A bill to allow expanded gambling in New Hampshire — including video slot machines and table games at Rockingham Park in Salem — passed in the Senate yesterday.
Senators voted 14-10 in favor of the legislation, which now heads to the House of Representatives. The bill calls for licenses for slots and table games to be made available to Rockingham Park, two dog tracks, and a golf resort in Hillsborough County. The bill also calls for video slots at two undetermined locations in the North Country, one in Coos County and the other in Grafton County.
"It's a stimulus package that's paid for by private industry, and that seems to make all the sense in the world," Rockingham Park President Ed Callahan said.
Callahan said expanded gambling would create jobs and tourism that benefits all Southern New Hampshire businesses.
Proponents of the bill also said it will bring in much-needed revenue to offset budget cuts in areas such as the state Department of Health and Human Services. Opponents argue it will harm the quality of life in New Hampshire.
"I think we have a good start, but we're only a portion of the way through," said Sen. Lou D'Allesandro, D-Manchester, the bill's sponsor. "We've got to get through the House. This is an uphill battle."
In Salem, The Rock could install up to 5,000 video lottery machines and 150 table games if the bill becomes law. Millennium Gaming, a company that already owns a share of the park, has an option to buy it if expanded gambling becomes available, Millennium spokesman Rich Killion said. The new games would mean a total overhaul.
"It would be a $450 million capital investment. It would be a significant construction," he said.
Before any construction could begin, the park would need to receive approval from the town and then be licensed by the state. The fee for video slots is $50 million and $10 million for table games.
Killion said Millennium would be prepared to begin the first phase of its construction within about eight months of being licensed.
"These projects would provide thousands of jobs to New Hampshire at a time when it needs it most," Killion said.
Callahan said he was pleased the Senate saw the job and revenue potential of expanded gambling.
"Creating the revenue is a considerably better option than cutting $50 million out of Health and Human Services," he said.
Sen. Mike Downing, R-Salem, said he testified at hearings that the bill would create jobs.
"What it means for Southern New Hampshire is jobs," Downing said. "Construction jobs initially and full-time jobs eventually."
Downing said Rockingham Park has been a good neighbor in the community for more than 100 years. The park recently announced it will not host live horse racing this year, leaving some concerned it may close.
"If (expanded gambling) doesn't happen, then they're wondering what is going to go in there and how it's going to affect the community," he said.
Jim Rubens, chairman of the Granite State Coalition Against Expanded Gambling, said residents were presented with a false choice between "Draconian cuts in Health and Human Services," gambling or an income tax. He said there are other choices the Legislature could consider.
"None of those choices create the human misery created by the slot machine casinos," Rubens said.
He also said the money would not be available this budget year to fund Health and Human Services and that the bill also would kill charitable gambling in the state.
Kevin Smith, director of Cornerstone-Action, a group advocating for limited government, said in a statement the bill contained kickbacks for Health and Human Services, state troopers and others.
"Simply put, this bill represents bigger government, more spending and more entitlements," he said.
The bill could face a tough road in the House. But Rep. D.J. Bettencourt, R-Salem, said some legislators have changed their minds about expanded gambling this year, largely due to the weak economy.
He said the bill is well written and free of technical flaws, which should allow for a debate strictly on the issues.
"I think its chances in the House are as good as they have ever been," he said. "Obviously, there's still a lot of work to do."
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