CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – A panel charged with drafting regulations for a future New Hampshire casino is taking up a consultant’s recommendations.
The New Hampshire Gaming Regulatory Oversight Authority plans to start discussing the different aspects of regulating and licensing a casino when it meets Thursday in Concord.
WhiteSands Gaming consultant Maureen Williamson is recommending addressing gaps in regulations governing charity gambling, particularly table games, through separate legislation. Williamson recommended strengthening regulations and controls over charity gambling that mirror those that for a casino.
The panel must submit draft legislation on casino regulations to lawmakers by Dec. 15.
The panel was created after the House killed a casino bill this year that had passed the Senate with strong backing from Gov. Maggie Hassan. The rejected bill would have allowed the construction of one casino with 5,000 slot machines and 150 table games.
The panel is considering whether the Lottery Commission should be beefed up to handle the regulatory oversight or if a separate gambling authority should be formed to take on some or all of the responsibility. One option under consideration is to create an independent authority to award the license and determine the casino’s location and have the Lottery Commission enforce the regulations.
Hassan hopes the commission will address concerns about the state’s ability to regulate a casino that came up last spring. The sponsor of the bill plans to file a new bill to be voted on next year.
Casino supporters are concerned New Hampshire will lose revenue to Massachusetts, which is in the process of licensing three casinos and one video slots parlor. New Hampshire has no personal income or general sales tax and supporters also believe revenue from a casino could help pay for highway improvements and other state programs.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
