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The duality of slot machines is that while they can certainly generate much needed income into a state, before they are legalized they can certainly be a divisive issue.  That is exactly what New Hampshire is facing right now as they stand on the brink of serious gambling expansion.

Ed Foley, the President of the New Hampshire State Building and Construction Trade Council summarized the gambling expansion as such: “This project, we believe, will be our own little stimulus program in New Hampshire.”

Opponents of slot machines in New Hampshire take serious issue with Foley’s description.  To be fair, the scale on which New Hampshire is planning to bring in slot machines is by no means “little.”  One proposal plans on bringing 5,000 slot machines to Rockingham Park alone.  That is on par with some of the world’s biggest slot machine casinos: Foxwoods carries 8,000 slot machines and Mohegan Sun carries 6,800 slot machines.

There is also the question of how slot machines will socially impact New Hampshire.  One expert believes slot machines to be among the most dangerous games to be found in gambling.  According to Rhode Island clinical psychologist Robert Breen, he has seen social gamblers develop into full blown gambling addicts in a matter of only 13 months due to slot machines.

Slot machines are perfect for compulsive gamblers.  They share the reputations of being the most fast paced games in a casino as well as the major money makers.  The two reputations may be connected.  Time alone will tell how slot machines will affect New Hampshire.

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