R.I. Gen. Laws § 41-2-4: Hearing and decision by board.

Upon an appeal being taken from any decision or order, the racing and athletics hearing board shall hold and conduct hearings on the appeal to be governed by rules to be adopted by the board, and in the hearings the board shall not be bound by technical rules of evidence. The board shall sit as an impartial, independent body in order to make decisions affecting the public interest and private rights. It shall hear all appeals de novo as to both the law and the facts and its decisions shall be based upon the law and upon the evidence presented to it by the division of gaming and athletics licensing and by the parties in interest. The concurrence of a majority of the board shall be sufficient for any decision.