Dem Gov’s $1 Billion Gift to Party Deputy

Rhode Island governor Gina Raimondo is facing criticism after her administration awarded a no-bid billion-dollar contract to a gaming company that is represented by the treasurer of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) which Raimondo chairs.

In June, Governor Raimondo and Democratic state legislators announced an exclusive twenty-year $1 billion contract with IGT to operate the state’s lottery system. The British gambling company is also poised to receive a 32 percent stake in newly-legalized sports betting operations.

Critics of the deal are raising questions over the closed-door no-bid process of the negotiations as the head lobbyist for IGT, Donald Sweitzer, also serves as the treasurer for the Democratic Governors Association which is led by Raimondo. IGT have also contributed approximately $70,000 to Gov. Gina Raimondo since 2014.

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