Last week the New Hampshire Senate Ways voted to advance a bill that would allow the lottery to license a single casino at Rockingham Park in Salem.
The sponsor, Senator Lou D’Allesandro, argues that the bill will put $100 million annually in the state’s coffers. The bill will go before the full Senate this week.
Supporters of a casino in Rochester say they are frustrated that the bill was crafted to only include Salem as a possible host community.
Bill McLaughlin, a consultant for the Rochester Fair Association, told the Senate committee “I don’t think New Hampshire residents appreciate the aspects of giving a monopoly to just one area of the state,” he said. “If you start thinking about the Rochester area, it’s perfect for gaming. It’s got the demographics, it’s a gateway to the state’s lakes and skiing areas and to Maine. Why not stop in Rochester?”
The site he advocates would be at the Rochester Fairgrounds. The proposal would also bring back harness racing to the site.
D’Allesandro opposes widening the bill’s reach because Salem’s residents have already voted overwhelmingly to support a casino there, he said last week.
“I think the fairgrounds are terrific people, but their argument doesn’t hold a lot of water,” he said. “The fairground has always been a wonderful attraction, but I don’t think a gaming site would be as acceptable or attractive there, and I don’t think it would work to invigorate the fairgrounds.”
McLaughlin points to a recent poll by the Live Free or Die Alliance that showed that 41 percent of those polled approved of casinos for the state and 36 percent were opposed.
