New Hampshire Gambling Bill Will Legalize Casino Gambling
Amendments to a bill in the New Hampshire House to legalize gambling will allow for the licensing of 4 casinos with 420 table games such as blackjack, craps and roulette and 14,000 slot machines. The business tax will also be lowered.
Supporters of the bill say New Hampshire must act quickly to legalize gambling as Massachusetts approved three casinos for licenses in November and they don't want to lose too much tourism and tax dollars to another state. The amendment would allow all four casinos to get their licenses at the same time.
“What we have known as the `NH advantage’ — the advantage that bring Massachusetts consumers to our state — will rapidly become the `Massachusetts advantage,’’’ Democratic Rep. Candace Bouchard said .
The House delayed a vote on the bill last week, as the amendments needed to face a public hearing and consideration first. The hearing was held this Tuesday by the Ways and Means Committee.
It is somewhat doubtful that the bill will pass, leaving both supporters and opponents to quickly try to scrounge up votes. A gambling bill has never been passed by the House before, and a two-thirds majority will be required to override a veto by the governor.
Governor John Lynch has promised he will veto the bill if it goes through.