CONCORD, NH- On Thursday Governor Maggie Hassan showed she's serious about the idea of casino gambling in the state. As she presented her 2014-2015 budget which features 80 million dollars that the state would receive in casino licensing fees.

Calling on fellow Lawmakers to compete with Massachusetts by approving a sole gaming facility in the state, Hassan said, “The question is: Will we allow Massachusetts to take revenue from New Hampshire’s residents to fund its needs, or will we develop our own plan that will allow us to address social costs and invest in our priorities”.   

In the event lawmakers fail to approve a casino, they’ll be forced to either cut spending or find a new source of revenue to make up that 80 million dollars.

Currently the Senate has a bill before it which would give a green light to slot machines with that revenue directed to fund Higher education, Highway improvements and development in the North Country.