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NEWS

February 11, 2008
NH Gambling Bill Would Legalize Video Slots

CONCORD, NH - State Senator Lou D'Allesandro is promoting a new gambling bill to legalize up to 7,000 video slot machines in the state. They would be licensed to venues like Rockingham Park and other race tracks. It would also include the grand hotels in Coos County which once hosted gambling.

D'Allesandro is the vice chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee where a hearing is scheduled February 19th on the measure.

Under the bill each application would pay a $100,000 plus a processing fee of $50,000. If accepted, horse racing tracks would $15 million for an initial licensing fee and $1 million for a yearly renewal. Dog tracks and hotels would pay $5 million initially and $500,000 for a renewal.
If Rockingham and three smaller venues apply, the state would receive a one-time payment of $30 million.

In addition to the licensing fees the state would receive 42% of the net revenues. The state Lottery Commission estimates this to be $272 million a year. Towns with race tracks would receive 2% of the revenues. These payments are estimated to total $13 million a year.

Millennium Gaming Inc., of Lakeland, Colorado, is interested in reviving live racing at Rockingham Park if the Legislature would be willing to authorize 3,000 slot machines. In return Millennium has offered to pay the state $150 million a year.

Governor John H. Lynch is skeptical the bill will be enacted. "It's not going to happen this year. There is not the political will for it to happen. Unless I am absolutely convinced it wouldn't have an effect on our quality of life, I wouldn't even entertain a discussion about supporting it."