Gaming machines at the Nash Casino in Nashua (Photo by Alexander Rapp, Concord Monitor)
To tap into alternative revenue streams, state Rep. Dan McGuire is proposing to legalize slot machines in New Hampshire’s bars and restaurants.
McGuire, an Epsom Republican, proposed similar legislation in 2016, but it didn’t gain much ground.
With the state steadily expanding aspects of charitable gaming, coupled with a revenue shortfall in a state budget year, he believes the timing might be finally right.
“I’m under the impression that society has become more accepting of gambling over this past decade,” said McGuire. “Something that was not as acceptable in the Legislature than might be today.”
He’s hoping to get the measure included in the policy section of Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s budget, known as HB 2, as a way to generate revenue to help cover the massive settlement tied to the Youth Development Center lawsuits. The state is on the hook to pay millions to more than 870 individuals who were abused as children at New Hampshire’s former youth detention center.
New Hampshire legalized gambling with table games and historic horse racing machines, which are similar to slot machines, under the condition that 35% of the gaming revenue would be allocated as donations for charities and nonprofits.
But McGuire’s vision for slot machines outside of casino halls would follow a different model.
One-third of the net revenue from slot machines, after prize payouts, will be allocated to the businesses hosting the slot machines, while the remaining two-thirds will go to the state.
“This is more like Keno,” said McGuire.
“It’s a moderate amount of gambling but being done in essentially all over the state, not in limited locations.”
The proposed amendment, which is yet to be adopted by the Senate Finance Committee, would let places like sports recreational centers, cigar bars, hotels and private, social or veterans clubs have slot machines on their premises as long as they hold a valid liquor license.
Right now, New Hampshire only allows historic horse racing machines — games that resemble slot machines but include a slight delay between plays.
Earlier this month, the House Finance Committee approved a section of Ayotte’s budget that would swap out historic horse racing machines for slot machines or video lottery terminals at licensed casinos.
Based on the projections from his 2016 bill, McGuire estimates that the state could generate at least $200 million over the next two years, provided 700 locations participate.
“It could be even more,” said McGuire.
“Slot machines and gaming in the state are becoming more attractive.”
Sruthi Gopalakrishnan can be reached at sgopalakrishnan@cmonitor.com. This article is being shared by partners in the Granite State News Collaborative. For more information, visit collaborativenh.org.
