The state Senate is to consider a proposal next week to create three slot machine centers in the North Country.

The measure would allow three Coos County locations to have 600 video gaming machines each as part of a statewide plan to allow 5,700 machines at the state's race tracks and grand hotels.

The Balsams, Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa and Mount Washington Resort are the most likely locations, according to bill sponsor Sen. John Gallus, a Berlin Republican.

Gallus said the machines would provide the state with much needed revenue.

"Sooner or later New Hampshire needs a new revenue source,"he said. "And no one wants to institute a broad-based tax."

The state has a long history of defeating similar proposals. Opponents of expanding gambling say it will increase crime and problems stemming from compulsive gambling, such a bankruptcies and domestic violence, making gambling a net loss for the state.

In addition to the grand hotels, the proposal would allow 900 machines at each of the state's three dog tracks, and 1,200 machines at one horse-racing facility.

A committee has endorsed the bill, which is scheduled for Thursday's Senate session.

The 5,700 slot machines would generate about $615 million in annual revenue, approximately half of which would be deposited into the general fund. The proposed North Country slot machines alone would generate over a half million dollars in annual revenue.

The bill says video gambling machines include slot machines, video poker machines and other lottery machines.

Gallus said slot machines would bolster the local economy and enhance the grand hotels' status as tourist destinations. They would also provide additional local jobs, he said.

Gallus said the revenue from the machines would allow the state to afford critical budget items such as North Country social services.

"Instead of determining which social services we have to cut, we would have the ability to strengthen these programs," he said. "In the North Country the (small) amount of social services we have are needed."