Summary:
- The company purchased the mall for $5 million.
- The facility would be a charitable gaming casino.
- Plans for the venue will be presented in September.
Casino and sportsbook gaming are on its way to New Hampshire, specifically the Rochester area. New England Gaming and Consulting LLC recently purchased the Lilac Mall for $5 million and want to use a portion of the property for casino gaming.
Plans to create a casino have been sent to the city and will be presented in September.
Charitable Gaming Licensing
New England Gaming holds one of 11 gaming licenses available in New Hampshire for a charitable facility. Already, the state has launched three sportsbooks by the DraftKings brand and three charitable casinos. There are other gaming options in Seabrook and Manchester. Each casino operating in the state must provide a portion of proceeds to charity.
In a statement on the matter, the company said they were excited to invest in charitable gaming in New Hampshire and help raise funds for nonprofits. The company plans to work with local leaders and the community to build the operation and raise money. Estimates project as much as $3 million will be generated annually in Rochester.
Bringing Gaming to Rochester
The City Council seems to be on board for a casino in Rochester. On August 1, the council voted to place a question on the ballot asking voters if they would allow such gaming to be located in the city. A public hearing will take place in mid-October to discuss the matter. Public input can be made at this time.
Back in May, the City Council approved a gaming ordinance that set locations for a casino in the city. Parameters were set, including any gaming floor which will include slots must be 20,000 square feet in size or larger. Casinos can be located in the city highway commercial zone, which would provide easy access for travelers.
This is not the first time that New England Gaming has tried to launch services in New Hampshire. They were approved a few years ago for a smaller gaming facility, but a gaming ordinance was not in place in Rochester. The new facility appears to be placed where the old movie theater was in the shopping mall.
The company is reportedly working with those in the mall, allowing them to stay or helping them relocate. Several businesses plan to stay in the mall, including a dance studio, Subway, and a gymnastics studio. The casino is expected to bring in more traffic to the area, which would help the remaining businesses bring in more clientele.
About the Author
