A. I cherish the Live Free or Die culture of New Hampshire and the fact that
the tourists pay a great deal of the taxes. You know, the no seat belt laws
for adult, the no motorcycle helmets, no auto insurance, no learner’s permits
and so on; common sense for all. The NH economy is very dependant on this well
known NH Advantage. NH has lots of tourists that shop in NH, own a second home
near a lake or mountain, and help pay for the NH government services.
Expanding gambling would likely improve both of these features. If adults were
allowed to play cards for dollars in their homes, kids were allowed to play
poker with pennies and people were allowed to bet with their friends on sport
games, the Live Free or Die culture would be strengthened. Besides, why should
people have to be so secretive about such activities? If you want to place a
$1 bet with your best friend on a sporting game, should you really have to
worry about possible jail time?
Additionally, expanded gambling would give people that currently visit NH yet
another reason to visit and would attract people that don’t currently visit NH.
These people may shop at stores buy gas, cigarettes, liquor, lottery tickets,
restaurant food and so on. More visitors and tourists spending more money
means the economy improves and additional taxes are collected. This could help
the people of Haverhill, Lebanon, Claremont, Keene, Nashua, Salem, Seabrook,
Portsmouth, Rochester, Belmont, North Conway or any other town where people
built casinos.
B. I’d like the Governor’s Study Commission to keep in mind that gambling
already happens in NH, more freedom of choice in gambling will improve the
quality of life for the people of NH and that expanded gambling means the
people of NH will pay fewer taxes (yet the state’s revenue will increase).
Lots of the gambling in NH is illegal, but friendly card games and sport
betting are a part of the NH Live Free or Die culture. If these activities are
re-legalized, the culture will be strengthened, the integrity of government
will improve and even the Governor’s popularity may improve. Expanding
gambling will give the people of NH more choices in NH. This means more
freedom and more money spent in NH. Best of all, additional visitors and
tourists will lead to increased tax revenue for the government from out of
state folks. Property taxes (on new structures), sales taxes (gas, food,
lodging, cigarettes), corporate income taxes and liquor revenue will all go up.
All of these new visitors will also help the economy; a win-win situation.