The New Hampshire Gaming Study Commission is doing its due diligence on the prospect of expanded legalized gambling in the state.
It turns out that some members of the New Hampshire Legislature are doing their own due diligence, as the guests tonight of a company that has a vested interest in gambling.
A story in today's Portsmouth Herald (here on Seacoastonline.com) says that a handful of legislators, including state Sen. Maggie Hanson and Rep. Donna Schlachman, both Democrats and both of Exeter, were scheduled to be guests this evening of the Millennium Management Group for dinner at the Exeter Inn.
Millennium is a Nevada-based corporation that owns and operates the Cannery Hotel and Casino and the Rampart Casino, both in Las Vegas.
Gambling interests are watching as New Hampshire weighs whether it will stay ... and limit its gambling to the lottery and dog racing ... or roll the dice and expand into slots or table games and full-blown casinos.
That has been the charge to the gaming study commission -- figure out whether expanded gambling (and to what extent) is a bane or a boon to the Granite State and make a recommendation to Gov. John Lynch.
Gambling opponents spoke out yesterday at the commission's regularly scheduled meeting in Concord.
Hassan told the Herald: "I think it's important that we have a fact-based discussion on the issue. It's very hard in the midst of the busy legislative session, for people not on relative committees, to have much time for a question-and-answer session with opponents and proponents."
Related story:
A lesson for N.H. in slot machine casinos
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