Weirs Casino Considered
 

The Laconia Planning Board approved initial language that would allow casinos in the Weirs area.

From the Laconia Sun:

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...c17cc53c9.html

Anything goes in Laconia. The Weirs is their nomadic child with adhd and perpetual inability to understand its identity.

Casinos bring $$$$$ but also corruption. So, all that extra money made will be spent on crime prevention.
Personally, I think it's better to not invite crime to begin with rather than try to corral it after the fact. I'm not a gambler so, JMO.

Very true. In addition the ship making money on casinos sailed years ago.at this point they are overbuilt and under attended. People won’t drive from Manchester to a cold and lonely Laconia in February when they can go into vibrant Boston or a weekend in Foxwood for gambling ,entertainment and great dining. What will happen is the locals will hang out and blow their social security checks. Other then that it’s a great idea.

........... there goes the neighborhood.

It wasn't great to begin with...

There is a casino going into the defunct Lilac Mall in Rochester. That should be a mess.

C harity gaming?
 

I presume this means charity gaming, not a Foxwoods style facility. I can think of other spots in Laconia where such an operation might be beneficial. Instead of a zoning change to the Weirs, allowing "performance based zoning" or "by special exception" would make more sense to me. As a non-profit, I think the Veteran's Association could run a casino-like operation now, if they thought it would be profitable. I bet they've talked about it and rejected the idea.

"An illusion of Charity"
 

"The Hidden Threat of Charitable Gaming in New Hampshire" ....... http://www.lkarno.com/post/the-hidde...-new-hampshire ..... Aug 21, 2024

"Maximum wagers at NH casinos raised, as gambling regulations continue to loosen" ...... http://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2023-06-...inue-to-loosen ..... June 28, 2023

They may sponsor nights in Belmont.

That is hilarious, but somewhat true.

And the only person who has show interest in opening up a casino in the Weirs has multiple liquor licenses cancelled and others rejected. Not a great look Laconia


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Gaming = gambling. Excising the b makes it sound much more euphemistically anodyne. Is there a Gamers Anonymous? [emoji38]


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I sure hope not; "charity" gaming been done at the defunct Belmont dog track, and it has failed.

There are other parties interested besides Santagate. He will have a tough go of it, I think that Laconia as well as the state liquor commission wants him out.

Does there need to be a Casino on Lakeside Ave? Why not encourage development on Endicott , with larger plots of land, better roads to handle traffic and parking.

Exactly


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Casino
 

This is a terrible idea. Casino gambling is not the answer for the Weirs area, it would ruin the area. Check out the quality of life and socioeconomic conditions of places like Reno, Nevada or Atlantic City, NJ, I can tell you they aren't pretty!

Agree. Would also take away from the limited parking currently available during the summer months


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I wish for the demolition of the Half Moon cottage and the resurrection of the grand hotel.


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The defunct Surf Coaster would be a good site for a casino, and hey, I think it's still for sale.

Lots of acreage, near the waterfront.

Gambling attracts undesirable ps, too
 

My Dad landed a security role as Harrah’s broke ground in Atlantic City and worked there until early 90s when he retired. At the beginning I mentioned casinos attract thieves, prostitutes, drug dealers, drug addicts, alcoholics, mafia/organized crime and more.

He vehemently argued I was wrong for the first few years.

But I was correct and he later admitted it in so many words having witnessed it firsthand.

The Weirs has most of that already.

Springfield Ma was in need of funds so they allowed a casino to be built. Now they are spending those funds on crime prevention.
Springfield is still a dump, only now it's a dump with a casino!

We have the casino in Belmont.
There has been crime, but not an outrageous amount.

I LOVE SANDWHICH NH. quite on the river cant see my neighbors. taxes are higher but well worth it.

N.H. charitable gambling has the enticing ability to corrupt ... http://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2025-01-...-casino-appeal.... Jan 8, 2025 ..... some of the local N.H. politicians. Some cannot resist the attractive chance for the big money. They get addicted to gambling.

Problem?
 

Problem?

Dial 1-800-GAMBLER or...

Text: 800GAM


:rolleye2:

Some of you folks (not just gravy boat) are pretty vocal and down right nasty with your opinions about casinos. Please remember I'm sure there's plenty of readers of this forum who have had friends, relations, even children or parents that have had an issue with alcohol, drugs, etc. I have no idea or real opinion either way whether these establishments "attract" these types of folks, even if I did I'd keep such opinions to myself. You should feel blessed you've never had a loved one or simply a friend with one of these problems. :rolleye1:

I believe FUNSPOT has been looking and waiting for this to happen. Plenty of parking, great exposure, easy access. I also believe selling has been on the back of the owners minds as well.

Bring it on... New Hampshire has been losing to out of state companies for years, Let's continue with a Casino and see where that bring us. A Lot of retired people around to man it, not sure hiring would be a problem.

Belmont isn't "out-of-State" is just a few miles down 106

Funspot would be ideal location


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Are you thinking about removing the current building which is sub standard at best along with all the kids games and building on that site ?
Mixing slot machines, craps tables, smoke filled card tables , the drinking that comes with gambling anywhere close to the kids current use would be a disaster. Take a ride down to Springfield and see if the clientele is in line with 6 year olds playing pinball.

Agree. But the previous poster noted they are looking to sell. Have no idea if that’s true. What do you care what others do with their property or business?


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Picture this, the Half Moon motel gets sold to a developer to build a new large Grand Hotel , now able to have a casino, all those people that recently bought one of those new condo's behind will lose the view of the lake they just paid close to 1 million for. Do you see abatements coming? Maybe the planning board is looking for that Atlantic City look to come to the lakes region.

The "1 car per 90²ft onsite parking" will be the biggest issue for a Weirs Casino. The Casino would have to spend excessive amounts to purchase that land, most likely from owners who do not want to sell.

I have no idea why the City included Lakeside, other than to pander to Tower Hill and Co. From what I hear he has enough headaches. SurfCoaster would be a better fit, plenty of property for a Casino and even a hotel.

Woodsy

Personally I would like to see the Lakes Region concentrate on attracting people to the area who are coming for the natural beauty, lakes, and outdoor activities and put casinos elsewhere where they can be the main attraction and focus.

The own the land where the old Monkey Trunks was and all the other parking around the Bingo Hall, which is what I would think would be converted to a casino

The ''casino'' would just be charitable gaming.
I haven't bothered to look at Belmont, but I doubt that the parking lot becomes anywhere close to full even during tournaments.

The gaming basically requires a charity partner to partner while the location hosts the event.

It isn't lucrative by any means, and more creates a type of moat around the basic business of the bar/grille.

No one after seeing what has happened to the other locations is going to build for that specified purpose.

The Funspot bingo hall was built for a possible casino transition location by the Lawton family back in the day when NH was debating state-wide gambling.

This is absolutely true. Bob always thought outside the box even when he was in politics. A Hotel/Casino would be a " Destination Spot " for many. I say this would be great for the Lakes Region and hopefully bring in a ton out Out Of State Cash into our Local Economy.

Just look at what Meredith looks like now after investing millions into it. It's a Great Success, Let's just hope Laconia and Rusty can make this Happen.

I can imagine the bitching now about traffic in the Weirs if a Casino is actually built. Traffic backed up from the circle to Lakeport on RT 3


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They won't build a casino.
They would have charity gaming at the bar/grille.

Meredith doesn't have a casino and if it ever allowed one, I'd be
putting my house up for sale in a heartbeat!
I'm glad I don't live near the Weirs or Funspot!

Strip clubs next.

No politician understands the "unintended consequences" of most of their decisions.

That would be King's Grant in Gilford during Bike Week.
I think they reference it as exotic dancing.

Yes their use of “exotic dancing” must have really increased the odds of more people coming to see it. lol. Like using “porn star” instead of video prostitute. Oh wait, “sex worker “. 🤣


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Do they still exist? I went there once. Never made that mistake again for reasons best left unsaid.

For many decades I have heard "The Weirs" with "sleaze" the dominant adjective.

Inserting a "casino" may put "sleaze" on steroids...

Billion dollar waterfront going to waste, IMO.

I think the term ''exotic dancer'' was used to get the permit for the ''event''.
I am not sure the Grant is still active. I only remember it from the papers.

The Weirs is famous for Bike Week and everything that it symbolizes.

The Lakes Region Casino is sort of only famous for having problems making enough money to pay its property taxes.

The current owner is a trust fund from Nevada. But I am pretty sure that is a front for locals that wanted to keep the property from being developed into something less fitting; but haven't found the final use they would deem appropriate.

Endicott east & Weirs Blvd
 

The zoning change request is specifically for this area not where Fun Spot is located. What is available there ?

Oh. For the Good Lords Sake. They are called professional exotic dancers.

And are mostly college kids trying to pay for the exorbitant tuition costs today.

Come on down to Florida and we will do some research and get to the bottom of this . But my sources tell me the Tampa establishments on Dale Mabery don’t have a lot of PHD candidates. The ladies offering private encounters at the Hard Rock Casino might be on a list but it’s not the deans list.

I understand completely. That's what your daughter told me...She agreed with you.

... just for the fun of it
 

You know the bingo hall at Funspot was supposedly a garage for storing vehicles before it got reconstructed into a venue for playing bingo. To qualify for N.H. charitable gaming the charity percentage raised from bingo goes to the annual Miss Lake Winnipesaukee contest, and the Lake Winnipesaukee Museum located nearby on D.W Hgwy-Rt 3, just up the hill.

Looking at all the cars parked at the bingo hall, it attracts a happening number of bingo players.

Looking at the success of bingo at that spot, a gambling casino with slots, table games, floor show onstage, drinks and food could totally hit the spot, there, and draw in players from all over, big time, looking for fun and winnings.

Hells bells, I'd probably even go there, myself, and try my luck at playing some table poker, just for the fun of it ..... :cool:

:patriot: ..... Like, why not build a big happening casino with charity gambling at The Fun Spot?

Whither New Hampshire?
 

New Hampshire deemed "America's Safest State":

https://www.islands.com/1756851/city...oor-adventure/

That can be changed.

:look:

Will student loan forgiveness help them quit?
:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::emb::emb::emb::emb:

Glad to find out we have folks on this forum that frequent these types of establishments all over the country on a regular basis. And to take the time to interview on a personal basis these employees.

Charitable Casino
 

I read recently that there is a new casino opening in North Conway. It will be in the same strip mall as the NH Liquor Store. The owner also has casinos in Manchester, Dover, Keene and Lebanon. I never realized how many casinos are out there.

The article in the Conway Daily Sun mentioned the breakdown for charitable casinos. The breakdown for revenue under the state’s regulations are 55 percent for the house, 35 percent for charitable organizations and 10 percent to the state of New Hampshire.

haha No they are called strippers because they are strippers. They might call themselves exotic dancers like stewardesses call themselves flight attendants and janitors call themselves custodial engineers, but normal people call them what they are, strippers.

The addition of “professional” was a nice touch though. lol. Is there a farm team of amateurs going through rigorous training to hopefully become professionals someday with hard work and dedication? ��


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It used to be 60 for the charity and 40 for the house with nothing for the State.

But the casino has to do a lot of work with the application and background checks not just for their staff, but the charity's staff.

Sort of...
Usually starts at the wet T-shirt level in the US, while overseas its is more of the dry t-shirt with string bikini bottoms.

Actually, yes...
 

Yes, apparently there is a farm team of amateurs. :laugh: There is the Millenium Cabaret Lounge here in Bedford that has "amateur night" once a week. :eek:

Good to read we still have at least one with a sense of humor posting here !

I think they refer to the amateur organization as the " Bush Leagues" !

As "The Professor", is this a class you teach? :D

Definitely the best post of the day. [emoji3]


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Just WOW...

Decision delayed until Spring
 

“This council needs to look at a lot more than what we’ve been able to look at at this point, so I move to table this until May,” Cheney said.

From the Laconia Sun:

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...c0b40d938.html

I chuckled pretty hard when Flanagan suggested that the Weirs might be more like Meredith or Wolfeboro.

From the article:

" I don’t think it’s the correct spot to have any type of casino in that beautiful tourist area."

I wouldn't exactly classify the Weirs as a beautiful area! Some of things I have witnessed down there makes my head spin. They don't call it Weird Beach for nuthin'.

:D

The Weirs should be re-organized as a Village District stretching from e.g. White Oaks Road to the Tamarack. Thinking of it as the beach and a few hundred yards north will never work.
More like Meredith and Wolfeboro? I'd be happy to have their docking facilities in Laconia.

Center Harbor's tourist trade appears to be growing. Can't wait to see the Laconia City Council wiping egg off their face when the Mount, et al, announces CH will be their new permanent year round home port.

While I agree, a casino will only make it worse.

You can't make that place worse.

When I am in other parts of the country and mention I am from New Hampshire, people open a conversation with me about Lake Winnipesaukee.

As soon as they get specific, and I mention being born in Laconia...
The room clears.

If I stated I was from Meredith or Wolfeboro, things would be different.

Laconia chose to make the Weirs what it is today, and has made that choice over and over.

Long gone are the days of the Big Bands and the Fine Dining.

Disagree John, the city’s hands are tied very tight because of the veterans homes, current commercial property owners unwilling to upgrade or sell the families “cash cow” and poorly run establishments. There has been new money being invested over the past few years hopefully that pushes out others. Until then we enjoy it as it is


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Of course they could.
Meredith is focused around boating.

Laconia could go upscale just by voiding some events in the Weirs for others...

Even my trip on the Mount could have been slightly upgraded. Maybe use a string quartet rather than a rock/pop band, table service rather than buffet, and other minor things.

It is about setting the expectation that leads the way.
The reason a casino is being considered (and Belmont is really quiet) is that the owners proposing it are expecting a certain type of clientele.

If they were expecting the clientele of Monaco, that would be an upgrade; and fit in nicely with the boating culture.

Hands tied? Every time the city rolls out the red carpet for Bike Week, or even entertains the notion of something like a casino, they make an active decision to maintain the current vibe and discourage development similar to Meredith and Wolfeboro.

We can debate whether this stuff is good or bad, but let's not pretend there's nothing the city can do to influence the situation--they are doing it

An event is always going to be more problematic than a seasonal undertaking.

A business has to focus on a short term barrage of customers rather than the steady repeat customers that can build a solid foundation.

Not always.

Farm stands sell seasonally and make a profit; Spirit Halloween is only open for a short time before Halloween and they seem to do fine.

Events have a large surge of participants in a short period of time.
Much harder than if that is spread over a season.

Bike Week gears up with temporary tents and vendors, which is not conducive to investment in brick and mortar structures.

Alternative To (800) GAMBLER...
 

Problem?

Dial (888) ADMIT-IT

:eek2:

The crime isn't related directly to the gambling.

Under previous ownership, they had some money laundering through overseas markets.

Other than that, it is the same criminal activities that exist at many bars throughout the area.

casino
 

in case you all didn't know We have at least 5 charity casino's in NH all ready and they are doing well. I wish they would turn into real casino's. we are missing out on a lot of money. 3 in Nashua, the Phansant Lane mall is opening a 2 story one. then there are 2 more around Nashua and one in Manchester and one in Belmont. so there here and have been here for quite a few years. what matters the most is who runs them. There will be drugs and crimes everywhere no matter what. Laconia is a hot mess and has been for many years. people need year round jobs up here and that would bring in a lot.

I didn't mean to hit the thanks button. I disagree completely!
Like I said before, Springfield Mass was a hot mess, and it's still a hot mess now, just with a casino. I was just there a week ago. the new casino has brought nothing to city to change its direction!
I say no to a casino at Weirs or anywhere close to the lake. Let them put it downtown Laconia, that's already a hot mess!

Downtown Laconia is going to be cleaned up...

That is one of the reasons that the proposal to move Pumpkinfest to the Weirs was put in.

But if people want to gamble. Belmont is full service of what is allowed in NH.

"Downtown Laconia is going to be cleaned up", ha,ha, how many times have I heard that?

Where at the Weirs?
 

As I think about it, Funspot is about the only site suitable for a casino that is stil;l really "Weirs" It's too bad Shangri-La/Brickyard Mountain Inn was re-developed with McMansions. That would have been a nice site for hotel, casino, nice restaurants, etc.
Those houses have great views, but guess what? After a few weeks living there, you don't notice the view except when bragging to guests. Maybed you could transform the Winnipesaukee Pier, but I don't think it's big enough. Maybe the Drive-in?

It doesn't grow into something like that.
Funspot without the other items would just look like Belmont - largely an empty parking lot.

The City of Laconia is absolutely moronic if they think a Casino on Lakeside Ave is even remotely viable! There is very limited public parking as it is, and a Casino would further stress that situation. The SurfCoaster property would be a better fit, or possibly the old Lobster Pound/70 North property. They could definitely put one in the Drive-In, but god only knows what you'll find there once you start digging!


Woodsy

Putting a "charity" casino is a non-starter.

Who would want to go there for the lousy games and lousy odds offered when a trip to Mass. allows "real casino gambling?"

You hit the nail on the head. Could not hav said it any better.