New Hampshire uneasy with even charitable poker tournaments
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New Hampshire currently allows poker games run by licensed companies (about 300 currently have licenses from the Pari-Mutuel Commission) at approved venues, so long as at least 35% of the profits go to charity.
Texas Hold’em for charity has been increasing since the beginning of the century in New Hampshire and the rest of the US since the early 2000’s, when Texas Hold’em tournaments began to be televised.
Charities are understandably pleased by the increased amount in their coffers, gaming venues enjoy the rental fees, and those companies that put on the tournaments no doubt enjoy their own profits. But some people are concerned, and believe that the 35% minimum to charity established last year still leaves too much money for the companies running the games.
“I’m caught in the same bind most of us are,” Rep. Neal Kurk, R-Weare, says. “On the one hand, yes, gambling is something that some people enjoy doing; it’s a good source of revenue for charities.” But gambling “goes against the cultural grain in New Hampshire. It’s something in our ethos that says you should work for your money and it shouldn’t come as a result from betting.”
Rep. Michael Marsh, D-Greenland, who is on a legislative panel studying the possibility of legalizing gambling, said he wants to increase the 35% minimum to 51%.
“In my view, most of the money should go to the charities. It’s supposed to be for charities, not for operators,” Marsh said.
