Casino in Quonset? Don't Bet On It

If Rhode Island gets a , chances are it won't be in Quonset. In an interview this week with WPRO, Quonset Development Corporation's spokesperson David Preston said the likelihood of "super" casino in the business park is highly unlikely.

"The consensus seemed to be there is so many things going on and there would be so much disruption to so many successful businesses there that Quonset probably isn't the place to do that," said Preston.

Officials began to eye Quonset as a potential host to a casino after Massachusetts approved three casinos late last year. was the perfect spot for a "world-class casino" that could compete with the upcoming Massachusetts casinos in an effort to preserve lost revenue. 

According to Preston, a . Right now, the largest available parcel of land is 62 acres.

"There's just so many obstacles," said Preston. "You would have to displace some seriously competitive businesses."

One such business is , which has helped the Port of Davisville become the seventh largest auto importer in North America. According to Preston, NORAD saw 18,000 vehicles pass through the port in March alone.