyhound racing venues in the United States Category:Buildings and structures in Lincoln, Rhode Island Category:Tourist attractions in Providence County, Rhode Island Category:1947 establishments in Rhode Island