New Hampshire's House is voting Wednesday whether to legalize two casinos about a month after representatives said `no' to one casino. The Ways and Means Committee voted 11-9 to recommend that the House reject the bill, which includes $25 million in aid to communities as a sweetener. The House has never approved video slots legislation. The Senate bill proposes legalizing two casinos sharing a total of 5,000 video slot machines and 240 table games. The House killed a bill a month ago that would have legalized one casino licensed to have 5,000 video slot machines. House gambling supporters had talked of adding the $25 million in aid to the House bill had it survived. Supporters argue New Hampshire needs the revenue while opponents say casinos would harm the state's image.
The 173-144 voted showed house lawmakers remain skeptical of casino gambling.
This bill envisioned up to 5000 slot machines and 150 table games at one location, was touted as the product of study and hard-won experience.
Jaffrey Democrat Richard Ames was its lead sponsor.
"We took what we learned and make a New Hampshire plan."
But critics said the plan, which beefed up the regulations included in the proposal the House rejected last year, ceded too much power to a gambling authority.
A state senator who has tried for years to persuade New Hampshire lawmakers to legalize a casino is going to try again despite a House vote to reject one last week.
Sen. Lou D'Allesandro plans to ask the Senate to amend his bill Thursday to add the regulatory scheme in the defeated House bill and send it to the House in hopes his proposal will have a different outcome.
After many failed attempts to pass a casino bill, supporters think they may finally have a winning hand -- proposing two casinos and a new revenue-sharing plan. Opponents are raising long-held concerns about gambling’s social costs, including addiction and crime. We’ll look at this new bill and its odds for passing.
After yet another casino bill failed last year, new versions have emerged – with new regulations attached in hopes of appeasing opponents. Supporters say a casino would bring in much-needed revenue to the state. But opposition remains among those worried about social costs, and those who question whether it would be profitable, given expanded gambling elsewhere in New England.
