Gambling

Pennsylvanians Tout Casino Benefits To N.H. Lawmakers

Amanda Loder — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:26:44 +0000

Millennium Gaming brought leaders from Washington County, Pennsylvania to Concord to tout the benefits of a casino to lawmakers at a lunch meeting today. Millennium runs The Meadows casino and racetrack in Washington. If New Hampshire allows a casino at Rockingham Park, Millennium would develop it.

House Subcommittee Hears Testimony On Social Costs Of Casinos

Amanda Loder — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:49:18 +0000

Testimony turned emotional today as a House subcommittee considered the social costs of allowing a casino in New Hampshire. Most of the comments focused on studies of gambling behavior and public policy. The exception was Mell Brooks, of Littleton. He discussed his five years as a restaurant owner in Oregon, where he was allowed to have five video slot machines.

House Committees Hear Expert Testimony On Casinos

Josh Rogers — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:07:02 +0000

The joint House committee assigned to hear the casino bill backed by the state Senate and Governor Maggie Hassan got an earful today, as House members spent the day listing to experts.

On The Political Front For March 25

Josh Rogers — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:56:05 +0000

The House votes on the "Stand Your Ground" repeal, which would again require people to attempt to retreat before using deadly force, and a bill to increase the state's gas tax; gambling remains a heavily-debated issue, with differing proposals in the House and Senate, and one that could be affected by who replaces Michael Delaney as Attorney General.

The Politics of Gambling

Virginia Prescott — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:18:25 +0000

Gambling in the United States has exploded over the last 30 years. More and more, budget-slashing states are becoming increasingly dependent on lottery and other gambling revenues, and politicians are lobbying for expanded gambling, including here in New Hampshire, where Governor Maggie Hassan has included a line item for $80 million in the budget for casino licensing fees. Hassan has been pushing hard for the construction of a single high-end casino near the Massachusetts border, but opponents point out that problem gambling is on the rise – in fact, pathological gambling is now being recognized on par with alcohol and drug addiction. In 2011, we spoke with investigative journalist Sam Skolnik, whose book, High Stakes: The Rising Costs of America’s Gambling Addiction, unpacks the rise of politically supported gambling, as well as its many hazards.

N.H. Senate Backs Gambling

Josh Rogers — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 21:05:30 +0000

The New Hampshire Senate has voted 16-8 to authorize a single casino on the Massachusetts border. The Senate margin is the strongest yet for a casino bill. But the real fight on this issue will be in the New Hampshire House.

Gambling Bill Amendment: A Few More Details On Help For North Country

Chris Jensen — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 18:43:47 +0000

An amendment to Senate Bill 152, which proposes a single casino in the state, provides details on how money designated for use in the North Country would be used.

Sen. Jeff Woodburn, a Democrat from Dalton, says his amendment:

1) Requires the funds would be managed by “three public members from the North Country appointed by the governor.” Each would serve a two-year term.

2) Requires the money would be used for “job creation, economic stability and other activities which improve the standard of living of residents of the North Country."

Gambling Bill Has Consolation Prize For North Country - Maybe

Chris Jensen — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:16:01 +0000

A bill authorizing a casino with 500 slot machines and 150 table games faces its first vote in the senate ways and means committee Tuesday morning.

The proposal enjoys the backing of Governor Maggie Hassan and calls for the casino to be located on the Massachusetts border.

But as NHPR’s Chris Jensen reports, it’s also getting some attention in the North Country.

As drafted, Senate Bill 152, envisions a sending part of of the casino’s profits to the North Country for economic development.

Sen. Jeff Woodburn is a Democrat from Dalton.

Hassan Gives Casino Bill And Budget A Push

Josh Rogers — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 21:34:13 +0000

Governor Hassan began her day before the Senate Ways and Means committee. She delivered a pro-gambling pitch familiar from her budget address last week -- New Hampshire needs to act to authorize a casino with 5000 slot machines and 150 table games before similar facilities open in Massachusetts.

Hassan Makes Case For Casino In Budget Address

Amanda Loder — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:39:04 +0000

Governor Maggie Hassan used her budget address to propose a new, high-end casino.

Governor Hassan’s budget banks on this casino generating $80 million in licensing fees. And she said the state is already dealing with the social costs of gambling allowed in other states, without benefiting from the revenue.

N.H. Gambling Debate Continues

Laura Knoy — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:08:01 +0000

It's another roll of the dice for gambling in the Granite State. This year, there are again proposals to expand gambling here, a perennial debate in our legislature. But the House traditionally opposes these bills, and they’ve never become law.

Next Week On The Exchange

Laura Knoy — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Next week on The Exchange, we begin with the latest bills to expand gambling in New Hampshire. Supporters believe the cards may be finally right for their cause, given Governor Maggie Hassan’s support for some type of increased gambling. Later, we’ll hear highlights from President Obama’s State of the Union address and get your reaction. And we’ll end the week with the ins and outs of Governor Hassan’s budget.

Lincoln State Rep Proposes Two Casinos

Chris Jensen — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:34:04 +0000

Several bills that would expand gambling in New Hampshire are likely to be introduced this session. One North Country lawmaker plans to file a bill to allow two casinos in the state.

NHPR’s Chris Jensen reports.

As the legislative session begins, Governor-elect Maggie Hassan has repeatedly said that she’s open to expanded gambling in the state.

And she thinks New Hampshire would benefit most from a single high-end casino near the Massachusetts border.

Gubernatorial Contenders Open To Gambling

Emily Corwin — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 19:30:00 +0000

After almost a decade of unsympathetic leadership from Governors John Lynch and Craig Benson, all four major contenders for Governor support expanded gaming in one way or another. What does this mean for high stakes gambling in New Hampshire? Read more at StateImpact New Hampshire -- slideshow and all.

How North Country Reps Voted on Gambling Bill: An Unusual Mix

Chris Jensen — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:18:13 +0000

In unusual alliances Democrats and Republicans from the North Country paired up for and against a bill that would have allowed gambling.

The bill failed on a 118 – 226 vote.

Eight representatives – including five Republicans and three Democrats – voted in favor of the bill.

Six representatives - including four Republicans and two Democrats – voted against the bill.

As NHPR’s Todd Bookman reported: