Gambling bills held in committee

Gambling bills proposed for the 2011 Legislature are being held back for possible consideration in 2012.

SB 182 will be retained in the Senate Ways and Means Committee by virtue of an agreement between its main sponsor, Democratic state Sen. Lou D'Allesandro of Manchester, and the Senate president.

The measure, which is D'Allesandro's 13th attempt at legalizing gambling in the Granite State, would allow up to a total of 10,000 video slot machines at four locations. It also would allow table games such as poker, roulette and craps.

HB 593 is being retained in the House Ways and Means Committee.

A third bill -- HB 267, which would allow individual cities and towns to permit slot machines -- has been deemed inexpedient to legislate by the House Municipal and County Government Committee.

According to an Associated Press article on the issue of gambling legislation, House Speaker William O'Brien said Friday he opposes expanding gambling, but even if he supported it he doubts the House would pass a bill to legalize video slots.

Democratic Gov. John Lynch remains lukewarm to the idea of gambling.