The Gambling Debate Revisited

By Laura Knoy on Wednesday, January 28, 2009.

Gambling has come up many times in the Statehouse, and each year it’s been voted down. But with an economic crisis, huge state budget cuts and a call from many Granite Staters for new revenues, proponents hope to convince legislators that this may be the time to bring gambling to New Hampshire. But opponents say slots and scratch tickets would fuel addiction, destroy families and ruin the quality of life in the state. We revisit the gambling debate and see how it may play out in 2009.

Guests

  • Lou D’Allesandro, Democratic state senator from Manchester
  • Mike Marsh, former Democratic state representative from Greenland
  • TBA
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Gambling & livability
Michelle L - Tue, 01/27/2009 - 23:10

Why is it assumed that NH will become a crime haven simply by legalizing expanded gambling? This argument is insulting and ridiculous!!

Gambling is here, or readily available, to the citizens of NH and we continue to remain "The Most Livable State".

These same old arguments were at issue in the 1933 when Rockingham Park first started legalized gambling. And that was during the Great Depression when gangsters, crime and corruption were the norm.

NH continued to thrive.

The title of "Most Livable" is based on 44 factors. 3 out of the five of top livable states have slots. And 3 out of the five of top safest states have slots. Whether or not there is gambling, and specifically slots, is not a determining factor.

We are a state full of smart, involved citizens with good values. That's what keeps us such a livable state; our citizens. We don’t need to be protected from ourselves or some imagined sense of impending doom.

Michelle, Exeter

Gambling in NH
Bobbi, West Lebanon - Wed, 01/28/2009 - 09:52

I completely agree that, "We are a state full of smart, involved citizens with good values. That's what keeps us such a livable state; our citizens. We don’t need to be protected from ourselves or some imagined sense of impending doom."

I believe gambling will not only generate jobs but much needed tax revenue. For those who are concerned about gambling addiction leading to crime, I believe a percentage (maybe 10% - 20%) of the tax revenue should be set aside (by law) for not only programs that prevent gambling abuse, but prevent and treat all types of substance abuse. They say, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Having more money in NH to prevent & treat substance abuse will positively impact the quality of life in NH, and will ultimately decrease costs to the criminal justice system.

Bobbi, West Lebanon

Coincidence?
Jack - Wed, 01/28/2009 - 09:34

Sen. D'Allesandro (D-Manchester) introduces legislation to rename Rt. 18 in Franconia after Cpl. Bruce McKay (against the wishes of the community)and suddenly the NH Police Ass'n changes its position on expanded gambling.

Politics as usual...

Gambling, a regressive tax
Marty / Brentwood - Wed, 01/28/2009 - 10:37

State-sponsored gambling takes advantage of mostly poorer people at a time (an "economic crisis") when they can ill afford losing more money! When I visit Massachusetts and see who tends to play Keno or buy lottery tickets at convenience stores, it's mostly people who don't look very well off at all spending their last dollars. If people who can afford it gamble, well, they can afford it! (Though you've heard the addiction horror stories too.)

It's not a matter of intelligent people deciding how to spend their money. Intelligent or not, you will overwhelmingly often lose money!

The odds of winning any of the usual gambling games are so hugely stacked against anyone, it's just throwing money away. Oh, you win a small $5 or $10 or $20 thing now and then, but you forget that mostly you've lost. SOMEone wins a big jackpot, but MILLIONS LOSE, yet there's something in our psychology that makes us think we will be the winner. And in these desperate times, we're lured into trying to make money for nothing.

If the State of NH thinks it's such a good idea, let it hire professional gamblers, load them up with some of the state's revenues, and send them down to Foxwood or Reno to try their luck. If the State doesn't think that's such a good idea, then why would it ethically try to encourage its poorer citizens to waste their money?

Really! It's just not ethical. Think of something better.