So is it going to happen.
Just finished reading through the list of Legislative Service Requests for 2009. With all the issues in New Hampshire I expected to find something earth shattering. I just didn't. I'll admit after the two vote defeat of the casino legislation in the Senate in the waning days of the 2008 session I'm looking for another casino LSR. We'll see what happens. But if what I think is going to happen in November it might be pointless to suggest a casino LSR has any chance this session. What is the projected state budget deficit now-- some $200 million.
Speaking of the Senate does anyone have any projections on the races. I'll only have one prediction. Senate District 1. Incumbent Sen. Gallus against Rep. Martha Mcleod. I'll put this one at a Gallus defeat. And one less vote for any casino legislation or at least this was the case when I contacted Rep. Mcleod last spring about SB 306-FN. "Senate Bill 306-FN was put on the table by the Senate and since the Senate is no longer in session it is not available to support or oppose." she said. I think Rep. Mcleod is going to win because she is working at her campaign and catches traction better than Gallus in regional issues such as the Bethlehem landfill and economic conditions in Berlin. I have yet to see a Gallus for Senate sign or any ads in the newspaper. Its October.
The Maine county directly adjacent to northern New Hampshire is Oxford. It is my understanding that this November the residents there will vote on a referendum to allow casino development in this area of Maine. I'd make the arguement of how this would help the tourist based economy especially in a place like Sunday River Ski Area in Bethel but this doesn't seem to add up to votes or public support.
But if this referendum does pass......
Steven J Connolly
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The Union Leader does not live in northern New Hampshire as I do. Gallus may run very strong in the Berlin-Gorham areas but I think the Bethlehem-Littleton-Lisbon areas is going to deliver this seat to Rep. Mcleod.
Berlin just isn't the political power that it once was.
The problem with casinos and expanded gambling is that it's not all "new money." If our current tourists who visit the North Country or wherever go to a casino located here, they'll spend their money at the casino insead of going to the other motels and hotels and restaurants where they now go. They only have so much money, so they'll spend it at the casino, which is most likely to be owned by a corporation and most of the profits will pour out of the state to stockholders and corporate headquarters.
Add to that the very real costs of gambling to town and city budgets, because gambling is an addiction. We have lots of studies about that.
Especially with an economy like we're now in and will be in for quite some time, we're seeing casinos in Nevada and Atlantic City as well as elsewhere hitting a wall. They're taking in less, they're asking for more give-backs from the states and cities where they're located, they're laying employees off, and expansion/construction is at a standstill.
Casinos aren't a win-win. Anyone who plays slots knows that. And for many states, the're a lose-lose.
Thanks for your response I wasn't planning on making an arguement for casinos anywhere in New Hampshire. But I'd suggest one area that has both tourism and casinos. Niagara Falls, New York. I think that if analysis were done they would arrive at the fact that these two industries actually compliment each other. Whether this is from the location, environment, etc. I think could be answered and perhaps offer a reason whether casinos would work in New Hampshire.
To your comment about Atlantic City, New Jersey I was there several weeks ago. If this area is "hitting the wall" this sure is news to me. As an example of tourism the Air Force Thunderbirds were there for the 2008 Airshow. This event was attended by thousands of people.
If we are to have casinos, the Mass border is the only place that makes sense from the perspective market size and the ability to export the cost to out-of-staters.
As for the bigger issue, Gallus is a nice guy but McLeod has the energy and smarts that the North Country needs to help it do better.
I think many an investor will be very cautious about putting some serious financing in a product that causes people to travel to a destination to gamble money which they don't have or life savings they need for other things.
Of course, perhaps many people will end up thinking slot machines and poker tables are better risks than Wall Street.
Thanks for doing this Rep.Marsh are there any transcripts available for your analysis. I curious I have two questions for you:
1. If the Maine referendum passes (Oxford County) does this change the market and discussion of casinos in New Hampshire?
2. The Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York. Great resort destination the only major market directly nearby is Syracuse, NY.
I'm going to continue to make the arguement that tourism and gaming can compliment each other. For example I don't see why it would be bad for people to drive from Boston to the Mount Washington Hotel to go skiing at Bretton Woods and possibly play in a $1-2 no limit game later in the evening.
Why does the whole discussion have to be about revenue and slot machines. When it should be about tourism.