Sounds like a pretty successful meeting then

The residents of Salem have welcomed and voted in favor of a casino for a long time now. The problem has been up Concord. Still don't like this charity gaming crap. Makes no sense to me.

It simply designates that part of the house take must go to a registered charity. It also specifies max bets and entry fees and requires the place to close at midnight or 1 AM. And slot machines are prohibited. In most other aspects there is no difference between an NH charity card room and a casino.

I have found the rake at the NH charity rooms to be comparable or only slightly higher than the average rake at many casinos.

The 30% to charities and 10% tax on revenue after payouts is high, a good bit higher than the tax alone in NV or NJ, but not as high as the tax alone in some places (Pennsylvania for example).

Skallagrim

Skall,

Thanks for your reporting ITT.

Just to be clear, everything being discussed in these bills this week are all about the charity games, and nothing to do with the "real" casino?

And just to be nitpicky: nobody is talking about the "real" casino closing at midnight, are they?

I'm looking at all of this from the perspective of a poker dealer who wants to deal in that area. Nothing they can change about the charity games will make them an appealing option for me, not as long as they're run by the same folks (who require me to share my tips with the cashiers, floor staff, and pit dealers). I understand why these changes are important to the local poker players, but for me, it's "real casino or bust".

While I'm here, are they talking about raising the $4 limit on pit games? Limit poker?

Maybe if those pit dealers start kicking into the toke pool, which they sure weren't doing with a $4 max bet, I might think about taking another swing at it.

Yes, all the discussion above, except form my speculation, concerns the charity rooms, not the possible future casino. The specifics of the possible casino will be debated as the legislature moves forward. I suspect our NH legislature will stick its hand into casino operation at various points along the line, but it is hard to say where at this point. Closing at midnight is possible, but not likely.

But "nitpickyness" is going to occur, politicians can't help it. And that is part of the reason I am not optimistic about a casino at Rockingham Park actually happening.

Sorry to hear about your experience as a charity room dealer. I do know some rooms are better than others, but no one is getting rich dealing at the NH charity rooms. Still, it beats asking "do you want fries with that?"

The House has two bills, one stand alone bill raising the limit to $7 and the bill discussed above, 459, which would raise the limit to $6 in addition to creating table stakes games and protecting home games.

Skallagrim

BREAKING NEWS: GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS ORDERS ALL CARS AND TRUCKS OFF THE ROADS BY 4 PM, NO JOKE.

If you're not heading home yet, you'd best leave now.

I'm chilling out at FW for the storm and I'm bored out of my ****ing mind.

Burkes is open :P

Oh wait, Scorpion bar was open too when I walked by

Foxwoods joins chase for casino license in Mass.
http://bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/02...6kN/story.html

Foxwoods bankrolling Milford proposal, will compete with Wynn (Everett) & Caesars (Suffolk Downs) for license.

of those 3 Suffolk is the one I'd want too see win.. mainly just because I doubt Suffolk Downs could stay open if they don't get the Casino.

I read an article last year about FW's billions in debt. How do they imagine they'll beat out the others in MA's rigorous vetting?

Then again, I remember when the economy tanked in '07, Caesars was TENS of billions in debt. Anyone know if that has changed?

Mohegan was also in huge debt and somehow managed to open a casino in PA, has a bid on one in Philly and are also trying to get one in MA. I have no idea how they do it either.

Mohegan's Debt is different then Foxwood's .. Foxwoods Debt is why there Philly Casino did not happen.

I hope Suffolk doesn't get it. Traffic will be a nightmare. Plus Caesars properties have a bad rap on these boards. If they go under it won't be bad thing because the land will be developed. High rise condos, rental properties, and businesses will sprout up. After all it is in Boston. Look at Raynham, a giant empty parking lot and a broken down track in the middle of nowhere with no potential for development.

You I take don't like playing the Ponies.. Raynham was a dog track that's different. Suffolk Downs has a history behind it. The Mass Cap used to and should be again one of the big races every year.

At one time it was, but its a dying industry. I have nothing against the ponies. I'm more concerned of what would happen to Plainridge. I think converting that track to a casino would be better. It's on route 1 with excellent access to 495 & 95. You can easily attract people from Providence, the south shore and metro west. The Indians should try to work out a deal with the owners of that track and buy it instead of building one in Taunton.

Raynham and Plainville are candidates for the 1 slot parlor license, not in the competition for a casino license.

OK, help me with this one guys, because I'm just not getting it.

The governor of NH just released her new budget for the current year, and it includes $80M of revenue from the casino industry.

http://www.eagletribune.com/newhamps...asino-official

Setting aside for a moment that there are no casinos in the state right this minute, and assuming that a casino bill will be passed in the current session; and further assuming that Millenium Gaming will be given permission to begin operations at Rockingham Park: How does the state get $80M this year? Do they charge MG $80M for a gaming license?

Sounds like it -
From your link:
From a previous link:
Morse reveals expanded gaming plan
http://www.eagletribune.com/latestne...ing-plan/print

Yup gaming license fee.

That comment section on eagle tribune tilts the hell outta me. Don't know how you do it YTF.

I still live my life under the illusion that some folks can change their minds about things when presented with compelling evidence. IOW, I'm not smart.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articl...NEWS-130219871

Another perspective.

http://money.msn.com/business-news/a...19&id=16139315

NH lawmakers want to legalize gambling, and say no to the gas tax hike