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Sponsor seeks local referenda before historic horse‑racing casinos expand
Summary
Representative Olm asked the committee to let municipalities hold local referendums on whether to allow historic horse‑racing facilities; sponsor said the prior law allowed large operators to convert small charitable gaming sites into full casinos without local opt‑in.
Representative Bill Olm (Hillsborough 10, Nashua) asked the Municipal and County Government Committee to allow municipalities to require local referenda before historic horse‑racing (HHR) facilities expand or new sites open in a community.
Olm said earlier state legislation enabling historic horse‑racing created a low‑cost license path that can result in out‑of‑state operators converting small charitable gaming sites into large casino‑style facilities. He described local control as the principal issue: whether communities should be able to vote to opt in to hosting HHR properties beyond existing licensed charitable operators.
The sponsor framed HB 247 as borrowing language from prior keno and casino models that required local referenda or municipal opt‑in, while grandfathering existing licensed entities through a defined date. Representatives and other speakers asked technical questions about preserving existing eligible licensees and timing, and the New Hampshire Charitable Gaming Operators Association asked a small technical clarification to ensure operators that already invested under current law are protected.
The lottery commission and other parties were present but did not raise formal objections in committee. Public input was limited and the committee closed the hearing without a vote.
