House of Representatives Voting on New Hampshire Casino Bill

A New Hampshire bill that would allow two casinos is up for a vote next Wednesday in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. In the meantime, activists on the both sides of the fence are excepting a close vote. They have all agreed that they can’t predict how Wednesday’s vote might play out.

The bill would establish one larger resort-type casino along with a second, smaller casino in the state. There are many supporters of the bill but there is also a considerable debate over the proper number of the venues.

New Hampshire casino bill would not allow two casinos to be built at the same time. Larger resort-casino would be licensed and built first. Bill calls for at least one year wait before the second license is granted.

Some tare of the opinion that state only needs one large casino and that state’s market can’t support two venues. Others believe that delaying the process for the second casino is not good idea as that move could create monopoly for the owners and operators of the larger casino, benefiting the one part of the state.

Governor Maggie Hassan stated that she would support the casino bill, mostly because of the one year wait clause. However, it is Governor's opinion that New Hampshire should only allow one single resort-style casino which would be built near the state’s southern border.

Rep. Larry Gagne is member of the House who is now supporter of the casino bill even though he voted against building a casino inMarch of 2014when the House killed the bill that would allow one casino. The House also killed a Senate bill two months later, intended to allow two casinos in New Hampshire.

Larry Gagne said that he voted against a casino twice but this time, he will certainly support the bill. He explained that he is not a gambler but if someone wants to spend money and the state gets revenue from it, he sees no reason to oppose it.

Most of the supporters think that gambling would be beneficial in many ways, especially because of the revenue it would create. However, if the New Hampshire bill is passed, the casino will also create numerous jobs and it will certainly keep money in the state.

The New Hampshire Lottery Commission has estimated that the larger casino could create $135m in revenue in its first year of operation.

Casino bill has never passed the House so it is really almost impossible to predict how Wednesday’s vote may play out, but it seems that support for the casinos has never been stronger.

Photo: bitsbybets