Granite Staters for Responsible Gaming

Casino Style Charitable Gaming in New Hampshire needs a reset an overhaul reinforced regulation

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Join your fellow New Hampshirites

Megan Harris, Salem April Bushong, Laconia Jon Mckinnon, Raymond Roy Holton, Londonderry Glenn Lepine, Nashua Raymond Boucher, Manchester Andrew Lavoie, Litchfield William Brassil, Portsmouth Jhonatan Yacila, Manchester Chris Daignault, Claremont Melanie Gleason, Colebrook Maria Spinelli, Epping Haleen Buonano, Concord Ignacio Ramirez, Nashua Dorothy Raper, Woodsville Mark Granger, Canaan Mikey Dunton, Manchester David Welch, Somersworth Dominique Ouellette, Berlin Melissa Small, Candia Wendy Roberts, Hillsborough David Smith, Hillsborough Sylvia Greene, Chichester Scott Hall, Nashua Gerry York, Alton Sandra Mcclain, Raymond Mary Blanco, Portsmouth Natalie Ceder, Portsmouth Linda Bontos, Salem Gerald Clough, Gilford Sandy Sully, Concord Mary Cross, Hampton Garth Thompson, Plymouth Allen Fox, Manchester Rick Strawbridge, Stratham John Pierce, Manchester Shontay McKinnon, Berlin Ann Amadon, Concord John Cox, Merrimack Carol Laurin, Concord Nary Sun, Nashua

I wholeheartedly support responsible gaming in the Granite state, and any measures aimed at limiting the unchecked and unregulated industry as it currently exists in New Hampshire. I believe it is crucial to protect our state from the harmful social and economic effects that come from an unchecked gaming industry.

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OUr Goals

Limit the number of casinos locations per license/license holder to ONE.
Allow communities to opt out of the casino law either by municipal vote or a vote of the executive body.
Limit the number of casinos per region in order to reduce cannibalization which diminishes returns for smaller, locally facing charities.
Enact a stricter process by which licenses are rewarded and a more streamlined process through which they can be revoked.
Create a true gaming commission, removing all oversight authority from the purview of the Lottery Commission.
Establish a statewide moratorium on all new licenses and facilities in order to enact these changes and allow cities and towns to opt out, create zoning districts and otherwise address casino concerns within their municipality.

The problem with slots

Higher Addiction Potential
- Slot machines are designed for rapid, continuous, and repetitive play, which makes them far more addictive than HHR machines.
- HHR machines require a horse race to be selected (even if it’s simulated), slowing down gameplay and reducing the speed of bets.
Greater Risk to Vulnerable Populations
- Slot machines specifically target casual gamblers and low-income individuals, leading to greater financial harm.
- HHR machines tend to attract a niche audience of horse racing fans, which limits their broad-based appeal.
More Harmful Economic Impact
- Slots siphon money away from local economies by concentrating wealth in casino operators’ hands rather than circulating it among local businesses.
- HHR machines are often tied to existing charitable gaming operations, meaning more revenue stays in New Hampshire for local causes.
Stronger Negative Impact on Community Character
- Slot machine legalization could lead to large-scale casino expansion and development, fundamentally changing the small-town and rural feel of New Hampshire that we love!
- HHR machines are already integrated into existing gaming venues and don’t bring the same expansion pressure.
Increased Crime & Social Issues
- Slot parlors are associated with higher crime rates, including fraud, money laundering, and an increase in problem gambling-related crime.
- HHR venues, being fewer in number and tied to existing betting operations, pose a lower public safety risk.
More Political and Regulatory Challenges
- Slot machines require extensive regulation and could invite special interest lobbying that may undermine transparency in state government.
- HHR machines operate under existing laws and have already been vetted and implemented, reducing potential governance issues.
Expansion Pressure and Precedent
- Once slots are legalized, there will likely be pressure to allow full-scale casinos, opening the door to even greater gambling expansion.
- HHR machines set a more controlled precedent, keeping gambling expansion limited to specific

What New Hampshire is saying...

"My name is Kym Blaisdell and I do not want information regarding communities allowing casinos [kept secret] and I stand behind transparency!"

"There should be no casinos in N.H."

"The Lottery [Commission] should not be taking care of the Lottery and also tracking the casinos. Perhaps [they] should call another state that has established casinos and see how they handle it."

"Lottery and Gaming should be two separate divisions. Each one has a lot to handle within their own divisions and each one keeps growing larger. Lottery funds [should] go to education. Gaming funds should go to counties to proportionally reduce taxes for each town or city within that county!"

"Do not expand the casino at Hampton Beach!"

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