Special Board of Aldermen 07-06-2021 Page 3
through their charitable gaming operations literally, literally many millions of dollars and between the two
well in excess of $10 million into our City’s nonprofits supporting really critical resources.
Now | understand that sports betting will not directly benefit charitable gaming, will not as such directly
have proceeds benefitting charities however, the vitality of these organizations is a function of the product
they have to sell to the public and how interesting it is as a place to go and spend your money. We have
some very competitive organizations just across the border. For example, the Everett Casino down in
Boston is a huge competitor and there’s also competition up in Maine. We really just do not want those
dollars leaving our community if at all possible. So I’d like you to consider putting this on the ballot.
I’d also like to reinforce that we should put some muscle behind communicating what this actually means
this time around so that people aren’t confused when they go to vote. Thank you very much and |
appreciate you entertaining this motion.
Chairman Caron
Thank you. Is there anyone else on Zoom that would like to speak in favor?
Jim Rafferty
Jim Rafferty would like to speak. Can you see me? Can you hear me?
Chairman Caron
Yes. Could | have your name and address please?
James Rafferty
James Rafferty — 52 Main Street, Apt. 404. | am the General Manager of The River Casino and Sports Bar
and in the very near future the Lucky Moose Casino and Tavern at Exit 6 where I’m sitting right tonight.
| wanted to speak in favor of R-21-151. | think it would be good for the City of Nashua. When we look
back at the previous opportunity for folks in Nashua to vote in favor of sports betting, | think there was a lot
of confusion about what people were betting for. | think it’s much clearer now and we need to do a better
job of communicating with all the citizens of the benefits of sports betting for Nashua. The citizens of New
Hampshire, and the New England, and the United States have voted with their feet on sports betting. It’s
extremely popular endeavor and we need to get into this business. When people say they’re going over
the State line to do it, heck with that - Manchester is taking a lot of money out of our pockets by not having
a facility here. So there’s lots of good reasons to do it. My company will support it. We're going to doa
better job of communicating and | really appreciate Mike O’Brien, and Ben Clemons, and Trish Klee for
helping us get this resolution going and | would ask you all to support this resolution. Thank you very
much.
Chairman Caron
Thank you. Okay, once again, anyone else on Zoom who would like to give testimony concerning sports
betting?
Okay seeing none. We will now take testimony in opposition of sports betting. Is there anyone in the
chamber that wants to speak in opposition? Okay.
Looking on Zoom is there anyone on Zoom who wants to speak in opposition of sports betting? Okay
seeing none.
