N.H. : Expanded Gambling should be dead and buried

Gambling: Maine makes the decision easier for N.H.

As New Hampshire continues to study the efficacy of legalizing casino gambling, Mainers have made it a bit easier for the Granite State to say no.

On Tuesday, voters in the Pine Tree State narrowly approved casino gambling in Oxford and easily approved a racino in Biddeford.

One of the arguments against expanded gambling in New Hampshire is that the market is becoming saturated as more states within an easy drive grab for the brass ring. This not only lowers the potential take by New Hampshire, it adds to the instability of gambling as a resource for state coffers in hard times.

Maine's move to approve a second racino and now a casino makes the expansion of gambling in New Hampshire that much more problematic.

But that doesn't mean New Hampshire businesses can't still benefit from expanded gambling.

In the case of both Oxford and Biddeford, New Hampshire may be able to have its cake and eat it, too — benefiting from casino gambling through expanded tourism and the taxes that accompany it, without legalizing gambling.

Oxford is located due east of North Conway. It is a frequently traveled path for vacationers who shop the outlet malls then tour the region using local hotels as a base camp. From there, Oxford would be a scenic and not-too-taxing ride. Given its proximity to Fryeburg, which hosts one of New England's premier fairs, it is familiar geography to many.

Biddeford is similar. It is an easy drive from the New Hampshire Seacoast. Enjoying the beaches of Rye and Hampton would not be incompatible with vacationers shooting up I-95 for an afternoon at the slots and horse racing

However, there is a downside for New Hampshire. Both Oxford and Biddeford will feed the addiction to gamble for Granite Staters. Instead of the long bus ride to Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods in Connecticut, a short drive to Maine will suffice.

That said, the eventual need for New Hampshire to deal with the greater addiction more gambling will bring should not be used as an excuse to allow casinos or racinos across the border.


Those who argue that state coffers stand to benefit from expanded gambling should revisit some history.

Several decades ago, Seabrook Greyhound Park added to state revenues handsomely. But over time as the track began to sputter, park officials begged the state Legislature to lower its cut of the nightly take.

Initially, the Legislature agreed for fear of jeopardizing an important source of revenue. But over time, the track's contribution to the state's tax base became irrelevant as the Legislature agreed to take less and less while more gamblers fed their habit elsewhere.

The lessons of history are simple; the experiences of other states clear.

Gambling is not a dependable revenue source and brings with it too many problems.

With a new Legislature soon to be in place, New Hampshire needs to linger no longer over expanded gambling. The issue should be considered dead and buried.