The new charitable gaming casino is in Shurfine Plaza, which also houses the New Hampshire liquor store. Revo will move into the suite that used to be a grocery store. The new facility will be 11,800 square feet and include a bar, a restaurant, multiple table game options, and electronic gaming machines offering slots, video poker, and more.

Before the new casino can open, the building has to undergo a plumbing, electrical, health/safety building, and a Liquor Commission inspection. Anagnost said, “If we pass all of that, our (certificates of occupancy) would probably be issued Jan. 28 or 29, and probably 48-72 hours after that, we’d be open for business.” He also stated that a soft opening could possibly occur before February 1st.

On opening day, the casino will feature 75 gaming machines and table games, including blackjack, roulette, and poker. An adjacent smoking room with some gaming machines will allow patrons to smoke and enjoy gambling while the main casino floor remains smoke-free.

Anagost also stated that the casino has had more than 200 applicants and that the local community has supported the project, “I don’t think anyone in any of the casinos we’ve opened across the state has received so much attention.”

New Hampshire Casinos

New Hampshire currently has no commercial casinos but has 14 charitable casinos where a portion of the profits go to local charities. These casinos are no different from what you would find anywhere else in the USA except for how the revenue is disbursed.

Current NH gambling laws mandate that 35% of casino game profits go to charity, while another 10% goes to the New Hampshire Lottery for the state’s educational fund. This system has proved beneficial to the state’s bottom line, helping fund educational programs across the state.

However, while online casino options are limited to offshore sites, both in-person and online sports betting have been legal in the state since 2019. Sports betting in the state must also give 51% of online revenue and 50% of in-person revenue to the state.

Located just over the New Hampshire state line, the city of Lawrence is the poorest in the state, and community leaders fear that a new casino-style gaming facility could lead to addiction and further poverty. Despite the concerns and the city asking Salem to reconsider, the state plans to proceed with the project.

On November 26th, the Salem Planning Board voted 5-2 to approve the project slated for the old Lord & Taylor store at The Mall at Rockingham Park. The casino will offer 1,300+ jobs, multiple restaurants, and event space.

New Hampshire Gambling Laws

The state of New Hampshire does not allow commercial casino gaming; however, it does allow charitable gaming. Charitable gaming in the state consists of blackjack, poker, and roulette. While other casino staples such as slots and baccarat are not allowed, the exception for charitable gaming offers residents entertainment and the state additional revenue.

Despite not having full access to class III casino gaming options, the state has 14 charitable gaming facilities that pay 35% of its gross gaming revenues to local charities. Another 10% of revenue goes to the state to fund educational programs.

Lawrence Officials Speak Out

Stephany Infante, vice president of the Lawrence City Council, is concerned that a new casino just over the state line will target residents of Lawrence. She stated to media sources, “In Lawrence, we’re trying to tackle financial struggle, mental health issues, addiction, et cetera, and this is just going to add another component to those challenges.” She also expressed her concern that “People who are struggling financially, or with gambling, which is an addiction, that’s the clientele any casino targets.”

The Lawrence City Council sent a resolution to the Salem Planning Board claiming that Lawrence residents are a primary target for the new casino. Several Lawrence City residents are concerned that a 10-minute drive to a casino could facilitate further criminal activities tied to money laundering.

Are Online Casinos Legal In New Hampshire?

New Hampshire does not license or authorize online casinos within state lines. Despite the restrictions, offshore casinos have been accepting players from New Hampshire and Massachusetts since the late 1990s and have become the go-to option for many players.

Online casino sites offer players popular casino games such as slots, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, poker, sports betting, and more. They also offer bigger bonuses, traditional and non-traditional casino banking options, and more game variations, which makes it easy to see why many players gamble online.