Weirs Beach Casino????

[OCDACTIVE]

This is simply a question and not intended to start a debate. Through a chain of people I heard that Weirs Beach Boardwalk sold to a company so that it can be made into a casino if gambling is passed in NH?????

Again this was through a chain of people so it simply could be a game a telephone by the time I heard this.

Is there any truth to the rumor? I know that the boardwalk has been for sale for quite a long time, so it made sense that it sold. But for a casino???

Any info. would be appreciated.

[hancoveguy]

I am sure there will be an opinion for every screen name on here, but I for one would be THRILLED, were that to come true....

HCG

[Slickcraft]

I can't think of very many reasons why we would pack-up and leave the area but that surely would be one.

[Sal]

The Rockingham Park area would be the place for a NH Casino. If not, then the Seabrook dog track site (where they already have poker and blackjack). A NH casino in either of these sites would put Foxwoods in the doldrums.

Would Boston area gamblers rather drive 2 hours and 15 minutes to Foxwoods or 1/2 hour to Rockingham (or Seabrook)?

and ..... would a Winni lover really want a casino going full tilt at the Weirs in the middle of the summer? Middle of winter .... maybe, but how do you do that? A "seasonal license"? IMHO, wouldn't work.

[dykg]

Has it been confirmed that the Weirs Beach boardwalk was sold?

[fatlazyless]

You are probably referring to the Winnipesaukee Gardens Ballroom which is the large building down at the end of the boardwalk and includes a few retail stores, some boat dock rentals, the Anchor Marine boat gas station and retail store and the minature golf. It had been for sale for maybe ten years for something like 5-mil at one time, about five years ago?

The boardwalk is basically a waterfront, public sidewalk, that overlooks the lake and is property of the City of Laconia.

Building a casino venue down at the Weirs would probably be very fortunate for that neighborhood because it is now deader than a dead fish from Labor day to Memorial Day. Last winter, the parking meters all got covered with blue canvas hoods, and the parking space area of the road became a snowmobile trail. Probably, not too many cities in the new england states cover their parking meters with padlocked hoods for the winter! What, are they worried that someone will break the hood and place a quarter into the meter while the parking space becomes a snowmobile trail?

[jrc]

The pier and the boardwalk are no where near big enough for a casino. I could imagine a lakes region casino, but a lakefront casino makes no finanical sense.

The state plans, if approved would only allow two or three casinos in the state. That rare of a license would not be wasted on a small property with any expansion being very expensive, plus add shorelands issues and it damn near impossible to see it at the Wiers.

Now at the speedway maybe...

[Resident 2B]

Originally Posted by jrc

The pier and the boardwalk are no where near big enough for a casino. I could imagine a lakes region casino, but a lakefront casino makes no finanical sense.

The state plans, if approved would only allow two or three casinos in the state. That rare of a license would not be wasted on a small property with any expansion being very expensive, plus add shorelands issues and it damn near impossible to see it at the Wiers.

Now at the speedway maybe...

... or on the property that once was the water park complex, plus the mobile home estates across White Oaks Road from it. Great view, plenty of space for a hotel, casino and a parking garage.

Just an opinion, nothing behind it other than opinion.

R2B

[martbri7]

I always thought the Mount would be a great floating casino, plus Funspot would be a great spot also....my feeling though is I would rather have it a little further than the Lakes Region.

[Mr. V]

There's already a casino in Belmont, hiding in plain sight.

[dpg]

Both Mass and Now I guess NH are debating 3 Casinos each. If both pass we will be flooded with too much gambling and too many casinos. I realize lots of people go to Connecticut (including myself) but SIX new ones?? Wouldn't want the place touched but a beautiful location for a full scale luxury casino complex would be on the Castle grounds.

[Winnisquamguy]

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

I can't think of very many reasons why we would pack-up and leave the area but that surely would be one.

Are you against casinos all together or just not in your backyard?
I would love to see casinos in NH, to me the Weirs is just to small and no direct highway access. Seabrook or Rockingham would be ideal because they are both close to highways and have large parcels of land.

[songkrai]

Originally Posted by Winnisquamguy

Are you against casinos all together or just not in my backyard?
I would love to see casinos in NH, to me the Weirs is just to small and no direct highway access. Seabrook or Rockingham would be ideal because they are both close to highways and have large parcels of land.

Well, my biased opinion is that NH fell off the boat on this one. No casinos.

The Weirs, as mentioned above, is too small. No parking. No highway link. No place for RV's and busses.

I have read of at least 3 or 4 places. Seabrook track, Rockingham track, Belmont track, and one up in Mount Washington Hotal area. To be done correctly the government has to have tight control - more 'big' government - which NH seems to be against. The NH Lottery Commission has been sold to private enterprise. I suppose the NH Legislature could 'sell' oversight to a private entity but who will oversee that entity? More big government? More high paid or low paid NH government employees?

Then, of course, there is the 'crime' element associated with gambling. Not sure how other states handle this or if this is still an issue.

NH had the first lottery in the country. The claim at the time was that the proceeds would pay for all public education. The results came in a tad short.

But, there are busses that take people from here to Foxwoods on a regular basis. That money should stay in NH.

[LIforrelaxin]

I still haven't seen a response to the question as to whether or not the property was indeed sold... does anyone know for sure? and if so is there any idea of who bought the property?

Like Many others I doubt that a full blown casino would be developed in that area. However I wouldn't be surprised to see a place constructed, that would be tied into a larger casino elsewhere in the state, with some minimal gambling facilities. And rooms banquet rooms for gatherings etc.

It would be nice to see some big money competition come in to complete with the Common Man group and the monopoly they have going in Meredith.

[Gearhead]

The unemployed and seniors can spend their government checks there and we can all enjoy the boost to our economy.

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by Winnisquamguy

Are you against casinos all together or just not in my backyard?

Yes and yes.

[AC2717]

Originally Posted by martbri7

I always thought the Mount would be a great floating casino, plus Funspot would be a great spot also....my feeling though is I would rather have it a little further than the Lakes Region.

Took the words and ideas right out of me

[AC2717]

So does anyone head to the Lodge on Rt 106? I always wanted to check it out, but never stopped, can anyone provide any insight?

[Woodsy]

It has NOT been sold yet.... There are more than few contigencies in the P&S... one big one is a change of use and that would have to go thru the town. I wouldnt get too twisted over anything just yet!

Woodsy

[Mr. V]

Originally Posted by AC2717

So does anyone head to the Lodge on Rt 106? I always wanted to check it out, but never stopped, can anyone provide any insight?

see ...

http://tinyurl.com/447fcwy

[gtagrip]

My office just about abutes the back end of Rockingham Park. All those stables are really starting to fall apart. I can't believe the amount of land those old stables take up not to mention the huge infield withing the race track(which hasn't seen a race in 2 years) and not to mention the huge unused parking all around the track.

I don't know how Rockingham Park can even afford the taxes(if they actually pay any)to be able to support all the land and unused buildings on the property.

I for one, would be in favor of a casino at Rockingham Park. There is so much land not being used currently, how could the state go wrong with this location?

[gtagrip]

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

Yes and yes.

And why is that? I think I will take shot here and guess it's the stigma Casinos received back in the 40's, 50's, & 60's, that they bring in crime. Don't think that is the case so much today.

[SPT13]

Originally Posted by AC2717

So does anyone head to the Lodge on Rt 106? I always wanted to check it out, but never stopped, can anyone provide any insight?

Went once a couple of yrs ago.....it wasnt bad, felt more like a Vegas night at an Elks hall than a casino. It had a bunch of table games, & I think a $4 max per bet.....which can be good & bad!!!! Not a bad night out though

[Seaplane Pilot]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

It would be nice to see some big money competition come in to complete with the Common Man group and the monopoly they have going in Meredith.

Yes, and for more reasons than I will mention here.

[AC2717]

Originally Posted by SPT13

Went once a couple of yrs ago.....it wasnt bad, felt more like a Vegas night at an Elks hall than a casino. It had a bunch of table games, & I think a $4 max per bet.....which can be good & bad!!!! Not a bad night out though

Thank you, one more question

What is charitable gambling and how do you get paid out then

[Shore Driver]

Originally Posted by gtagrip

And why is that? I think I will take shot here and guess it's the stigma Casinos received back in the 40's, 50's, & 60's, that they bring in crime. Don't think that is the case so much today.

It isn't so much that they bring in crime. What they bring is traffic, noise, rude, hurried people, Fung Wah buses idling in parking lots, and addiction.

There is no positive "spillover effect" outside of the self-contained little world inside.

[OCDACTIVE]

Just spoke with my source. He is a neighbor to the Weirs Boardwalk and he confirmed it has been sold. The company has "expressed" interest in revamping it to also include some type of gambling. Perhaps not a full blown casino but maybe slots.

Either way he says it has sold.

Regardless of the "gambling issue". I think it is great that someone has purchased it to revamp the area. It could be a GEM for the area provided the beaurocrats to hold it up with permitting.

Just IMO of course.

PS. I'd have no problem with gambling or a casino.

[WakeboardMom]

Originally Posted by songkrai

Well, my biased opinion is that NH fell off the boat on this one. No casinos.

The Weirs, as mentioned above, is too small. No parking. No highway link. No place for RV's and busses.

I have read of at least 3 or 4 places. Seabrook track, Rockingham track, Belmont track, and one up in Mount Washington Hotal area. To be done correctly the government has to have tight control - more 'big' government - which NH seems to be against. The NH Lottery Commission has been sold to private enterprise. I suppose the NH Legislature could 'sell' oversight to a private entity but who will oversee that entity? More big government? More high paid or low paid NH government employees?

Then, of course, there is the 'crime' element associated with gambling. Not sure how other states handle this or if this is still an issue.

NH had the first lottery in the country. The claim at the time was that the proceeds would pay for all public education. The results came in a tad short.

But, there are busses that take people from here to Foxwoods on a regular basis. That money should stay in NH.

The locations listed by SongKrai were all on the table when the bill came before the legislature. There was a location in Hudson, NH that was almost guaranteed to be given one of the liceneses, should the bill have been passed. (The piece of land was ight off route 3, just over the border from MA, scenic location along the river, it had all the right components.) The crime issue was one of the factors in the defeat of the bill. There was a lot of testimony against the bill that offered opinions about "crime," "quality of life," etc.

I personally am not a gambler, and I agree with many of the points against allowing it in our state (and my town). But the gamblers have plenty of options, so perhaps we should've been able to cash in on all that loot.

It's a moot point for the time being.

[SPT13]

Originally Posted by AC2717

Thank you, one more question

What is charitable gambling and how do you get paid out then

It wasnt charitable gambling, just felt like I was at one, because you are in a small hall. I think it was a $4 max bet, which gave it that feel as well. They had dealers & pit bosses, & you do get pd in cash.
Just no lights & sounds like a large casino, & no free drinks while you played.
Played " let it ride" for a few hrs & broke even. GF hit for $200 , so it was a fun night. I would recommend checking it out. At the time I think they were only open Thus-Sun

[AC2717]

Originally Posted by SPT13

It wasnt charitable gambling, just felt like I was at one, because you are in a small hall. I think it was a $4 max bet, which gave it that feel as well. They had dealers & pit bosses, & you do get pd in cash.
Just no lights & sounds like a large casino, & no free drinks while you played.
Played " let it ride" for a few hrs & broke even. GF hit for $200 , so it was a fun night. I would recommend checking it out. At the time I think they were only open Thus-Sun

thanks
just that they call themselves charitable gambling, is that just the way to get around gambling laws in NH, or do they acutally donate house winnings again as a way to get around gambling laws

I am going to check it out, it seems like my speed

[gtagrip]

Originally Posted by Shore Driver

It isn't so much that they bring in crime. What they bring is traffic, noise, rude, hurried people, Fung Wah buses idling in parking lots, and addiction.

There is no positive "spillover effect" outside of the self-contained little world inside.

O.K. I get that. I should have clearified. Outside the traffic, noise, rude, hurried people, buses, and addiction, if the casino were to be in Rockingham Park location, how is that location different than it already is?

I get the "nimby" thing.

[Bigstan]

Originally Posted by AC2717

Thank you, one more question

What is charitable gambling and how do you get paid out then

In MA the payouts are also reduced and the rules change. For example pushes lose instead of tie in blackjack, and in roulette a single # hit pays 25 instead of 35 to 1. This pretty much ensures that nobody can win big as the rules are stacked against you even more than normal. I imagine the rules are the same in NH?

[JasonG]

FYI Gaming is legal in NH. Rockingham & Seabrook have not only poker, but blackjack, roulette, craps, let it ride, and a few others. Few other places have come and gone too. The problem is the limit is a $4 bet, except for Poker Tourneys capped at $ 250 & a portion of the profit has to go to charity, which means paybacks are a bit less than expected.

Gaming is legal, just not in the sense of "Foxwoods" or "Vegas"

[John A. Birdsall]

living between Foxwoods and Mohegan sun makes me say no to any casinos, They have brought into the area lots of chinese workers, and they have kids that attend public schools for the most part at no cost to them. They travel on the roads of CT and its at no cost to them. I know of five homes that have twenty families living in them. I am not saying that these are bad people, far from it, but they have caused our taxes to go up. You need to get teachers that can read, write and talk Chinese, and you get others in there as well. And just what do they get paid?