Unlike Massachusetts where Governor Patrick relied heavily on perennial casino cheerleader-for-hire and UMass. Dartmouth Professor Clyde Barrow for his failed Predatory Gambling proposal, it seems that New Hampshire Governor Lynch is attempting to analyze costs.
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In fairness to Governor Patrick, he also spent $189,000 taxpayer dollars to have Spectrum prepare a biased 300 page report.
While Barrows was recommending three commercial casinos, Spectrum had determined that two commercial casinos and one tribal casino would be the perfect mix.
And I'm certain this could have had nothing to do with the fact that Sol Kerzner, the South African billionaire casino investor behind both Rhode Island's Twin Rivers and Connecticut's Mohegan Sun, and one of the men who wanted to put the Mashpee Wampanoag casino on the map, was a client.
Spectrum, in fact, once proudly listed Kerzner International as a client on the front page of their web site though, for some reason, this year, it's no where to be found.
In New Hampshire --
The [New Hampshire Gaming Study] commission will review various models for expanded gambling and their potential to generate state revenue. The commission also must assess the social, economic and public safety impacts of gambling options on the state's quality of life.
[New Hampshire Governor] Lynch has previously stated that in order to approve any expanded gambling, he would have to be convinced that it wouldn't negatively affect quality of life.
The Granite State Coalition Against Expanded Gambling
offers many of the same objections Beacon Hill should study --
Overstatement of projected revenues by Cannery Casino.
The clear evidence that casino proximity increases gambling addiction.
Calculations showing that casino social and economic costs exceed tax revenues.
Links to five papers showing that casinos increase crime.
Evidence that casinos increase childhood gambling, addiction and crime.
Evidence that casinos increase in suicide.
Evidence that video slot machines are far more addictive than lottery.
Problem and addicted gamblers generate over half of casino revenue.
Community “social capital” index drops within 15 miles of casinos.
Addiction treatment services address only a small part of the addiction problem.
Why local chambers of commerce are rejecting casinos.
The financial impacts and social costs don't change with the state. Gambling is a loser except for wealthy investors who love legislators who form their opinions before examining the costs and expenses.
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It's time for the wise leaders on Beacon Hill to insist on a Study Commission as well.
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