Rockingham Park was located in Salem, New Hampshire.
Rockingham Park is set to close this week after 110 years in operation. The Salem, New Hampshire racetrack was a site for races involving Hall of Fame thoroughbreds like Seabiscuit and Mom’s Command.
The last time a live race took place in Rockingham Park was in 2009. Since then, the complex has been used for simulcasting and charitable gaming. Despite the continued gambling activities there, the park has been unable to sustain profitability.
New Hampshire Lawmakers Rejected Racino Bill
Rockingham Park had been up for sale since New Hampshire lawmakers rejected a bill which would have allowed casino-style gambling at the park. Senate Bill 516 would have allowed the racetrack to become a racino, but the bill was defeated in March 2016 by an 11-13 vote. Sen. Lou D’Allesandro, a Democrat from Manchester, was the sponsor of the bill.
When the bill failed to pass, Sen. D’Allesandro spoke about the proposal he had sponsored several times over the past 5 years. The longtime state senator’s quote after the defeat of SB 516 struck a somber tone at the time, as the senator knew the importance Rockingham Park’s owners attached to the racino bill.
“This has been a labor I put my heart and soul into for an extended period,” said D’Allesandro, perhaps sensing it was the last chance Rockingham Park had to remain viable.
Failed to Sale in May 2016
Rockingham Park’s owners shopped the racetrack to local developers. In May 2016, it was announced that the park would be sold. The deal fell through, leading to an inevitable closure.
In retrospect, the inability to sale in May 2016 might have been the death knell of the venerable racetrack. With the money from gaming machines, the ownership group was unlikely to be able to go forward. Thus, the inability to find a determined buyer assured that the business would close.
“Gaming at The Rock” Is No More
It is uncertain what will happen to the 35 charitable gaming groups who call Rockingham Park home. The groups came together under the “Gaming at The Rock” banner, but now have to find a new site for their fundraisers. Last year, the charities raised over $2 million for causes in New Hampshire.
Each year, the various charitable groups are able to host 10 gambling events apiece. Many of these are poker nights with Texas hold’em as the featured game. Rockingham Park was a natural location for such gaming, because it is well known and has good facilities and parking.
Greater Salem Caregivers
The Greater Salem Caregivers is an example of the charity groups active at Rockingham. The group was formed in 1989 to give elderly people transportation. Those who deem themselves too old to drive receive free transportation to buy groceries, pick up prescriptions, or visit the doctor’s office. Without Rockingham Park, Greater Salem Caregivers might not be able to operator — or at least generate enough revenues to give 100% coverage to people.
The Greater Salem Caregivers is only one example of the charitable gaming groups which called Rockingham Park their home. Others options are likely to be found, but SB 516 appeared to be a case where legislators could have shown vision in doing the greater good. Instead, a New Hampshire landmark and center of the community has fallen by the wayside.
New Hampshire Politics
New Hampshire politics is a bit of an anomoly. Most New England states are liberal-leaning, even if they occasionally elect a Republican governor. New Hampshire is more evenly split between conservatives and liberals, as evidenced by the political polls which show the US presidential race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump is a virtual tie in New Hampshire.
Most experts view New Hampshire as a state based on moderate politics and a swing state. Until 1992, New Hampshire mostly elected Republicans to office. Since then, the state has leaned towards Democrats. Cook Political Reports lists New Hampshire as a D+1 state, which means Democrats have a slight advantage.
With their town hall meetings and their tradition of hosting the first political primary every four years (Iowa holds the first caucus), it has been said that New Hampshire politics is “the state sport”. Despite the brisk interest in politics, New Hampshire’s elected officials consistently have opposed more gambling venues.
Perhaps because of the level of engagement by the state’s voters, the repeated defeat of pro-gaming bills is a good indication that the people of New Hampshire simply did not care to see venues like Rockingham Park continue.
