Council gets first look at video poker regulations

SANFORD, NH — The town council reviewed a draft ordinance to regulate the operation of electronic video machines in Sanford at their Tuesday night meeting.

The ordinance, which Council Chair Joseph Hanslip emphasized was a rough draft, would stipulate that electronic video games be used for entertainment only and would not reward winning players with "any cash, premiums, merchandise, tickets or something of value" other than free games.

The ordinance would also require board members of the nonprofit organizations operating the games to sign affidavits stating that they are familiar with state and local ordinances governing the games and that they are unaware of the video machines being used for any illegal activity.

The issue of electronic video machines — particularly electronic poker games — paying out in cash has surfaced frequently in Sanford, but as Hanslip said at the Aug. 19 town council meeting, the information has been anecdotal and from secondary sources.

"No primary sources have ever been presented to me... or at a council meeting that payoffs have been made at these video poker machines," Hanslip said in August.

The town council voted in January to gauge public opinion on the video poker machines by putting a non-binding referendum on issue on the November ballot. Two weeks ago, however, councilors rescinded that vote in favor of creating a local ordinance to regulate the video games in clubs.

Most of the private clubs in Sanford and Springvale have electronic video games for their members' entertainment. The machines bring in a lot of revenue for many of the clubs. At the Wolves Club on High Street, for example, the machines have helped the nonprofit organization raise money for Waban Projects. The Wolves Club has donated more than $212,000 to Waban over the last 20 years, according to the club's president.

Other clubs rely on revenue from the machines to help people in need, donate to Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets and pay operating expenses.

The draft of the proposed ordinance is essentially the state law, which regulates licensing of the machines, with some additions.

Councilor Alan Walsh said he would like to see an increase in the licensing fee for the video machines, perhaps as much as $1,000. The license fee is currently $50.

Councilors discussed possible penalties for violations of the local ordinance, including fines and license suspensions. But Norman Hutchins, manager of the Wolves Club, pointed out that the Town has always had the option to revoke a club's license to operate the machines.

The council decided to form a subcommittee to work on the draft of the local ordinance. There was general agreement to Councilor Maura Herlihy's suggestion that the managers of several of the clubs be invited to a subcommittee meeting.

Fosters - Sandford News

News Added: 04 September, 2008

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