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LINCOLN, R.I. - Deafening applause, a big gold ribbon and a feast for important guests marked the official opening of the totally renovated and expanded Twin River, the mega gaming, dining and entertainment complex.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, just beyond the impressive grand entranceway, celebrated the formal conclusion of a two-year reconstruction of the former Lincoln Park - which owners, lawmakers and investors hope will put the Rhode Island complex on par with nearby big-name Connecticut casinos.

But it also was the day that the Lincoln Town Council president publicly voiced his opinion that town residents have a say in whether Twin River does actually become an all-out casino.

"What we have been seeing unfold since the first day of the year is an incremental march toward a full-time gambling facility at Twin River," Council President Jeremiah O'Grady said. "My concern is that this incremental process will continue unabated, and without local input, until a full-fledged casino becomes a fait accompli."

Twin River has doubled its size to go from an outdated, locals-only kind of place, to an innovative upgrade that now includes 4,752 slot machines housed inside grand rooms with high ceilings, a sit-down bar area, several restaurants, ornate cashier booths, and, as unveiled Wednesday, an elaborate, two-story, non-smoking, atrium-style glass entrance with high-speed elevators and escalators, and a slew (1,100) of new parking spaces with a valet option. The $220 million expansion project, which held a highly successful grand opening for the gaming facility last spring, is meant to draw slot-machine fans here, instead of Connecticut gaming favorites Foxwoods Resort and Casino and Mohegan Sun, both big draws for Rhode Island and Massachusetts residents.

Twin River, along with Newport Grand, is expected to bring in about $255 million in revenue this year, and pay the state about 60 percent of that slot machine revenue.

"This is truly a win-win for the state of Rhode Island, for the town of Lincoln and for all of us here," said Len Wolman, principal of BLB Investors LLC, which owns Twin River. "We have an incredible facility. We've built a great building. We're really proud of our commitment to Rhode Island."

O'Grady has proposed a nonbinding ballot question in November that would seek voter input on the prospect of a 24-hour casino. That push comes as the state considers adding virtual blackjack machines to Twin River.

In addition, one state lawmaker recently said Twin River and Newport Grand would "eventually" have to evolve into casinos to be more competitive.

Twin River still lags behind Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun in that it does not have hotels and other amenities, but is boasting lavish restaurants, lively night-life offerings, Catch A Rising Star Comedy Club and a new, upscale martini and cigar bar, among others.

Lincoln Town Administrator Joe Almond spoke at the ceremony Wednesday, complimenting BLB Investors and all others who contributed to the project, saying their hard work will reap everyone rewards.

"We know that's going to translate into success for the town of Lincoln," Almond said.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this story.