N.H. panel on gambling seeks data

After the first meeting of the state Gaming Study Commission, member and Portsmouth Mayor Tom Ferrini said it was clear to him that the goal of the commission was to pursue

"data-driven" findings.

"It's clear to me that everybody wants to do what's best," said Ferrini about the first meeting of the 15-member commission held Tuesday in Concord. "I always believe that a deliberative, democratic process is the best approach and this will be no exception."


"I think the commission is a good idea because we need to take a comprehensive and non-ideological look at this and how it might benefit the state," Hassan said.

Or not ???

Isn't this what is needed in Massachusetts?

As the Massachusetts Governor has said, along with numerous experts in the gaming industry, the economic climate is not what it was several years ago. Maybe this no longer makes sense.

Shall we follow RI off the same cliff?

Carcieri orders 12 'shutdown days', municipal aid cuts

WOW! Weren't slots supposed to save Rhode Island?

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- R.I. state government will shut down for a total of 12 days between now and next June to help close a massive budget hole, Governor Carcieri announced Monday afternoon. The governor also unveiled plans to withhold the final $32.5 million in quarterly reimbursements to cities and towns as compensation for reducing local car-tax levies.


State As Stakeholder ?


How then, Grogan asks, does a company like Twin Rivers go bankrupt?

Why, because it's largest stakeholder, THE STATE, did not help solve it's problems.

And it's all the State's fault. It's a bad Stakeholder.

Maybe Grogan's right.
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But, just maybe, those who have spoken out about the true costs of gambling that go beyond the heavy burden of addiction to Predatory Gambling, and include the cost of Regulating, Enforcing, Prosecuting, and so much more are the ones who are right. Maybe that's why every state with expanded gambling is in worse shape than Massachusetts.

.

Maybe Massachusetts' leaders were wise not to jump hastily onto that bandwagon that has destroyed lives and budgets.

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Time for a Blue Ribbon Commission?

Some ideas just make sense

If New Hampshire can appoint a Gaming Study Commission, why can't Massachusetts?

Some critics of expanded gaming are warning that the gambling issue needs to be fully vetted.

“I don’t think the average person, or even the average legislator, has a full grasp of the magnitude of what needs to be considered,’’ added Kathleen Conley Norbut, a resident of Monson and a member of the group United to Stop Slots in Mass.

Rosenberg said that with the debate now heating up, the biggest mistake the state can make is to rush the process.

“If we do this,’’ he said, “we’re going to live with this for a long time.’’