The city council in Lawrence, Massachusetts claims the recently-approved gaming property in nearby Salem, New Hampshire could lead to drugs, poverty, and sex trafficking.
The charitable casino is to be located in a former Lord & Taylor store at The Mall at Rockingham Park. It was approved last month by Salem’s Planning Board.
But the Lawrence City Council passed a resolution against the casino prior to the Salem Planning Board vote.
Low Income, Elderly, Disabled at Risk
[T]he business model for the proposed Rockingham Mall casino relies heavily on targeting the financial desperation of Lawrence’s low-income workers, elderly, and disabled,” the Lawrence resolution read, according to Boston TV station WBTS.
Many of the city’s vulnerable residents “will be lured with free bets and other incentives to drive to the casino four to five times a week,” the statement added. “This life-changing addiction causes the kind of human misery like very few things can including significant increases in rates of personal bankruptcy, divorce, domestic violence and, gambling addiction has the highest rate of suicide of any addiction.”
The new casino is located some 6.6 miles from Lawrence, Mass.
When complete next year, the $160M Live! Casino will include over 900 historical horse racing machines, some 40 tables, a sports lounge, restaurants, and a bar. A hotel could be added later.
Local Opposition
During a Salem Planning Board meeting, several concerns about the project also were raised by Amy Manzelli, a lawyer representing neighboring property owners Jamie and Chris Cummings.
Issues Manzelli raised include public safety, traffic impact, lighting impact, and additional impacts on pedestrians and bicyclists. Other concerns were raised about a prior deed restriction that forbids gambling at the location.
But, many members of the public speaking at the meeting were supportive of the casino.
“Ten years ago, the town voted in support to bring this type of facility to town,” Salem Town Council Chair Joe Sweeney said. “This is an exciting time and something the town has wanted for a bit. This is a positive development [and] I am supportive of.”
The former Lord & Taylor store located near the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border has been vacant since 2020.
Based on current projections, the casino will generate approximately $31M in revenue each year to the state of New Hampshire and approved charities. Once open, it also will create more than 700 permanent jobs.
Developers of the project are Joe Faro and Sal Lupoli, as well as the Cordish Companies.
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