Video Gambling at Belmont Would Be Part of New Sponsored Bill

New Hampshire is not the first state that comes to mind when thinking about casino gambling. All the state is trying to do with a new proposed gambling Bill is to create places for locals to keep their money from going elsewhere.

A new Bill, SB330 has been sponsored by Senator Lou D'Allesandro, that would allow casino gambling at four locations within the state. The Lodge at Belmont would be one of those locations. Seabrook Greyhound Park, Rockingham Park, and Hinsdale Greyhound Park would be the other existing locations for the gambling expansion.

The fourth spot would be in the North Country and would involve a newly built "Grand Hotel". If approved, the money that would be generated would be substantial for the budget of New Hampshire.

D'Allesandro has used models from Delaware to illustrate just how beneficial and safe a regulated form of gambling can be. "We have four tracks and they would be good venues to place the video lottery machines and we can do it in a safe and secure environment," he said.

Not everyone is in agreement that expanding gambling in the state would be a good idea. "Putting a slot casino in Belmont would degrade the quality of life in the region, not just in the host community but in the 15 to 50 miles around the track," said Jim Rubens, Executive Committee Chair.

He went on to say,"Most of the people who will gamble will be people who live in the area so the social and economic costs of gambling addiction will be born locally."

The issue will be brought to the forefront on February 19th. That is the day the New Hampshire Senate Ways and Means Committee evaluates the Bill.

February 11, 2008
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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