A new gambling facility has opened up in New Hampshire, and while it is far from the size of the facilities found in neighboring states, it is nevertheless a welcome opportunity for local players of Nashua. New Hampshire is not traditionally a state open to the idea of casinos, and legislators have rejected the idea of opening one time after time. However, it has been recognized that the public enjoys its gambling entertainment and efforts have been made by the state’s Racing and Charitable Gaming Commission to accommodate this.
In August, Rockingham Park shut down and Boston Billiard Club on Nashua’s Northeastern Boulevard decided to step in and expand its facility. The club, which now known as the Boston Billiard Club and Casino, includes offerings such as 15 poker tables, blackjack, roulette and more. A grand opening is scheduled for this Thursday, although a soft-landing to give the facility its final green light, was held on Friday.
“With the closing of Rockingham in August, it was a really big opportunity to take forth a gambling operation here,” said Jeffrey Smith the casino operations manager of Boston Billiard Club and Casino. Smith explained that the club’s owner has held a gaming license issued by the Racing and Charitable Gaming Commission for quite some time, and saw it as a rare opportunity to expand the club.
All card rooms and gaming clubs in New Hampshire – ten in total – are licensed by the Gaming Commission, with a significant part of their revenues heading to local charities. State laws dictate that 35% of the revenue generated has to be donated to state charities, while 55% goes to operating and management costs. The state sees another 10% of the money.
While players naturally get to keep their winnings, they are limited to how much they are entitled to wager. Poker is limited to $5 per hand, and legislation also dictates that a player may not throw more than $500 into the pot. Single bets are limited to $4 at a time.
The Boston Billiard Club and Casino will donate proceeds from the first ten days of the casino’s operation to the Boys and Girls Club of Nashua, considered the biggest charity in the city. Smith noted that the charity was “really excited to be a part of it [the opening of the casino].”
