Charitable gaming on the rise

While we wait for the re-emergence of legalized gambling as an issue for the new legislative session, charitable gaming continues to grow, particularly in the Seacoast area.

In 2006, the state Legislature voted to allow for-profit companies to operate games of chance, requiring that at least 35 percent of profits go to a charity.

Currently there are 14 sites licensed for "games of chance" in New Hampshire at venues that include Rockingham Park and Seabrook Greyhound Racing.

A new charitable gaming operation -- "The Poker Room" -- is scheduled to open soon on Route 1 at the site of the former Dexter's Shoe Store in Hampton Falls.

And an application has been filed to open a charitable gaming facility at the former Guido Murphy's night club and Dylan's restaurant at Hampton Beach. The town's Zoning Board of Appeals has to approve a variance for the facility.

"There is nothing in the ordinance that prohibits this activity and it would be consistent with the nature of the town as a resort community," Giovannie Anzalone, who is filing the application, said to the Portsmouth Herald.

This latest move to establish another charitable gaming facility on the Seacoast brought this observation from a Herald editorial:

"Some may say charitable gaming is for good causes like a 'casino night' to raise money for local veterans. They should not assume that. New Hampshire has stood steadfast against casino gambling, yet allowing charitable gaming now seems to circumvent that opposition."