Expanded gambling endorsed at Salem forum

by Jarret Bencks

February 18, 2010 | The Eagle Tribune | Salem, New Hampshire

A strong turnout of local residents voiced overwhelming support for expanded gambling at a recent public forum, an organizer said.

Forty-four residents of Salem and nearby towns participated in "What's at Stake?" on Saturday at Mary Fisk Elementary School. It was one of nine community discussions on gambling around the state coordinated by the University of New Hampshire's Carsey Institute.

Salem's forum had the highest attendance — and the most supporters of gambling, said Bruce Mallory, director of the Carsey Institute.

"Clearly, in Salem, there was strong support for gambling in general and expanded gambling activities, particularly at Rockingham Park," Mallory said.

Between 10 and 30 people showed up for the other forums around the state. Ten forums were originally scheduled, but the ones in Berlin and Littleton were combined because few people registered in Berlin, Mallory said. Another forum has been scheduled in Berlin for March 6, he said.

The participants were put into small groups to talk about gambling and expanded gambling. A summary of their comments were submitted to a moderator.

Mallory said yesterday that he is reviewing the summaries and will write a report for the state's Gaming Study Commission.

The views expressed at the other forums were more evenly balanced in the discussion of the pros and cons of gambling, Mallory said.

The commission is charged with assessing the economic impact of various forms of expanded gambling, including slot machines, and assessing the impact it could have on the state's quality of life.

The group has been meeting since September and is expected to issue a final report to Gov. John Lynch in May.

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