Fuller Clark: Casino Gambling Won't Work in NH

While some co-sponsors of Senate Bill 152 believe that expanded gaming will easily pass through the New Hampshire Senate, one local senator was willing to testify against the proposed legislation.

State Sen. Martha Fuller Clark (D-Portsmouth) testified during a Senate Ways and Means Committee hearing on Feb. 19, citing social and financial concerns as her reason for opposition.

She said that gambling is the wrong solution to ensure economic security and add jobs.

"The well-paying jobs usually go to employees brought into the state from the owners of the site," Fuller Clark said. "I do not believe that there is any way that the casino that is proposed in this bill can compete with such casinos as those in Connecticut, in Atlantic City and in Las Vegas. We will continue to see people leaving the state to gamble elsewhere."

"I also believe we will see a very negative impact on our economy as the result as a result of introducing gambling into New Hampshire," she added.

Fuller Clark's remarks were in direct contrast to Gov. Maggie Hassan's testimony. Hassan told state lawmakers New Hampshire can no longer afford to let potential state revenue that could be generated by a new casino keep going to Massachusetts and other states.

Fuller Clark is listed on the New Hampshire Coalition Against Expanded Gambling as a legislative anti-gambling caucus leader.

Joining her on the list are state Sen. Jeanie Forrester (R-Meredith) and state Reps. Dave Hess (R-Hooksett) and Peter Schmidt (D-Dover).