Special Board of Aldermen 10-12-2021 Page 4
Alderwoman Lu
Okay. Thank you.
President Wilshire
Anyone else? Seeing none, thank you very much Mr. Mcintyre. We appreciate you being here answering questions.
| am going to open up the public hearing at 7:12 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING
Shall the City of Nashua allow the operation of sports book retail locations within the City of Nashua?
TESTIMONY IN FAVOR
Giovanna Bonilla
Good evening. I’m Giovanna Bonilla. | reside at 5 Hopi Drive here in Nashua. I’m here to speak in support of ballot
question #1. So early in 2019, New Hampshire passed legislation allowing mobile towards betting in the State. That’s
happening today all over New Hampshire, including Nashua. | think that’s where a bit of the confusion came in on the
previous ballot question. People did not understand that it was already legal. | could place a bet from this podium right
now — | won't — but it is legal.
So in the legislation, they allowed each city and town to vote on if they would allow local retail sports book for in-person
bets to be placed. Almost 2,000 cities and towns have since voted to allow retail sports book locations. Currently
Manchester and Seabrook are the only two to have operational retail sports book. Charlie spoke to this — they want to pick
the best places. That makes sense so clearly being a border town if given the opportunity we have a great opportunity
there to be one of them. So | think it’s a missed opportunity if we don’t pass this.
A retail sports book would indirectly benefit our local nonprofits. Anyone that’s going to come and want to bet on a game
and hang out, they're going have drinks, they're going to get some food, they might, you know, play a game which all
benefits the charitable gaming at the charitable gaming locations, which is where these sportsbooks seem to be going into
because the security is in place. It’s already monitored by the Lottery. The audits are done frequently. We just had one
ourselves. This would draw people over the border and keep dollars to be spent here in the Gate City. People coming out
to check out the sports book would likely try their hand at the games and a sports book would also create more jobs right
here in Nashua. It’s my hope citizens of Nashua will join me in voting yes on question #1. Thank you.
President Wilshire
Anyone else wishing to give testimony in favor?
TESTIMONY IN OPPOSITION
President Wilshire
I’m going to open it to testimony in opposition. Is there anyone that wishes to give testimony in opposition? Seeing no
one.
TESTIMONY IN FAVOR - None
TESTIMONY IN OPPOSITION - None
President Wilshire closed the public hearing on sports betting at 7:15 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY ALDERMAN O’BRIEN THAT THE OCTOBER 12, 2021, SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF
ALDERMEN BE ADJOURNED, BY ROLL CALL
