OP/ED: Support for Casino Gaming

By Bruce Breton, Steve Campbell and Patrick Hargreaves

No matter where you go in New Hampshire the economy and job creation are certain to be the most important issues on the minds of peoplethis election. On September 11, voters can choose a candidate for Governor who will be a leader in growing our state’s economy, and that is Kevin Smith.  

A very real opportunity in southern New Hampshire exists to generate more economic activity and new jobs, while also bearing more tax revenue for the state. By passing and signing legislation into law that would permit casino gaming to be established at Rockingham Park in Salem, new jobs would be created, local businesses would benefit, and we would see a much needed boost to our overall economy.  

Kevin Smith is the only candidate running for Governor who genuinely understands the importance of this issue to Salem and the surrounding communities, and he has a plan to make it a reality.  

Unlike his primary opponent, Kevin Smith has committed to being a leader and proponent for casino gaming in New Hampshire. He has vowed to work with the state legislature to craft a bill that will finally pass both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and he will sign it into law.  

As casino advocates know, there are many complexities and political nuance to this issue. It takes a Governor with experience and wisdom to fully appreciate the history of the issue and to successfully navigate the political crosswinds in order to build a broad coalition of support and realize the economic benefits of a casino in Salem.  

Kevin Smith has publicly committed to support a plan to establish casinos in New Hampshire, and we believe it is Smith’s plan that stands the best chance of becoming law. Smith would call for:  

·     Issuing two casino licenses through an open and fair bidding process;

·     Requiring a regulatory system to be in place before any casino is constructed and operational to oversee the new enterprises; and

·     Direct any revenue generated by casinos toward reducing business taxes, property taxes, or the completion of the Interstate-93 expansion.  

These guidelines make sense, and we support his position. Rockingham Park would likely compete very successfully for a license, because of its location and its merits. Competing in a transparent and open biddingprocess is, we believe, a necessity to ensuring that casino legislation will finally be signed into law. Moreover, it ensures integrity in the system, which is desirable long-term for this and other state contracts that are awarded.  

On the other hand, Smith’s opponent, Ovide Lamontagne, has indicated that he would only support one casino license at Rockingham Park and nowhere else. This is a significant problem for several reasons, and it shows Lamontagne’s naiveté on the issue.  

First, legislation to establish a casino will not pass the legislature unless it includes at least two licenses. Second, casino legislation will not pass without a fair and open bidding process. Lamontagne’s conditions are uninformed and certain to kill any chance of a casino in Salem, or anywhere else for that matter. Perhaps that’s what he really wants. Lamontagne has flip flopped his position on expanded gaming so many times over his many runs for office that it’s difficult to know exactly where he stands. In this election season alone, he has indicated both his opposition to, and support of, expanded gaming.  

What’s worse, Lamontagne is a partner at a law firm that represents Rockingham Park, and therefore his desire to steer a single license to Rockingham constitutes a serious conflict of interest that will ultimately raise the ire of legislators and derail any chance of a casino in Salem.  

One thing is clear about Lamontagne’s stance on casinos. He has stated consistently that he will not be a proponent of expanded gaming in New Hampshire, which is his way of saying, “I may not stop you from pursuing a casino, but I’m certainly not going to help you either.”  

If we are to make this economic development opportunity happen, and happen right, New Hampshire needs leadership. That’s why we are supporting Kevin Smith for Governor. From day one, Smith has made economic growth and job creation the cornerstone of his candidacy. He has put forth a comprehensive plan to make New Hampshire more economically competitive by helping existing businesses grow and working to attract new companies to the state. We can count on him to support casino gaming as major economic and tourism initiative, and more importantly, we can count on his leadership to make it finally happen.  

If you support the opportunity to realize the economic benefits of a casino at Rockingham Park, there is only one candidate for you. Please vote for Kevin Smith for Governor on September 11.

Bruce Breton is the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen in Windham

Steve Campbell is a member of the Board of Selectmen in Salem

Patrick Hargreaves is the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen in Salem