New Hampshire’s on-again-off-again relationship with the expansion of gaming may be back on again, as there are growing indications that differences between proponents and opponents could be bridged. New Hampshire, a notoriously tax-averse state (having neither a sales nor personal income tax), is the first in the nation to establish a state-run lottery, and charitable gaming is already prevalent in the state. One would expect that New Hampshire would be naturally hospitable to expanded gaming, particularly given the state’s ongoing need to generate revenue. However, several factors, including historical opposition from law enforcement and repeated rejection of expanded gaming by the state’s four-hundred-member House of Representatives, have frustrated efforts of gaming proponents. Those factors may be changing.
A new legislative session is on the horizon, with the legislature convening in January 2014, and some observers believe that the stars may be aligning for gaming proponents in the next session. New Hampshire’s Governor and Senate President are clearly in favor of expanded gaming. Governor Maggie Hassan (D) ardently campaigned on a platform supporting expanded gaming and even unveiled a biennial budget last session that included revenue to be generated if a gaming proposal were to become a reality. Just last September, Governor Hassan said that casino gambling “is right for New Hampshire. The state stands to lose $75 million a year to Massachusetts and [failing to allow a well-regulated, high-end casino] is a missed opportunity to create jobs and revenue for New Hampshire priorities.” [1]
On the Senate side, the GOP holds a narrow 13-11 edge but has historically taken on the gaming issue with a spirit of bipartisanship. Recently elected Republican Senate President Chuck Morse, a co-sponsor of last year’s expanded gaming bill, hails from the border town of Salem, which strongly supports gaming and hopes to host a casino. In our recent communication, he said, “I continue to believe expanding gaming represents the opportunity for job creation, economic development, and increased non-tax revenues for the state. I look forward to reviewing the reports of the various committees taking another look at this issue, and am confident their recommendations will provide needed insight when the legislature again takes up this matter next session.” Democratic Senator Lou D’Allessandro of Manchester has long been one of the state’s unwavering gaming supporters, and Senate Democratic Minority Leader and former Senate President, Sylvia Larsen, voted in support of expanded gaming last year.
Adding to the momentum enjoyed by gaming advocates is input from a Gaming Regulatory Oversight Authority that convened last summer in response to concerns raised by some legislators in regard to the state’s ability to regulate a casino. The Oversight Authority is charged with studying existing regulations and proposing new regulations and draft legislation by December 15, 2013 for consideration in the 2014 legislative session.
Also, other prior opponents, the New Hampshire Troopers Association and New Hampshire Police Association, have come out in support of expanded gaming, departing from their prior positions grounded on concern that gaming would trigger an increase in crime. Further buttressing support for expanded gaming is a University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll last spring that indicated 63 percent of New Hampshire residents favor expanded gaming.
In the state’s four hundred member House of Representatives, gaming expansion fell 35 votes short last year. However, it is believed that many of the concerns that led to that defeat will be addressed by the work of the Oversight Authority. Further, the Speaker and Governor’s Office worked in tandem this fall on the difficult question of Medicaid expansion in New Hampshire. Observers believe that the working relationship and spirit of cooperation engendered by that effort may strengthen the Governor’s hand.
In short, lawmakers will likely again be considering expanded gaming in the next session, and it appears that the time has never been better for gaming proponents in New Hampshire.
[1] “Hassan: Lots of issues to work on, but consensus building a priority,” by Dan Tuohy at Fosters.com (last accessed November 7, 2013).