Senators gave initial approval to legalizing two casinos, giving another shot at life to a perennial New Hampshire issue.
The two-casino bill passed the chamber Thursday by a single vote, 13-11, and will now be sent to the House. Casinos have often found support in the Senate but the House has never voted to legalize any casinos.
Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan supports a single casino as a means to bring new, non-tax revenue into the state, but she has not said whether she would sign a bill for two.
The bill authorizes two casinos expected to generate $120 million in initial licensing fees. Democratic Sen. Lou D'Allesandro, the bill's prime sponsor, says the bill will bring much-needed revenue and jobs into the state.
