Gambling would be a new STATE bureaucracy

[CNHT]

Thousands of people moving to one state and initiating change has never happened before, either.

I had a thought (I get those every so often).

A good way to structure such a bureaucracy would be to make it so that people aren't able to depend on it for their income.

Seems we have a model for that already, no? 

eques, that is not the point of the whole deal. The point is the government wants to set up something as a permanent form of revenue enhancement. Period.

I am always shocked that people who generally have a healthy and well-deserved distrust of government for even the mose minor of things would even CONSIDER such a venture where NH would not only have a monopoly on a whole industry but we would never be able to tell how they were spending the money and where it would definitely be unable to be reversed in the future.

[eques]

Thousands of people moving to one state and initiating change has never happened before, either.

I had a thought (I get those every so often).

A good way to structure such a bureaucracy would be to make it so that people aren't able to depend on it for their income.

Seems we have a model for that already, no? 

eques, that is not the point of the whole deal. The point is the government wants to set up something as a permanent form of revenue enhancement. Period.

I am always shocked that people who generally have a healthy and well-deserved distrust of government for even the mose minor of things would even CONSIDER such a venture where NH would not only have a monopoly on a whole industry but we would never be able to tell how they were spending the money and where it would definitely be unable to be reversed in the future.

I realize this, Jane, and I realize that what I proposed could never truly be enforced.

So... has this question already been asked: is it currently not legal to build a casino in the state of New Hampshire?  To follow up, why is it necessary to regulate them at all?  Wouldn't the resulting increase in tourism and commerce benefit the state of New Hampshire overall?

I mean, if they changed nothing except for repealing whatever law restricts gambling, then the structures already in place that skim off of the tourism industry would benefit greatly.

I'm not saying I'm in favor of that either, and I know there's a constant pressure from statists to increase the role of the state.

Radical idea (well, not so radical): fully legalize all gambling and reduce tourism-related taxes.  The resulting increase in commerce and tourism will cause revenues to rise(!), not to mention the benefits to the residents of New Hampshire who occasionally make use of "tourist" facilities.

Again, I'm not a fan of increasing tax revenues.

[CNHT]

It's like the state liquor stores -- only the state can run a liquor store in NH, unlike in Mass where a private business can be to run a liquor store.

My contention is then, if you can't just simply decrim having a casino business, the state should not be given the sole right to do this.

There are some 'libertarians' who can only see this as gaining 'their freedom to gamble'.

But they are not weighing that against the MUCH HIGHER LOSS of freedom that would come with this PERMANENT state bureuacracy,  instituted for the sole purpose of reaping in more taxes.

As someone who is constantly having to monitor gov't agency corruption, already having exposed many others such as the WIA, HHS, etc., this would be another nightmare. We'd have to create a whole new division just to watch them!

[eques]

So is it that only the state is allowed to build a casino, but they simply haven't gotten around to it?

Go figure. 

[CNHT]

So is it that only the state is allowed to build a casino, but they simply haven't gotten around to it?

Go figure. 

NOPE not yet!

A law would be created/passed that would allow the ESTABLISHMENT of state-owned-run gambling casinos.

[eques]

So is it that only the state is allowed to build a casino, but they simply haven't gotten around to it?

Go figure. 

NOPE not yet!

A law would be created/passed that would allow the ESTABLISHMENT of state-owned-run gambling casinos.

I went back to read the original post to see if there was a bill number or a committee to contact.

So... is there anything to be done on this just yet?

[CNHT]

So is it that only the state is allowed to build a casino, but they simply haven't gotten around to it?

Go figure. 

NOPE not yet!

A law would be created/passed that would allow the ESTABLISHMENT of state-owned-run gambling casinos.

I went back to read the original post to see if there was a bill number or a committee to contact.

So... is there anything to be done on this just yet?

No bill text yet:


2007-H-0218-L   establishing authority for construction and regulation of casinos.

Sponsors:    (Prime) Edmond D Gionet
Frederick W King
Russell F Ingram
Kenneth L Weyler
Robert L Theberge
John T Gallus

[Lloyd Danforth]

Thousands of people moving to one state and initiating change has never happened before, either.

I had a thought (I get those every so often).

A good way to structure such a bureaucracy would be to make it so that people aren't able to depend on it for their income.

Seems we have a model for that already, no? 

eques, that is not the point of the whole deal. The point is the government wants to set up something as a permanent form of revenue enhancement. Period.

I am always shocked that people who generally have a healthy and well-deserved distrust of government for even the mose minor of things would even CONSIDER such a venture where NH would not only have a monopoly on a whole industry but we would never be able to tell how they were spending the money and where it would definitely be unable to be reversed in the future.

What industry?   

[CNHT]

Casino (expanded) gambling. Just like the liquor stores are now...state monopoly.

[Lloyd Danforth]

The industry is gaming and it doesn't include lottery tickets.

[CNHT]

The industry is gaming and it doesn't include lottery tickets.

Lottery tickets are legal but it's still state run. They aren't casinos.

[Lloyd Danforth]

Thus....No Gaming Industry.

[Quantrill]

I guess I don't see the difference between lottery tickets and casinos.  I don't see a problem with a state-run lottery, so why the beef with casinos? 

I DO understand the argument that says:  this is just one more attempt for the government trying to make money to make itself bigger.  But most of us aren't trying to eradicate the government, just put a leash on it.  I am not opposed to taxes I just want to limit those taxes.  And if the government gets money from casino patrons who voluntarily go there (same logic for lottery tickets) then that is much better than trying to impose an income tax on everyone.  If casinos are eventually built the Dems.  will have absolutely no reason to even mention the income tax ever again.

But all this is really moot until we get to the bottom of the state run liquor stores.  It looks like gambling won't happen for a while since there is no bill text yet.  Somebody educate me on NH law - The state owns every liquor store but not bars?  The guy working the counter at a liquor store is paid by the state?  I'm assuming they sell hard liquor and beer in pubs/bars/restaurants?  You can buy beer at convenience stores, right?  Can I walk into a bar in NH and buy a bottle of Captain Morgan to take home with me or must I go through the state owned liquor store?

[KurtDaBear]

I guess I don't see the difference between lottery tickets and casinos.  I don't see a problem with a state-run lottery, so why the beef with casinos? 

There's not much difference--they're both equally bad.  The state skims far more money off its "numbers game" (lottery) than illegal numbers runners do.  Between admin costs and the usual "education benefit," the average state lottery only pays out about 50% of the take.  Illegal numbers games pay an average of about 80%, and in some locales, they pick up at your door and deliver your winnings.  That's why state lotteries have not stamped out illegal bookie and numbers operations.

If the state runs the casinos, they're the only game in town, and the game is heavily loaded against the gambler.  In most states with gambling, professional gambling companies ((Many are public corporations.) run the casinos, and the state just rakes the pot in the form of a gaming tax.  That way the state gains some revenue, the casinos are run by people who know what they're doing, and the competition assures the gambler of as fair a shake as he can get in a game that always favors the house.

[burnthebeautiful]

There will be a hearing about some of the gambling legislation tomorrow.

http://www.generalcourt.org/bills/2007/SB225
9:00am
SH 100   Hearing: SB225-FN-A-L
relative to allowing video gaming in Coos county, building casinos in Berlin and Portsmouth, and establishing a fund to assist with the payment of property taxes."