Report: $53 Million in Revenue from Expanded Gaming

A report from the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies suggests the state would see $53 million in revenues from expanded gaming even with casinos and Massachusetts and expected social costs.

"Our models continue to suggest that expanded gambling in New Hampshire would bring a net economic benefit to the state – in terms of economic development and state revenues – even with new casinos in Massachusetts and after offsetting costs associated with pathological gambling," the January 2012 report stated.

The assumption of the model is that a $500 million casino built in southern New Hampshire would still bring in $53 million in revenue with a possible competiting casino location at Suffolk Downs in Boston, Mass.

"This model subtracts the social costs associated with pathological gambling – both those incurred by state government ($24 million) and others ($41 million) – from the overall state benefit," according to the report.

The full report can be accessed in the PDF file to the right.

On Tuesday, The Lobby NH reported on Twitter that a N.H. House of Representatives vote on House Bill 593, which would expand gambling in New Hampshire, has been postponed to Feb. 8.

Salem's Rockingham Park would likely be the location of a casino if the bill is passed. Gov. John Lynch has promised a veto of any legislation attempting to legalize casinos in New Hampshire.