Daily Archives: October 13, 2023

By GARRY RAYNO, InDepthNH.org

CONCORD Concord Casino owner and former state Sen. Andy Sanborn sought a two-month delay for an administrative hearing to contest regulators findings that he is unsuitable to hold a charitable gaming license.

On Thursday in Merrimack County Superior Court, Judge Martin Honigberg granted Sanborn a temporary restraining order to delay the hearing scheduled for the next day by the New Hampshire Lottery Commission, which oversees charitable gambling in the state, and its chair Debra M. Douglas.

Sanborns attorneys sought the delay to review hundreds of pages of documents generated by the Attorney Generals investigation into Sanborns suitability to hold a gaming license.

The investigation alleges Sanborn committed COVID-19 relief fraud by accepting a $844,000 federal COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan and buying three race cars with the money, paying the casinos rent to the building he owns for more than three years in advance and other allegations.

Casinos were prohibited from accepting COVID loans under the economic injury program, but Sanborns application omitted the casinos name and changed the business description to Miscellaneous Services.

Zachary Hafer, Sanborns lawyer, noted in the affidavit that Sanborn hired a third-party to produce the loan application, and that person needs to be found and interviewed.

Investigators also allude to complaints filed against the Concord Casino that prizes were lowered during games, there were discrepancies in donations to charities, some earned less than the 35 percent of gross revenue state law requires, there was a sliding scale for rent charges to charities, surveillance cameras were inoperable at times or had wrong time stamps and table game dealers made errors.

In light of the allegations, Attorney General John Formellafound Sanborn was not suitable to hold a charitable gaming license nor a license to hire employees at his casino, which is in the same building as The Draft restaurant and bar, he owns with his wife Rep. Laurie Sanborn. She is the Bedford Republican House Speaker Pro Tem, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee and was chair of a commission studying the effects of changes in charitable gambling laws which include increasing the waging limit from $10 to $50 and the per game limit from $150 to $2,500.

She resigned as chair of the gaming study commission after regulators announced that her husband was unfit to hold a casino license.

In an affidavit filed Thursday before the court hearing, Sanborns attorney Hafer, seeks the two-month delay to review the investigation documents, noting they have just received the information and hired a forensic auditor to review the material.

He said the additional time is needed to present Sanborns case before the Lottery Commissions administrative hearing, and is complicated by a criminal investigation the Attorney Generals Office opened and also referred to the US Attorneys Office in New Hampshire.

However, Assistant Attorney General Mark DellOrfano, representing the commission, said they believe the hearing is a show cause case where Sanborn would try to prove the investigationwas incorrect and said the state did not plan to call witnesses or make other fillings.

He was concerned extending the administrative hearing for two months would come up against a deadline at the end of the year when Sanborns licenses to operate the Concord Casino would automatically be revoked, which could create additional legal problems.

Discussions over the time extension occurred during preliminary hearings before the commission on Sept. 22 and 27 prior to the originally scheduled administrative hearing date of Oct. 3.

The commission was willing to postpone the hearing for 10 days until Oct. 13, but Sanborn and his attorneys sought the temporary restraining order in Merrimack County Superior Court the day before the hearing.

At one of the preliminary hearings, Douglas expressed concern about allowing the situation to drag out saying it was affecting the commissions brand.

She also expressed concern that Sanborn had only recently hired Hafer to represent him, when he had to know what was coming from the investigation.

Sanborn had hired an attorney before, but the attorney left the case due to a conflict of interest, according to the affidavit.

Hafer contends the state has not provided needed informationto allow Sanborn and his attorneys to craft his defense in order to retain his licenses.

As of the date of this filing, many issues that are critical to Plaintiffs defense remain outstanding, Hafer writes. By way of example, Plaintiffs have not yet had the opportunity to speak with or evaluate potential witnesses, and the AAG has not yet responded to any of Plaintiffs discovery requestsdespite repeated follow-up. Nor has the AAG responded to Plaintiffs letters regarding the AAGs receipt and disclosure of the Prohibited Materials.

The Attorney Generals Office notes the temporary injunction does not dispute the facts in the case.

We disagree with the positions that the licensee takes in its filings. The office did appear at the court hearing and objected to the licensees request to delay the licensing hearing. We will review the judges order and will continue to work to move this forward, said Michael S. Garrity, Director of Communications. The temporary injunction from the Merrimack Superior Court did not in any way dispute the findings or the merits of the investigation into the Concord Casino, but rather was specific to the timing for the hearing.

Sanborn proposed a larger charity gambling facility on Loudon Road in Concord which was recently approved by the Concord Planning Board, but the decision is being litigated by neighbors of the proposed facility.

Sanborn, a Bedford Republican, served in the state Senate forfive terms, and left to run unsuccessfully for Congress in 2018.

Garry Rayno may be reached atgarry.rayno@yahoo.com.

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Andy Sanborn's Attorney Says State Has Failed to Produce Documentation in Casino Case - InDepthNH.org

BREAKING NEWS

The young man, 18, was taken to an Everett hospital. A suspect description had not been made public.

EVERETT A teenager was wounded in a shooting Friday afternoon in south Everett.

The young man, 18, suffered a gunshot wound around 1:25 p.m. on East Casino Road near Cascade High School, according to the Everett Police Department.

He was taken by ambulance to Providence Regional Regional Medical Center Everett.

It was initially reported as a drive-by shooting.

Everett Police checked the area with a K-9 and it is believed there are no suspects on or near the CHS campus, police wrote on Facebook.

The teen was not a student at Cascade and the school was not in session at the time of the police response, according to police.

Everett officers blocked off about a half mile of Casino Road, from 7th Avenue SE to Kossuth Avenue, as they searched for the shooter.

A suspect description had not been made public.

The gunfire was about 1 miles east of the scene of a shooting Sept. 8 that killed one boy, 15, who had been waiting for a school bus. The September shooting was believed to be connected to gang violence.

Police had not released any information about a motive in the Friday shooting.

A K-9 is used at the suspected scene of a shooting to track a potential suspect that was reported by witnesses to have fled on foot on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett police officers mark evidence along East Casino Road in front of Cascade High School on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett police officers survey the scene of a shooting along East Casino Road on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

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Teen wounded in gunfire near Cascade High School; shooter at-large | HeraldNet.com - The Daily Herald

Gaming revenue for the Danville Casino dipped slightly again last month, but remained well above its counterpart in Bristol.

The temporary facility brought in about$19.14 million in September, down from the$19.63 million posted in August.

The Virginia Lottery released the figures Friday.

The casino in Bristol another temporary site with more slots and tables brought in $12.71 million. Danville's gaming establishment has consistently beat Bristol revenues since it opened May 15 in Schoolfield.

The Danville Casino is housed in a giant tent-like structure while construction continues on a full resort expected to open by late 2024.

On a daily basis, cranes dot the Danville skyline beside three iconic smokestacks reminiscent of a textile mill that once stood on the site as crews work on the $650 million Caesars Virginia endeavor that includes a hotel.

A slot machine awaits players at the new Danville Casino in Schoofield.

So far, July was the biggest month with$21.4 million collected.

The city's tax revenue share from theDanville Casino also nudged down slightly last month to $1.14 million compared to $1.17 million in August, the lottery reported.

However, anarrangement with Caesars Virginia means the city gets 2.5% of the companys gaming revenue up to $200 million. That's in addition to gaming tax revenue generated.

Last month, that equates to $478,534, making the total collection for the city closer to $1.62 million for the month.

When the gaming revenue rises above $200,000, the city's percentage will increase.

Breaking it down, about $14.25 million came from the 818 slot and $4.88 million was collected from the 25 table games.

When it opens next year, the full casino will have about 1,400 slot machines and table games.

Meeting and convention space will total 40,000 square feet with an entertainment venue to accommodate up to 2,500 guests. There also will be restaurants and bars.

Since the May 15 opening in Danville, the casino has generated nearly $90 million in gaming revenue.

The Rivers Casino Portsmouth again led the state with $20 million collected last month.

All threeVirginia casino locations totaled $51.9 million, according to the lottery.

Charles Wilborn (434) 791-7976

cwilborn@registerbee.com

@CWilbornGDR on Twitter

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Danville Casino revenue dips slightly again in September, but still ... - GoDanRiver.com

Some Detroit casino workers have endured COVID-19 multiple times. Others are working a second job to make ends meet. One of them is expecting her third child and is concerned about health care losses.

Its a hard thing to have to handle but with the commitment and the love from my community and my co-workers its easy to get through. Thats why we are standing together to fight for what is right for us, said Shataya Thompson of Detroit. The expectant mother and Motor City Casino valet cashier for 14 years fought back tears during the Thursday news conference in Detroit.

Maintaining health care is important to me and what I am fighting for, Thompson said. One of her children was hospitalized for more than 200 days during the pandemic.

On Sept, 29, Detroit Casino Council (DCC) members voted 99% to authorize a strike if deemed necessary by the worker negotiating committee.

That means that 3,700 workers could be hoisting strike pickets signs outside Detroits three casinos Hollywood Casino at Greektown, MGM Grand Detroit and MotorCity Casino as early as Tuesday morning if a settlement isnt reached with management.

Weve helped this industry stay open, get back on its feet, and now the industry is booming but the people who make these casinos run are still struggling, said Nia Winston, UNITE HERE Local 24 president.

Winston said that both sides are far apart.

Were calling on these companies to stop gambling on our livelihoods, she said.

The DCC is composed of five unions: UNITE HERE Local 24, the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 7777, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324 and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters.

We are prepared to strike, if necessary, Winston said.

Following COVID-19 shutdowns, Detroit casino workers sacrificed raises and shouldered heavier workloads so the industry could recover. In the time since the end of pandemic restrictions and the legalization of online gaming, industry revenues have reached a new record high, generating $2.27 billion through in-person and online gaming, according to a DCC press release. By contrast, the total wages paid to workers represented by the Detroit Casino Council at the three Detroit casinos in 2022 were $34 million less than in 2019.

Negotiations on new agreements began in September. Workers are seeking wage increases, strengthened retirement benefits, protections against the implementation of new technology, and other gains to improve jobs in Detroits casino industry.

Striking workers would include a broad range of classifications such as dealers, cleaning staff, food and beverage workers, valets, engineers and others.

We continue to negotiate with the DCC on a new contract that demonstrates our commitment to our employees here in Detroit, Dara Cohen, MGM Resorts International spokesperson, told the Advance on Thursday. We believe that all parties are dedicated to reaching an agreement that works for everyone.

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Detroit casino union leader: 'We're calling on these companies to ... - Michigan Advance

The Durango Casino and Resort opens in just over a month, on November 20, 2023. When it opens, the brand-new property from Station Casinos will boast more than 200 hotel rooms, convention and meeting spaces, a pool, and 15 restaurants and bars. The centerpiece of the Durango Casino (6915 S Durango Drive) will be the Bel-Aire Lounge. Poised to function as a meet-up spot within the Southwest Valley resort, the chic cocktail bar will serve handcrafted cocktails and small plates. Heres a first look at Bel-Aire Lounges menu.

Bartenders will shake and stir cocktails like the Orange Sherbert, a blend of vodka, cantaloupe syrup, coconut water, turmeric, cinnamon orange tea, and topped with a papaya lemon zest foam. The Blue Blossom combines gin, violet syrup, lemon and yuzu juice, rose water, bitters, and egg whites and is garnished with blue flowers. A selection of sweet and savory bites features hamachi tostadas with chile cashew crema, bites of spicy tuna on crispy rice, and spicy Kobe sliders served with fries.

The new lounge by Clique Hospitality, the group behind other local restaurants like Bottiglia Cucina & Enoteca and the Proper Eats food hall, will be located on the resorts main floor. The bar will be furnished with touches of gold and brass and DJs will spin vinyl records across genres of rock, hip-hop, and pop music.

Outside, the Bel-Aire Backyard poolside lounge will feature private cabanas, oversized daybeds, and pool chairs among the backyards palm trees and greenery. The property will also debut with Mijo Modern Mexican Restaurant, a yet-unnamed steakhouse, the 24-hour George Sportsmens Lounge, the beach-style Summer House, and the Eat Your Heart Out food hall.

Heres everything else you need to know about the new Durango Casino.

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Get a First Look at the Durango Casino's Glitzy New Lounge - Eater Vegas

American Gaming Association CEO Bill Miller makes a point during his keynote speech on the opening day of G2E in Las Vegas on Oct. 10, 2023. Jeff Scheid/The Nevada Independent

A study conducted on behalf of the American Gaming Association (AGA) found the national casino industry contributes nearly $329 billion annually to the U.S. economy up 21 percent from the last time the analysis was done in 2018.

The study, the first undertaken in five years by the Washington, D.C. trade organization, was conducted by Oxford Economics and also found that gaming generates $52.7 billion in tax revenue to federal, state and local governments, and provides jobs for a workforce of 1.8 million.

Five years ago, the report found gamings economic impact on the U.S. economy was $271 billion. During the past five years, legal gaming including commercial or tribal casinos, sports betting and online gaming has expanded to 45 states and Washington, D.C.

What hasnt changed is Nevadas place as the leading gaming state.

According to the report, Nevada casinos contributed $59.6 billion to the states economy, supported more than 330,000 jobs and generated $8 billion in tax revenue.

AGA CEO Bill Miller cited Nevadas numbers during his opening remarks Tuesday at the start of the Global Gaming Expo (G2E), the three-day gaming industry trade show and conference at the Venetian Exposition Center.

In Nevada, the gaming industry funds roughly a third of the state's general fund and is the single largest contributor to education spending, Miller noted.

The study allowed the AGA to update and quantify the industrys influence on state and local economies.

Miller said the casino industrys nationwide workforce represents one in every 33 hospitality and leisure jobs across the country meaning more people work in gaming than for the U.S. Postal Service.

Given our significant economic impact, it's no surprise that gaming is funding important community priorities all across this country, Miller said.

California, the nations largest tribal gaming state, produced more than one-quarter of the nations Indian gaming revenue, according to the National Indian Gaming Association. New York, Pennsylvania and Florida rounded out the top five. The AGA only provided individual state revenue totals for Nevada.

Tribal gaming revenues are building a new foundation for economic growth and essential services in tribal and non-tribal communities, Miller said in his remarks.

He said Oklahomas Cherokee Nation is spending gaming profits on health care, while Floridas Seminole Tribe reinvested millions of dollars to support community needs.

Our positive economic community impact is a key business advantage, Miller said.

In a statement, the AGA cited research showing that 71 percent of American adults recognize the economic benefits generated by gaming.

Still, gaming expansion often faces opposition. Several groups are fighting efforts to add casinos in areas surrounding New York City. In North Carolina, residents are opposedto the expansion of sports betting beyond two tribal casinos.

Through July, gaming revenue nationwide is pacing 11 percent ahead of the record $60.4 billion produced in 2022.

This story was published Oct. 11 by The Nevada Independent and is republished here with permission.

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Casino economic impact grows to $329B per year; Nevada remains ... - Northern Nevada Business Weekly

BALTIMORE Marylands six casinos combined to generate $155,097,779 in revenue from slot machines and table games during September 2023, down $4,172,529 (-2.6%) compared to September 2022.

Casino gaming contributions to the state in September 2023 totaled $66,441,145, a decrease of $1,517,500 (-2.2%) compared to September 2022.

Contributions to the Education Trust Fund in September 2023 were $47,848,430, a decrease of $1,505,492 (-3.1%) compared to September 2022. Casino gaming revenues also support the communities and jurisdictions where the casinos are located, Marylands horse racing industry, and small, minority- and women-owned businesses.

Marylands six privately owned casinos offer both slot machines and table games: MGM National Harbor in Prince Georges County; Live! Casino & Hotel in Anne Arundel County; Horseshoe Casino Baltimore in Baltimore City; Ocean Downs Casino in Worcester County; Hollywood Casino Perryville in Cecil County; and Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Allegany County.

The gaming revenue totals for September 2023 are as follows:

MGM National Harbor (2,264 slot machines, 206 table games)

$61,969,980 in September 2023, a decrease of $1,827,059 (-2.9%) from September 2022

Live! Casino & Hotel (3,846 slot machines, 179 table games)

$58,412,443 in September 2023, an increase of $1,578,778 (2.8%) from September 2022

Horseshoe Casino (1,400 slot machines, 122 table games)

$14,451,736 in September 2023, a decrease of $2,808,707 (-16.3%) from September 2022

Ocean Downs Casino (866 slot machines, 19 table games)

$8,733,540 in September 2023, a decrease of $445,485 (-4.9%) from September 2022

Hollywood Casino (663 slot machines, 19 table games)

$6,722,454 in September 2023, a decrease of $335,708 (-4.8%) from September 2022

Rocky Gap Casino (623 slot machines, 16 table games)

$4,807,625 in September 2023, a decrease of $334,348 (-6.5%) from September 2022

Details on each casinos gaming revenues and contributions to the State of Maryland are included in the attached charts, and both fiscal and calendar year-to-date totals are available online (CLICK HERE).

About Maryland Lottery and Gaming

Maryland Lottery and Gaming is responsible for regulatory oversight of the states casinos. In this role, the agency provides direction and guidance to its casino partners on financial, security, regulatory and licensing procedures for the facilities. To keep Marylanders informed and to maintain transparency of casino operations, monthly financial reports are posted on mdgaming.com. Maryland Lottery and Gaming strongly encourages responsible play. Maryland residents can obtain confidential help with a gambling problem at no cost by calling 1-800-GAMBLER or visiting mdgamblinghelp.org.

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Maryland Casinos Generate $155.1 Million In Gaming Revenue ... - Bay Net

Since breaking ground in August 2022, the Caesars Virginia casino resort project is still expected to be complete in late 2024.

The hotel tower is being built, with work underway on the third floor, said Caesars Virginia General Manager Chris Albrecht.

There is also progress on the casino basement including back-of-house areas and the loading dock, Albrecht told the Danville Register & Bee via email Wednesday. There are also a couple of customer surface parking lots near completion.

Danville Casino, the temporary gaming facility operating until completion of the full Caesars Virginia resort, currently has more than 400 employees, Albrecht said.

Construction of the Caesars Virginia casino resort is moving along on schedule, with the facility still expected to open in late 2024.

Right now, we are posting and filling positions for the temporary facility, he said. All these positions will move over to the full resort.

The company will begin posting for positions at the full resort around the middle of next year, Albrecht said.

When asked if Caesars still expects to have the 1,300 employees promised by the company when the full resort opens, Albrecht said its still developing its staffing plan.

We are still building our staffing plan for the permanent facility, but it [the number of employees] will significantly increase the temporary, he said.

Albrecht would not reveal which restaurants would be opening up in the resort.

We will have a variety of great restaurant options for our patrons and plan to share more specifics at a later date, he said.

Construction of the Caesars Virginia casino resort is moving along on schedule, with the facility still expected to open in late 2024.

Once the Caesars Virginia resort is open, the temporary Danville Casino facility, which is being rented, will be returned to its owner, Albrecht said.

Much of the equipment inside the temporary [casino] will move over into the permanent facility, he said.

The temporary casino has increased the number of its games since opening May 15. The facility now has just less than 800 slots, 33 table games, 36 electronic table games and 12 sports-betting kiosks, Albrecht said.

We also recently added a noodle bowl kiosk in our high-limit area for an additional food offering to Three Stacks, he said, referring to the first eatery to open in Danville Casino.

The $650 million Caesars Virginia casino is expected to generate up to $38 million in tax revenue to the city after it is up and running in 2024.

Construction of the Caesars Virginia casino resort is moving along on schedule, with the facility still expected to open in late 2024.

Whiting-Turner is the contractor building the casino resort. The firm also has constructed the Horseshoe Baltimore, as well as projects at Caesars Palace Las Vegas, The LINQ Hotel+Experience Las Vegas, Harveys Lake Tahoe and more.

Plans for Danvilles casino include a destination resort casino with a 500-room hotel.

The casino will feature more than 1,400 slot machines and table games, Caesars Sportsbook and WSOP Poker Room, a live poker room named for and carrying the spirit of the legendary World Series of Poker with 25 tables, Caesars Entertainment has said.

Meeting and convention space will total 40,000 square feet with an entertainment venue to accommodate up to 2,500 guests. There will also be restaurants and bars.

John R. Crane (434) 791-7987

jcrane@registerbee.com

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On schedule: Caesars Virginia casino construction on target - GoDanRiver.com

We all want the best odds when playing casino games. Whether playing slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, or any other casino game, we are constantly looking for the best games that give us a better chance of winning. It's only natural to want to play the Top 5 Joker spu automti ar lielisku laimestu, as scoring big is the ultimate goal. Now, you might wonder, how can you be better at table and card games? Are there any tips to help you win in your online casino games or slots?

To best understand this, you must know the different aspects that determine your chances of winning. You must know all about odds and how it's different from RTP and house edge. Then, you must know a few tips and tricks you can employ during gameplay to increase your winning chance. This is what this article is all about.

Understanding Online Casino Odds

Before you start playing any casino game, whether table, cards, or slot machines, it's crucial you understand the concept of odds. How important are they when it comes to influencing how you win?

Odds in casino games represent the mathematical chance of winning or losing your bet. Some people define odds as the "Basics of the Probability Theory by a Casino" and are usually expressed as a ratio of the number of ways to win. For example, 1:10 or as 1 in 10 chances to win. However, the game will mostly have these figures represented as a percentage, which is the RTP or the house edge, as discussed below.

The Difference Between Odds, Rtp, and the House Edge

The game's odds, Return to Player (RTP) percentage, and the house edge have the same concept behind them. However, they differ slightly based on how they are calculated. Before we look at the tops to help you become a better casino player, let us have a closer look at each of these three parameters.

The Return to Player Percentage (RTP)

As the name implies, the RTP of a game shows you how much to expect from the game. It is a theoretical value that is arrived at after hundreds of thousands of spins, shuffles, and dice rolls. You'll see a game like blackjack with a 98% RTP, meaning you can expect a return of $0.98 for every $1 wagered playing blackjack. Different casino games have varying RTP figures. However, as a rule of thumb, the higher the figure, the better the game.

House Edge

The house edge is the complete opposite of RTP. It is the advantage that the house has any time you are playing the game. So, if a game has a 98% RTP, it means the house edge is 2%. The lower the house edge, the better the chances of winning the game.

Odds

As already mentioned, the odds of any casino game are the likelihood of you winning your bet. For example, if the odds are 1:10 or 1 in 10, it means you have a 10% chance of winning your bet.

The Best Way to Be Better at Table and Card Games

Winning in table and card games requires more than luck. You must have the skill to play the game and know-how of basic game rules to improve your winning chances. You must also understand how the game's odds, RTP, and volatility compare. Other aspects of tips you must be aware of include the following.

Understand the Games Volatility

This especially affects RNG-based games. The volatility of any card or table game refers to how frequently the game pays out. A highly volatile game will pay out small-medium wins more often than big wins. However, when it does pay out the big wins, the prizes tend to be enormous. The opposite is true for low-volatile games.

While the volatility information is usually not readily available in some games, you must do your research before playing the game. Volatility is crucial as it influences how big or small you place your bet.

Have a Bankroll Management Strategy

In online casino gaming, the bankroll simply refers to the amount of money you have to spend. It can be $10, $100, $100,000, $1 million or more. Whichever amount you have, you must have a strategy that guides you on how to stake when playing table and card games online. As a rule of thumb, you must always ensure your bankroll management plan can help you sustain at least 20 back-to-back losses. So, if, for example, you have $100, a sound bankroll management plan dictates you have $5 to spend for every bet.

Play With an Analytical Mind

Possessing quick analytical reflexes offers you an advantage when playing since it helps you decide the best move to make during gameplay. This will help you, especially when playing at some of the offline and online tournaments. In such scenarios, there are many parameters involved: the stress of the competition, spectators watching you play, and stakes involved during gameplay. Knowing that any decision you make can affect your chances of winning leaves players knowing they need to use their analytical minds and remain open-minded in situations if they are to increase their winning chances.

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Probability for Casino Newbies - How to Be Better at Table and Card ... - Baltic Times

Proposal for rental units, senior housing a 'bad deal for Seabrook' Courtesy photo

For the third time in 14 months, the Zoning Board of Appeals denied approving the variances needed to allow The Brooks parent company to build a large multi-unit rental housing development on land behind its casino.

Proposed by the Nevada-based RMH NH, LLC, a company linked to The Brook operator Eureka Casinos, the Sept. 27 proposal before the ZBA was considerably smaller than its first, which called for 334 housing units.

The new proposal called for 233 rental units including 17 free-standing, or 34 two-bedroom, duplexes; 119 units in a four-story building (43 one-bedroom and 76 two-bedroom), and 81 senior housing units in a multi-story building for those 55 or older. The senior housing, officials said, was a concession to lessen the impact the complex could have on the local school student population.

The multi-building complex is intended for 75.6 acres of The Brooks land at 319 Route 107. At the southwest corner of the lot of the former greyhound racing track, the acreage spans two town zones: the rural zone (Zone 1), and the industrial zone (Zone 3), neither of which permits multi-unit housing complexes.

Andre Carrier, president and chief operating officer of Eureka Casinos, told ZBA members the changes made to the plan were from informal meetings with Seabrooks Planning Board and his desire to be a good neighbor to abutters. The new plan reduced the total units and building sizes and increased buffer zones between existing area homeowners.

This complex is not affordable or section 8 housing, Carrier said. It would include 20 units designated as workforce housing, he said, but the remainder of the units would rent at market rate. Carrier said, like the rest of the nation, New Hampshire is short 23,500 housing units priced in a range that working individuals can afford.

At previous meetings, Carrier estimated market rate rents might range from $2,200 to $3,500 for the one- and two-bedroom units.

Carriers attorney, John Cronin, said that according to their real estate consultants, the complex would not negatively impact the property values of abutters. He added that project engineers and Seabrook department heads lead them to believe the town has sufficient water and sewer capacity to accommodate the complex.

Their consultants also estimated that the entire complex would likely result in nine additional students to local schools, Cronin said. Given Seabrooks declining student enrollment, Cronin said, nine additional students are negligible.

As for the projects financial benefits, Carrier said its annual property tax would bring in almost $669,000, plus another estimated $56,000 for annual vehicle registration.

Seabrook residents air concerns about housing project

Several residents rose to address the proposed complex.

The first was Henry Boyd, a long-time resident and president of Millennium Engineering. He is often found testifying before the planning and zoning boards on behalf of clients trying to bring developments to town. This time, however, Boyd opposed this project.

Boyd said time is needed to consider the full impact of a development of this size on the town. The town has little land in its industrial zone, and the project would take away a good deal for residential use, he said.

Seabrook Selectman Harold Eaton rose to challenge the school impact estimates, believing nine new students is too low.

If only 14 of the duplexes or other two-bedroom units contained families with two children, that would be 28 new students to Seabrooks schools, he said. This year it cost $24,000 to educate one Seabrook student, he said. If 28 new students entered the school system, he said that would amount to $672,000 in new education costs, exceeding the estimated property tax benefit.

They say nine (students), Eaton said. I say 28. This is a bad deal for Seabrook.

Deborah Van Dyke, a Maple Ridge Road resident, said she was skeptical about Carriers definition of being a good neighbor. For her, it doesnt include building a four-story building near an established home subdivision.

Further, she said, that if her current experience living with noise caused by The Brook Casino is any example, she doubts how neighborly the apartment complex will be. Every morning shes awakened by noise at the casino, she said, although town regulations require businesses not start until 7 a.m.

Id like your personal phone number so I can call you at 5:30 a.m. when they start up before 7, she told Carrier.

Others rose to complain about the noise and the added burden they believed the complex would place on the towns police and fire departments, schools and traffic flow.

Maple Ridge Road resident Kathy Mackey expressed her concern that the 20 workforce housing units would go to Carriers employees at The Brook, not to Seabrook individuals and families.

Zoning Board sides with the public, rejects project

The variances required to build the complex include allowing multi-family complexes in the rural and industrial zones; permission to exceed the maximum height variance of 30 feet in the industrial zone for the apartment building; and allowing a structure 15 feet from the wetlands, instead of the required 25 feet.

The ZBA has strictly defined criteria when granting or denying variances. These include that the variance, if granted, is not contrary to the public interest, is in the spirit of the ordinance, and that the values of surrounding properties are not diminished. They also look if literal enforcement of the ordinance would result in unnecessary hardship and if substantial justice is done by granting them.

In every instance, the majority of the ZBA voted to deny the requested variances.

The Brook to bring case to NH Housing Appeals Board

Cronin said following the ZBAs first denial of the variances for the 334-unit development, he filed an appeal on Carriers behalf with the states Housing Appeals Board to overturn the decision. Cronin said because Seabrook doesnt have an ordinance that allows for multi-unit housing of this nature, its in violation of the states need for workforce housing.

ZBA Chairman Jeff Brown said in an interview after the meeting that he was aware of the appeal. The town agreed to continuances because Carrier was preparing a new proposal.

Cronin told the board at the commencement of the meeting that if the ZBA approved the variances, Carrier agreed to withdraw his appeal, and waive any damages.

During their testimony, Boyd and others said they viewed Cronins comment as a threat.

According to Cronin, the Rockingham Planning Commission determined Seabrook doesnt supply its share of workforce housing. He appeared confident that the Housing Appeal Board would find in Carriers favor because of Seabrooks lack of a multi-unit housing ordinance and the states housing needs.

The Rockingham Planning Commissions determination was a surprise for Brown. For years, he said, the RPC acknowledged Seabrook had many multiple rental housing complexes, mobile home parks and small home lot requirements, all of which provided a substantial number of lower-cost housing opportunities, especially compared to other Seacoast communities.

Seabrook doesnt have its share of workforce housing when compared to who? Brown said. Rye, Hampton Falls, North Hampton?

Brown said the reason Seabrook doesnt have a multi-housing ordinance is because the town already has several large mobile home parks and many apartment complexes, such as the Governor Weare, Tudor Crest, Admirals Village, Park Place and the former Cimarron, now Rockingham Village, complexes.

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