Smith Calls Lamontagne Naive About Expanded Gaming

During a GOP forum at Tuscan Kitchen in Salem, gubernatorial candidates Ovide Lamontagne and Kevin Smith outlined their differing positions on expanded gambling in the state.

Lamontagne said that if there is an "interest in redeveloping" Rockingham Park, there needs to be a piece of legislation focused specifically on Rockingham. 

Smith said that the Legislature will not go for a monopoly of one spot at the race track.

"It's just not going to happen," he said. "I think that's part of his naiveté of not knowing state government and how this issue has gone over the last 20 years."

The two spoke for about 15 minutes each, answering questions from the audience.

One member of the crowd questioned Lamontagne on how he would get legislation passed if it were just Rockingham Park.

Lamontagne asserted that Rockingham is the place, and that a conversation needs to happen in the state from a business perspective.

"As a business person you look at the state, you look at the region and you look at the assets," he said. If you were the person that was the CEO of New Hampshire, where would you put expanded gaming? At Rockingham. Why are we hiding from that?"

"I refuse to accept the fact that there is opposition from another part of the state," Lamontagne added. 

What's your take on the question of casino gambling in NH? Is this an issue that will drive your vote?