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Casino gambling bill comes around again

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Casino gambling in New Hampshire could become a reality if a bill currently being considered by the Senate, SB 242, passes muster. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Lou D'Allesandro, would authorize the creation of two casinos in the Granite State.

D'Allesandro has sponsored bills to authorize some form of casino gambling regularly over the past several years, though he's faced challenges getting his proposals past the Legislature.

Currently, casino gambling is illegal in New Hampshire, though the state does allow lower-stakes games of bingo and poker where a portion of proceeds goes to benefit charity. For more details, visit our Gambling issue page. 

This year’s bill would authorize one larger and one smaller casino.  The smaller casino would pay an initial ten-year license fee of $40 million, and the larger casino would pay an initial ten-year license fee of $80 million.  Both casinos would pay a tax of 35% on gross slot machine revenue and 18% on gross table game revenue.  The Legislature would choose how to distribute this revenue, although some of the revenue must go to towns hosting or neighboring the casino and to programs to treat problem gambling. 

Based on previous voting records and issue positions, the bill could pass or fail in the Senate, depending on some swing votes. 

Bill supporters argue that casinos would bring much-needed revenue to state government, create jobs, and increase tourism.  They also argue that fears of increased crime and problem gambling are overblown.

Bill opponents argue that the social ills associated with problem gambling will cancel out any other benefits.  They also argue that there is a saturation of casinos on the east coast and point to recent casino closings.

Would you be in favor of casino gambling in NH? Leave a comment to join the discussion. 

UPDATE: Read our Citizen Voices℠ report and find out where New Hampshire stands on this issue.

 

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