New Hampshire residents have made up their minds about expanded gambling — they want it, according to a firm that recently completed a survey on the subject.
Seventy-two percent of registered voters surveyed supported bringing video slot machines to the state, according to a study conducted by the Lombardo Group, commissioned by casino company Millennium Gaming. Last year, 69 percent of those surveyed said they supported slots, the same figure as in 2008.
The steady support shows voters have decided on slots, said Steve Lombardo, president of the Lombardo Group.
"New Hampshire registered voters have settled on an opinion on this," he said.
But Gov. John Lynch doesn't feel the same way. Lynch unveiled a plan yesterday to balance the state's budget. It includes $80 million in state cuts, 30 to 35 layoffs, and restructuring $45 million in debt. It doesn't include expanded gambling of any kind.
Lynch has a gaming study commission working on a report outlining the potential affect expanded gambling could have on the state's quality of life. That report is scheduled to be released in May.
He doesn't want anyone to make up their minds on gambling until that study is finished, spokesman Colin Manning said.
A legislative proposal to allow slot machines at up to six locations in the state has gained steam. Senate Bill 489, sponsored by Sen. Lou D'Allesandro, D-Manchester, passed the Senate, 14-10, earlier this year. It is now being considered by a House committee.
As currently written, the bill calls for slot licenses to be distributed to the state's three racetracks — including Rockingham Park — one to a golf course in Hudson, and two more for venues in Grafton and Coos counties. It would allow for up to 17,000 machines in all.
The bill is being reviewed by the Local and Regulated Revenues Committee in the House, which is considering an amendment to cut the total number of machines to under 10,000, eliminate one license, and open the license designated for the Lodge at Belmont to bid. Officials at Loudon Speedway have said they would be interested in slots, as well as businesspeople in Manchester.
Jim Rubens, chairman of the Granite State Coalition Against Expanded Gambling, said the survey results show people are being fooled by the casino companies, who have spent millions of dollars to promote gambling in the state.
"The polls show simply that advertising and manipulative public relations can influence opinion," Rubens said. "The more the public knows about casinos, the more they don't like them."
Slot machines and casino development hurt local jobs and businesses, and corrupt the political process, he said.
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