New Hampshire Reacts to Massachusetts Casino Plans

SALEM, New Hampshire -- As reported by the Berkshire Eagle:"Bob Vengren, fresh from a humbling $60 loss at a Texas Hold 'Em tournament at Rockingham Park on Thursday night, perked up at the
New Hampshire  idea of a casino in Massachusetts.

"But the 55-year-old Massachusetts resident lit up even more at the suggestion of a casino in New Hampshire.

"...Vengren is not alone. Many residents living along the state border feel that convenience, not state pride, determines where they spend their gambling dollars. Rep. Daniel E. Bosley, D-North Adams, said that casinos use those perceptions to push states to compete with each other, leading to border wars that play right into casino developers' hands.

"...Gov. Deval L. Patrick is banking on $450 million a year from his plan to open up the casinos, but some lawmakers believe that he should not count on cash from residents along the state border.

"State Sen. Susan Tucker, D-Andover, met with New Hampshire legislators earlier this year who assured her that, if Massachusetts approves casino gambling, New Hampshire will be pressured to quickly follow with a resort casino of its own at Rockingham Park and, possibly, at Hinsdale Greyhound Park.

"...Border wars sparked by casinos are not unusual. Illinois started such a battle when it began running casino boats along the Ohio River. Indiana opened similar riverboat casinos around the same time to compete..."