Bettencourt support New Hampshire Race to the Bottom

Bettencourt: Some 'Revisiting' Gambling Position
Majority leader expresses "frustration" with Lynch's position.
By Jake O'Donnell

As the New Hampshire House of Representatives nears a vote on a bill that would legalize casino gambling, a key legislator believes recent happenings are causing some to take a second look at the issue.

House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt, R-Salem, expressed confidence Wednesday about House Bill 593, the proposed legislation that if passed could add New Hampshire as the latest New England state to expand gambling.

Two licenses for casinos would be granted with the bill and Salem's Rockingham Park appears to be a prime candidate.

Bettencourt feels the Massachusetts bill that legalized casinos has moved some minds in Concord.

"There's no question that Massachusetts taking action has caused lots of historic opponents (of expanded gambling) to revisit their position," Bettencourt said.

He believes the bill will create hundreds of jobs and without action, New Hampshire's lottery system would take "a tremendous hit" because of the appearance of casinos south of the border.

Bettencourt's comments came a day after Gov. John Lynch's final State of the State address in which he reiterated his promise to veto any bill that expands gambling in New Hampshire. He spoke of considering the "long-term consequences" of actions by lawmakers.

"I do not believe that the monetary benefits of expanded gambling outweigh the risks that it poses to New Hampshire's quality of life, our existing businesses and workers, and our economic future," Lynch said. "That is why I will veto legislation allowing casinos in New Hampshire."

Bettencourt recounted Wednesday that when he first ran for the Legislature in 2004, he took a "neutral position" on expanded gambling. After spending time studying the issue, he has come away believing "the benefits far outweigh any negative social impact."

Bettencourt also expressed frustration with Lynch's position on the issue.

"What's frustrating for me is we are trying very hard to create an atmosphere for businesses to grow and expand," Bettencourt said. "The governor is on board to create jobs but is standing in the way here."

It had been previously reported HB 593 would come up for a vote next week but Bettencourt was unsure of a date for a vote. He said House Speaker William O'Brien would be setting the House agenda for next week today.

A recent report from the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies suggested the state would see $53 million in revenues from expanded gaming even with casinos and Massachusetts and expected social costs.

The Telegraph of Nashua reported Sunday that a possible $500 million expansion of Rockingham Park would create more than 2,000 jobs and bring in more than $140 million to the state annually. [Proponents love to overstate jobs and revenue, don't they?]

Opponents of the legislation told the Telegraph New Hampshire casinos may only appeal to New Hampshire residents and would only take jobs out of the existing economy here. [Slot barn patrons are becoming more local as Predatory Gambling proliferates. Just the facts from numerous studies!]